Jazz Articles about Various Artists

Various Artists: Anthology of Swing Strings (1930s-1950s): Professor Visits Harlem or Swingin

by Andrew Velez
May 13, 2009

The strings go zing-zinging on Professor Visits Harlem. Quite unlike any other anthology you're likely to have run into of late, we're treated to three decades of jazz string ensembles, starting off “Two Violins One Siday," a group whose 1931 take on “Dinah" is very finah. It was not until the '30s that the jazz swing string ensemble really took off. The earliest example here from that period is the Bay Ensemble, with an absence of any ...

Various Artists: Pirouet Jazz Compilation Vol. I: The Best Is Yet to Come

by Woodrow Wilkins
March 20, 2009

One good way to kick start a jazz collection for the beginner is to explore a compilation--if not the best of a particular artist, then perhaps the varied selections of multiple artists assigned to a label. In this effort, Pirouet Records' Pirouet Jazz Compilation Vol. I: The Best Is Yet to Come brings together 11 songs from 10 of the label's recent releases. Trumpeter Tim Hagans' “See You Again," from Alone Together (2008), begins the almost 80-minute collection. ...

The Story of Jazz Guitar

by AAJ Staff
January 27, 2009

While in its early days, jazz guitar was considered a rhythm instrument alongside the banjo of Dixieland. In 1940, Charlie Christian and his Gibson ES-150 changed that and elevated guitar to lead instrument status alongside the saxophone and trumpet--instruments that could acoustically cut through the sound of a piano-bass-drums rhythm section. Here, we encapsulate some of the progenitors of jazz guitar and their contributions to the music. The Beginnings: Blind Lemon Jefferson Blind Lemon Jefferson played ...

Various Artists: Wish You Too. Best Christmas Ever.

by Nic Jones
January 11, 2009

If there's such a thing as a cliche about the only Christmas-themed compilation you'll ever need, then this one was made to justify its existence as it's probably that very thing. It's a riot too, of the sort likely to upset the purist as it takes in both Booker T. And The M.G's and the Ramones.

But that's not the only thing that lifts the spirit. Binky Griptite's slinky “World Of Love" is filled with sincere optimism, even while it ...

Various Artists: 55 Years Of Blues

by Nic Jones
January 10, 2009

Surely over half a century is more than long enough for anyone to have the blues? Well in Delmark's case the answer's a resounding negative, especially in view of what's on offer here. The very position of the label has of course ensured that it's documented the Chicago scene closely, but as this compilation shows that's only part of the story.

Big Joe Williams, complete with his patented nine-string guitar, is a case in point. More than distinct echoes of ...

Various Artists: 55 Years Of Jazz

by Nic Jones
December 22, 2008

This isn't so much a compilation as it is a celebration of an American institution. As the title suggests, Delmark records has been around for over half a century and on the basis of the evidence offered here, it's not difficult to see why. The label has always been a broad church--how can that not be true with releases out by both Art Hodes and Roscoe Mitchell?--and the diversity presented in this release really brings the point home.

As the ...

Various Artists: Remixed4

by Chris M. Slawecki
November 13, 2008

It's reasonable to wonder if this fourth installment in the series, in which contemporary hip-hop, trance and other electronic music producers remake/remodel classics from the Verve label group catalog, has finally returned one time too often to this same well. But em>Remixed4 keeps things interesting by venturing into tunes by other artists working outside the traditional jazz canon.

A dark and stormy remix reinforces the strongly acid, bitter taste of Dinah Washington's original vocal in “Cry Me A ...