Recording News

Geoffrey Armes Releases New CD/Download "Hemisphere"

Source: Michael Ricci
September 5, 2009

This is to let you know that Geoffrey Armes has a new CD/Download release entitled HEMISPHERE. The music is freewheeling 'live' ambience, richly detailed for the listener using headphones. Thanks very much for listening... and indeed buying... you can now download directly and using code COOLFRIEND obtain tracks for as low as 69 cents each. One track will be offered for free download via AAJ as well. The official press release reads: The new release from Geoffrey Armes represents ...

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Announcing New Recommendations at Rifftides

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
September 5, 2009

Eddie Higgins, Standards by Request, 1st Day and 2nd Day(Venus). Among those mourning Higgins' death are virtually all other jazz pianists and the Japanese. He was a celebrity among the large and enthusiastic coterie of listeners in Japan who are devoted to piano jazz. Higgins recorded nearly two dozen albums for Japan's Venus label. These solo CDs from 2008 present him in all of his sleek melodicism, harmonic resourcefulness, subtle swing and quiet wit. Most of these interpretations of standards ...

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Brian Setzer Collects His Classics for a Cool Yule

Source: Michael Ricci
September 5, 2009

Brian Setzer is “the new king of jingle bell rock" (Billboard) and on October 13, Surfdog will re-release the perfect Setzer treat for all good boys and girls: 'Christmas Rocks! The Best of Collection' and the new 'Ultimate Christmas Collection'. 'Christmas Rocks!' brings together the best songs from his two Christmas albums, 'Dig That Crazy Christmas' and 'Boogie Woogie Christmas'- favorites like “Jingle Bells, “ “You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch, “ “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It ...

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The Motet:Dig Deep

Source: JamBase
September 5, 2009

By: Bill Clifford

With its sixth studio recording, Dig Deep (available for free download on the band's website), The Motet continues to mix dance oriented electronica sounds with rich Afrobeat and Latin tinged funk. It's an evolution of the sound that drummer Dave Watts began to delve into with the group's 2006 release, Instrumental Dissent. Dig Deep was recorded and produced by Watts at his home studio in Boulder, Colorado.

The sound of Dig Deep remains anchored in Afro-Cuban and ...

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James Moody and Kenny Barron Release 4A on IPO Recordings

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
September 5, 2009

Respected and versatile saxophone player James Moody has collaborated with legendary pianist Kenny Barron on a recent offering on the IPO Recordings imprint titled 4A.

4A features eight instrumental tracks of classic jazz painted with the colors of every level of saxophone from Moody and embellished with beautiful piano passages from the smooth and timely delivery of Barron.

Although Moody is known for his longtime work with jazz icon Dizzy Gillespie he ...

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Benny Reid to Release New Album

Source: On Target Media Group
September 5, 2009

On September 15th, Concord Jazz Records will release Escaping Shadows, the new album from jazz saxophonist Benny Reid. On his new release, 28-year-old Reid reveals the next vital step in his maturation as an adventurous artist and an ambitious composer. The album features nine originals and one cover song. Noteworthy originals include the volume-surging, rock-grooved “Facing the Edge” and the hybrid “New Days” that starts with a jazz groove followed by a jungle beat in the middle section. The lone ...

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Grimedia & Impressus Records Release Cardinal!

Source: All About Jazz
September 4, 2009

Cardinal is a project, like many of those relying on improvisation, that was accomplished in a three-day studio meeting. The participating individuals had previously collaborated on separate projects – (Cosottini-Miano had produced “The Curvature of Pace”, Impressus-GRIM 2007, and Cosottini-Melani-Pisani where part of the EAQuartet Electroacoustic Quartet, GRIM 2007) – but never before in this fashion. The title, in reference to the four cardinal points, was chosen to reflect a multidirectional sound, and thus the choice ...

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Jazzed Media Releases the Jack Cortner Big Band "Sound Check" CD

Source: Michael Ricci
September 4, 2009

Jazzed Media announces the September 8, 2009 release of the Jack Cortner Big Band “Sound Check" CD. “Sound Check" is the second big band recording in which Jack Cortner features Marvin Stamm's trumpet and flugelhorn playing. As on the first Jazzed Media album, “Fast Track", the “Sound Check" musicians are among the leading artists in New York's intersecting jazz and studio communities. CD He is a great arranger, and this band of New York's finest musicians love playing his music. ...

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