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Jazz Articles about Donny McCaslin
Michael Leonhart Orchestra: The Normyn Suites
by Angelo Leonardi
Gli eclettici sviluppi orchestrali di Michael Leonhart, tra maestosi affreschi evocativi e trascinanti momenti rock e soul, tornano a entusiasmarci con questo magistrale The Normyn Suites, dove la poetica della leggerezza convive con scelte di vivo impatto ritmico e timbrico. Le due forti propensioni musicale dell'autore sono ben bilanciate: quella impressionista (che ha caratterizzato opere ammalianti come Lovers di Nels Cline e il suo The Painted Lady Suite) e quella legata alla popular music, maturata nelle collaborazioni con Steely Dan, ...
Continue ReadingBoris Kozlov: First Things First
by Kyle Simpler
Bass players don't always get the recognition they deserve. While it's easy to see their importance in the rhythm section, they aren't always the first instrument that comes to mind when it comes to the spotlight. There are exceptions, of course, and Boris Kozlov definitely fits into this category. His Posi-Tone debut, First Things First, highlights his skills not only as a player, but also as a composer and bandleader as well. Anyone familiar with the Posi-Tone catalog ...
Continue ReadingBoris Kozlov: First Things First
by John Chacona
During the early days of pandemic-induced isolation, old folkways and techniques suddenly became new again (remember the shortages of baking yeast and canning supplies?). The old ways are nothing new at Posi-Tone records, which has maintained an unflagging allegiance to swing, juicy melodies and fiery playing. Those qualities, all present on bassist Boris Kozlov's First Things First, situate this recording firmly within Posi-Tone's house style, one that calls back to the glory days of Blue Note Records. So, it's no ...
Continue ReadingRachel Eckroth: The Garden
by Jerome Wilson
Pianist and composer Rachel Eckroth travels a twisty road on this CD, creating an ever-changing mix of jazz, prog rock, and fusion which utilizes off- center beats and swarming electronic effects. Eckroth's music is a little different on each track. Sometimes it builds up from layers of piano and synthesizers. At other times it works out of the basic piano trio format. Everything she creates, though, has an edgy, ominous atmosphere which lends itself as much to dark ...
Continue ReadingRachel Eckroth: The Garden
by Vic Albani
Approccio numero uno: Non so se ve ne siete accorti ma esistono dischi che al primo ascolto ti fanno dire “ok." Al secondo “eh però...." Al terzo “Cribbio... Wow! Ma cosa stavo ascoltando le altre due volte?." Al quarto, se volete giocare con i maledetti voti, siamo già vicini al “beh cinque stelle e forse oltre..." Poi, necessariamente devi riconsiderare tutto e passi ad un ascolto davvero analitico, ragionato e capisci che però, forse, è proprio così. ...
Continue ReadingDon Peretz: Dikson
by Dan Bilawsky
Dikson takes its name from a sparsely populated arctic port located in northern Russia. And its music, though heated by strong individualists, largely reflects that origin, embodying the powerfully icy atmosphere of its influence. Masterminded by drummer Don Peretz, this eight-song jazz-tronica journey, nodding toward a remote realm at the top of the world, bumps, grooves and gives off an arresting, frigid energy that's all its own. Combing through hours of playing from the likes of tenor ...
Continue ReadingRachel Eckroth: The Garden
by Mike Jurkovic
One of the Phoenix's brightest lights, pianist-composer-vocalist Rachel Eckroth, who has ably added depth to the music of such polar opposites as Chris Botti, Rufus Wainwright, and St. Vincent, leaves no stone unturned in The Garden, her darkly convincing, Rainy Day Records debut. It is immediately apparent that Eckroth hears things unlike the rest of us. Her music is a prowling evolution, full of darkness yet attainable, redeemable light. Without hesitancy, she shapes and seizes, assembles, dissects, and ...
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