Jazz Articles about Gary Novak

About Gary Novak

Album Review

Randal Clark's Imaginary World stretches beyond the conscious boundaries and illuminates the dark corners. It's clear from the onset that it is steeped in jazz tradition with a giant foothold on both rhythmic and melodic foundations. Clark establishes himself early and never lets go. Too often a buoyant blast off can ultimately fade away into the abyss of both the imaginary and conscious recesses of the mind or a once steaming groove can melt into the wallpaper. Even the most ...

Album Review

Melbreeze: I Love Paris

Read "I Love Paris" reviewed by Jim Worsley

by Jim Worsley
February 21, 2021

"I Love Paris" declares Melbreeze in song. It “fucking sizzles" she exclaims, adding just a tad of creative expression to the lyrics of Cole Porter. The delightful ambiance of France was the perfect vacation spot (if only in one's mind) to celebrate the unveiling of her tenth—yes, its been that many-- record. Melbreeze has long put the instrumental aspect upfront or on top. Her voice is often heard as another cog in her crafty musical structure. Ah, ...

Album Review

Silvio Amato: Variations Of Relevance

Read "Variations Of Relevance" reviewed by Jim Worsley

by Jim Worsley
April 16, 2020

Silvio Amato has a well-established career as a composer, arranger, and film scorer. Amongst other projects, the Italian-born pianist has written soundtracks for major motion pictures, a multitude of pieces for children's television programming, theme songs for a variety of television shows, and has been highly successful with ice ballets. His compositions for Peter Pan, Snow White, and Beauty and the Beast have been taken to the ice all over Europe. He has also composed pop music. Coupled with a ...

Album Review

Jimmy Haslip/Scott Kinsey/Gergo Borlai: ARC Trio

by Jim Worsley
March 28, 2020

A distant relative of Jimmy Haslip's first record as a leader, Arc (GRP, 1993), Arc Trio is a breath of fresh air. The core trio of Haslip, Scott Kinsey, and Gergo Borlai intelligently reimagine the fusion genre. While embracing essential elements of fusion past, they bring an enlightened vision to the epicenter as well as a broad spectrum of well-rooted branches. Each song feeds seamlessly into the next in a presentation that is intended to be captured in its entirety. ...

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Album Review

Action Figure Party: Action Figure Party

Read "Action Figure Party" reviewed by Mike Robinson

by Mike Robinson
November 1, 2001

I thought Art Good was nuts. There, on the Sunday morning lineup of the 2001 JazzTrax Catalina Island Festival was this band, “Action Figure Party." “Action Figure Party?!"The band consists of twentysomething musicians from bands like “Garbage," “Buck Cherry," “Incubus," and “Beck." One of the musicians' names is “Flea." Another goes by “Yogi," and a third, with the more-promising sounding name of Sean Lennon, plays... umm... turntable??While some of my friends quietly decided that maybe they ...

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Album Review

Various Artists: A Twist of Jobim

Read "A Twist of Jobim" reviewed by Douglas Payne

by Douglas Payne
May 1, 1997

This appropriately “smooth jazz" tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim is perhaps one of the best that's come out over the last few years. Like many of Jobim's records, it goes down like a smooth, relaxing drink. Producer, arranger and nominal leader guitarist Lee Ritenour has collected some fine talent, particularly frequent collaborator Dave Grusin, and crafted some very nice moments throughout. Highlights include “Water to Drink" (featuring Ritenour and Grusin), “Captain Bacardi" (an old Ritenour / Grusin staple with Eric ...