Jazz Articles about John Novello

like 129

Niacin: Time Crunch

by John W. Patterson
December 1, 2001

This is a first for me. I open a demo package and am so impressed I begin the review before the CD is finished. This release is THAT important. Jazzers will dig this. Fusion heads will get into it. Prog rock fans will drool. Rockers will bang heads. And anyone who loves awesome keys, monster bass and slammin' drums MUST grab this. I received this CD and liner notes “naked" and I instantly assembled a fine jewel case for this ...

like 330

Andy Summers: Peggy's Blue Skylight

by Todd S. Jenkins
March 1, 2001

The former Police guitarist assays the multifaceted works of Charles Mingus on this compelling disc, offering updates of the temperamental bassist’s timeless compositions. Summers previously tackled solid material by Mingus, Wayne Shorter, Thelonious Monk and other jazzmen on his 1997 project The Last Dance of Mr. X, with bassist Tony Levin and drummer Gregg Bissonette. Peggy’s Blue Skylight finds Summers and a wider cast mining Mingus’ legacy more deeply, revealing that these classic tunes still have plenty to offer contemporary ...

like 206

Niacin: Deep

by Glenn Astarita
April 1, 2000

One of the few modern day champions of the Hammond-B3 organ trio, “Niacin” now record for progressive-rock/fusion label “Magna Carta” and with their 3rd USA release, Deep the musicians do indeed, sway their hard driving ways a bit more towards the prog/fusion realm. Deep may be the trio’s finest effort to date! With this release, “Niacin” not only kicks out the jams while often trading heavy fours intermingled with a huge wall of sound yet also intertwine powerful funk-rock backbeats ...

like 165

John Novello, Billy Sheehan, Dennis Chambers: Niacin

by Glenn Astarita
April 1, 1997

In the dictionary the word “Niacin" refers to an ingredient inherent within Vitamin B Complex. This new recording on Chick Corea's “Stretch" label pays homage to the wonderful sound, intricacies and possibilities of that wonderful instrument: The Hammond B-3.

John Novello takes the lead here on the B3 and assorted keyboards. Rock super bassist Billy Sheehan and drum hero Dennis Chambers round out this extremely energetic and well focused date. In the liner notes, Mr. Novello writes ...