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Boris 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 ReadingFarnell Newton: Feel The Love
by David A. Orthmann
Posi-Tone Records produces coherent projects and maintains high standards in part by keeping things in-house; that is, frequently drawing on a substantial roster of affiliated artists to serve on a particular leader's record. A case in point is Feel The Love, Farnell Newton's third release for the label. While Newton's measured, concise, full-toned trumpet stylings and five, melodically rich compositions are a large part of the record's appeal, there are other factors that stand out. By turns ...
Continue ReadingFarnell Newton: Feel The Love
by Kyle Simpler
When cellist Pablo Casals was 93 years old, someone asked him why he still spent hours a day practising. Casals humorously replied that it was because he was beginning to notice some improvement. Like Casals, many other musicians spend hours practising and, in most cases, this dedication comes purely from a true love of music. Trumpet player Farnell Newton is no exception and, with Feel The Love, his passion for music is evident throughout. During the first two ...
Continue ReadingArt Hirahara: Open Sky
by David A. Orthmann
At the close of each track of Art Hirahara's Open Sky it feels like the slate gets wiped clean and the record begins anew. The disc is rife with turnabouts and the contrasts in character of the thirteen performances are often startling. In the first four cuts alone, an insistent post-bop line ("Groundswell") gives way to elegant, deep-seated swing ("Inimitably, Mr. B."), followed by the leader's deliciously slow, almost fragile solo piano ("Peony"), and a decidedly percussive conversation between four ...
Continue ReadingLisa Hilton: Transparent Sky
by Mike Jurkovic
It is a real wonder why a genuinely and generously creative spirit such as pianist Lisa Hilton hasn't broken through to a larger audience. Her philosophy of new ideas tied to older heartbeats, countered effusively by an actively improvisational impressionism, has resulted in a discography brightly colored with real beauts such as Chalkboard Destiny (2019), Oasis (2018), Escapism (2017), Day & Night (2016) and Nocturnal, (2016) (all on her own Ruby Slippers Productions.) Now add Transparent Sky to ...
Continue ReadingRudy Royston: In This Moment
by David Bixler
Drummer and composer Rudy Royston has created new music for his band Flatbed Buggy for the In this Moment concert series at St. Peter's Church in NYC which will be streamed May 1st at 2pm EST. The music is loosely programmatic, representing a day in the life of the composer in the time of Covid. In the episode of Liner Notes, Rudy sheds light on how the pandemic has affected him both as a person and as a ...
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