Jazz Articles about Various Artists

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Various Artists: Jazz For A Rainy Afternoon

by Jim Santella
September 1, 1998

Chill out. Calm down. Mellow. Put those financial statements in the desk drawer, throw another log on the fire, curl up on the sofa and listen to this compilation. Producer Joel Dorn figured these reissued items would have that effect on listeners, and they do. Warren Vache's portrayal of “I Can't Get Started," with piano trio, lifts his cornet voice high above your head. “St. Louis Blues" comes from the quintet of vibraphonist Johnny Lytle, guitarist Melvin Sparks, organist David ...

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Various Artists: Jazz a Saint Germain

by Robert Spencer
September 1, 1998

Jazz A Saint-Germain is designed to evoke the Bohemian atmosphere of Paris during the German occupation. A series of vocalists (including Angelique Kidjo, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dee Dee's daughter China, Deborah Harry, and many more) turn in a series of highly original takes on standard English and French fare; most achieve a smoky, highly-charged feel, but within this obvious goal there is a tremendous variety. China sounds traditionally breathy and mournful on “Lover Man," but on “Les Joyeux Bouchers" Catherine ...

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Various Artists: Legends of Acid Jazz: Hammond Heroes

by Douglas Payne
June 1, 1998

Legends of Acid Jazz-Hammond Heroes offers few advantages more than a gathering of solid soul-jazz tunes. It is, however, a decent (if not essential) collection of “Hammond heroes." But nearly every track here actually pre-dates what has come to be considered “acid jazz." If Prestige were to tap the Hammond heroes of its acid jazz period, you'd see names like Leon Spencer, Charles Kynard, Bill Mason or Sonny Phillips and later offerings by Groove Holmes or Johnny “Hammond" Smith.

Nomenclature ...

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Various Artists: The Instrumental History of Jazz

by John Sharpe
May 1, 1998

For all those who ask the question “how do I get started with jazz"? this deluxe 2 CD set is the perfect answer. Starting with Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag (1917) and ending with Geri Allen's 1992 recording of Dolphy's Dance, this package covers a lot of ground. The 22 tracks present a representative tune from each of 10 different jazz genres. The enclosed 52 page booklet is jam packed with vital information on the music and the people who ...

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Various Artists: Kickin' Some Brass

by Joel Roberts
May 1, 1998

Brass bands were around before jazz was born. And while they've mostly disappeared from the American musical landscape, in New Orleans, where it all began, they've never gone away. Brass bands remain a part of life in the Big Easy, where they still perform in public events like funerals, parades, and Mardi Gras.

Over the past twenty years, a number of innovative new brass bands, led by the Dirty Dozen, have been pushing the limits of this traditional music by ...

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Various Artists: Crime Jazz: Music in the First Degree; Crime Jazz: Music in the Second Degree

by Joel Roberts
March 1, 1998

The hard-boiled television and movie crime drama had its heyday from about 1950 to 1965. These mostly forgotten B-movies and early TV series were usually set in a gritty urban landscape, and revolved around a cop or private dick who was violent when he needed to be, and suave and romantic when he wanted to be. The names of these characters alone evoke a nostalgic, if testosterone overdosed, image of the romantic Hollywood tough guy. Mike Hammer. Johnny Staccato. Peter ...

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Various Artists: Swingin' Jazz for Hipsters Vol. 2

by Robert Spencer
February 1, 1998

Again with the hipsters. Same packaging, same kind of track selection, even much the same personnel as Volume One. This time we have Jim Hall with a sprightly version of “Bemsha Swing," Ken Peplowski as “Mr Gentle & Mr. Cool," Charlie Byrd's “Frenesi," Gary Burton with “Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs (Theme From 'Frasier')," Frank Vignola and “Tico Tico," the Heath Brothers with “Dave's Haze," Brother Jack McDuff doing (are you ready?) “The Age of Aquarius," Gerry Mulligan and Scott ...