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Lisa Hilton: Lucky All Along
by Neil Duggan
Another Lisa Hilton album, and for many the world seems a better place. Lucky All Along is the pianist's 30th release, proving that it can take a long time to be considered a jazz success story. Her blend of jazz, Latin, pop and blues means she counts the number of plays on streaming services in the millions and her albums bother the top of those charts which count radio plays and numbers of downloads. She is not considered particularly hip ...
Continue ReadingDiego Rivera: Ofrenda
by David A. Orthmann
Tenor and soprano saxophonist Diego Rivera has amassed an impressive track record on the Posi-Tone imprint as a leader, sideman, and other projects curated by producer Marc Free. Ofrenda, a ten-movement suite, is a vehicle for Rivera's impressions of aspects of altars corresponding with the traditional Mexican holiday Día De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). In essence, an ofrenda is usually created by and placed in the home of the family of a person who has passed away.
Continue ReadingDiego Rivera: Ofrenda
by Kyle Simpler
El Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) is a time to honor deceased loved ones. Although the holiday originated in Mexico, many other cultures have embraced the tradition. One of its traditional features is an ofrenda, which is a traditional altar, generally placed in the home, containing several different items ranging from food to religious items. To an outsider, the celebration might seem somber and mournful, but this is not entirely the case. El Dia de los ...
Continue ReadingJosh Lawrence: Measured Response
by David A. Orthmann
Art Hirahara's brief, cryptic solo piano intro to “Where Do We Go?," the opening track of trumpeter/flugelhornist Josh Lawrence's album, offers little indication of what immediately follows: Lawrence's warm-toned, delectable horn surrounded by relaxed, straightforward, middling-tempo swing courtesy of bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Rudy Royston. This intriguing transition sets the stage for a recording that establishes a loose continuity amid changes in mood and temperament. Measured Response encompasses an impressive stylistic reach. “A Tragic Tango Comedy" ...
Continue ReadingAmina Figarova & Matsiko World Orphan Choir: Suite For Africa
by Dan McClenaghan
Happenstance played a hand in two of pianist Amina Figarova's finest recordings. The first time around it was September Suite (Munich Records, 2005). Though based in the Netherlands at the time, Figarova was staying in New York City when the planes flew into the World Trade Center buildings on September 11th, 2001. The music for the album was her reaction to the event, to the grief and mourning it caused. Heading a superb sextet, she created a beautiful ode to ...
Continue ReadingRudy Royston: DAY
by Vic Albani
Rudy Royston, batterista di prima classe (Bill Frisell, Dave Douglas, JD Allen, Ben Allison, Rudresh Mahanthappa e molti altri), approda con Day alla sua quinta uscita per l'etichetta del signor Dave Douglas, Greenleaf. Day è la seconda uscita dei Flatbed Buggy, vale a dire dell'avventuroso combo creato dal batterista con l'aiuto delle bass lines di Joe Martin, dei clarinetti di John Ellis, del violoncello di Hank Roberts e della fisarmonica di Gary Versace. L'idea base del lavoro omaggia la giovinezza ...
Continue ReadingBehn Gillece: Stick Together
by David A. Orthmann
While Behn Gillece's Stick Together, the vibraphonist's seventh disc for the Posi-Tone imprint, includes an abundance of highlights and exciting moments, there is something more substantive here than a band of excellent players constantly going full bore. The disc functions within the parameters of tried-and-true modern jazz practices, yet the difference between it and releases that bear a stylistic resemblance lies in a distinctive group sound that stays front and center amid compelling individual contributions. Regardless of ...
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