Jazz Articles about Randy Brecker

About Randy Brecker

Album Review

Chris Standring: Wonderful World

Read "Wonderful World" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
July 29, 2021

Wonderful World, the fourteenth album as leader by British guitarist Chris Standring, was no doubt recorded with the best of intentions. And make no mistake, the music is warm and lovely, furnishing an opulent showcase for Standring's mellow guitar. Aside from that, however, there's not a whole lot to say. Standring's “orchestra" consists of a nineteen-member string section, while Geoff Gascoyne's syrupy arrangements call to mind popular string-laden sessions from the 1950s and '60s, “easy listening" albums for “late-night lovers" ...

Album Review

Albare: Plays Jobim Vol. 2

Read "Plays Jobim Vol. 2" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki

by Chris M. Slawecki
June 25, 2021

"I was 14 when I first heard the music of Tom Jobim," recalls Albare, nom de guerre of guitarist Albert Dadon. “I already had six years of guitar learning under my belt. When I first heard those bossa chords, my ears were opened in a whole new way. A musical seed was planted in my brain that would never leave me." Plays Jobim Vol. 2 continues the story from Volume 1, released in May 2020, and polishes many ...

Album Review

Antonio Tosques and Multi-Form Band: Touch Me

Read "Touch Me" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello

by Nicholas F. Mondello
June 3, 2021

With the possible exception of the upright bass (where it's more of a pas a deux), a guitar allows its player to bring the instrument intimately close to their heart and inner voice. The fingered manipulation of strings can trigger caresses, teases, intensities and poetry. Played well, as it is here on this excellent recording from guitarist/composer/educator Antonio Tosques and the Multi-Form Band, the music can speak from the player's soul to the listener's. With Touch Me, ...

Album Review

Randal Clark: Imaginary World

Read "Imaginary World" reviewed by Jim Worsley

by Jim Worsley
May 28, 2021

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

Benjamin Koppel: The Ultimate Soul & Jazz Revue

Read "The Ultimate Soul & Jazz Revue" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki

by Chris M. Slawecki
April 21, 2021

Listen to music long enough, and it's almost bound to happen: You're not sure exactly what you want to listen to, but you know that whatever you listen to needs must bump and groove. The Ultimate Soul & Jazz Revue, an anthology of American jazz, soul and R&B recorded live at a Copenhagen music festival by Danish saxophonist Benjamin Koppel and his big band, is some first-rate scratch for that itch. Ultimate Soul & Jazz neatly packages Koppel's ...

Album Review

Albare: Plays Jobim Vol. 2

Read "Plays Jobim Vol. 2" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
February 12, 2021

Albare Plays Jobim, Vol. 2 by Moroccan-born, Israeli-raised guitarist Albare (the only name given) isn't quite what it seems. While the names of the musicians and guest artists are listed on the jacket, what is not addressed is the presence of a string orchestra, the only suggestion of which is pianist Joe Chindamo's designation as “orchestra conductor." That's it. Perhaps, however, that is for the best, as the unnamed orchestra is recorded at arm's length and serves essentially as a ...

Album Review

David Broza: En Casa Limon

Read "En Casa Limon" reviewed by Phillip Woolever

by Phillip Woolever
January 24, 2021

Imitation is often said to be the highest form of flattery, but independent inspiration forged into similar styling is a much higher art. That's the case here with guitarist David Broza, whose admiration for flamenco icons led to a marvelous album holding many delights. After living in Spain during some of his teenage years, Broza's focus over the decades on Spanish guitar comprised various formative influences from folk, blues and acoustic rock, recently melded even tighter with the ...