Recording News

For Your Valentine, Al Jarreau's Love Songs Available January 29

Source: All About Jazz
January 3, 2008

Seven-Time Grammy Winner Takes a Chance on Romance with a 14-Track Collection Featuring His Favorite Love Songs Gathered from Three Decades of Critically Acclaimed Albums

LOS ANGELES - Al Jarreau's unique vocal style is one of the world's most precious treasures. His innovative musical expressions have made him one of the most exciting and critically acclaimed performers of our time with seven Grammy Awards, scores of international music awards and popular accolades worldwide. A heart-melting crooner who singed with Reprise ...

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The Complete Lionel Hampton Victor Sessions 1937-41 - Mosaic Records Limited Edition Box Set

Source: All About Jazz
December 31, 2007

"Motored by a seemingly limitless supply of energy and stamina, Hampton's playing is known the world over for its relentless physicality, unhampered technical facility, and a seemingly imperturbale inventiveness." --Gunther Schuller, The Swing Era Would we know how jazz is played on the vibes without Lionel Hampton? He introduced the concept of personality to an instrument thought to be sterile and cold; showed how to solo with authority and accompany with grace; taught how to make the instrument express emotions ...

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The Quincy Jones ABC/Mercury Big Band Jazz Sessions - Mosaic Records Limited Edition Box Set

Source: All About Jazz
December 31, 2007

"Musicians are quick to recognize pretentions or falsehoods, but such attributes are never mentioned in Quincy's connection. Only admiration, and a certain amazement as to what he achieved, are the standard reactions." --Brian Priestley, liner notes It didn't make sense economically, didn't make sense logistically, didn't provide ego satisfaction for star players, but Quincy Jones formed a big band. For the sheer sake of the music. And because of their love for Quincy, an exceptional group of musicians signed on ...

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Cyrus Chestnut Champions the Music of a Charlie Brown Christmas

Source: LRI Publicity
December 29, 2007

There are lots of reasons why “A Charlie Brown Christmas" has become an enduring classic since its TV debut in 1965: its gentle wit and wisdom, its slyly subversive message about consumerism and the true meaning of Christmas. But don't discount the buoyant jazz score, written by pianist Vince Guaraldi (1928-76) and now instantly recognizable to millions.

Cyrus Chestnut, a leading jazz pianist who is known for his swinging, gospel-tinged conception, has loved the music since he was a kid ...

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Music Reviews: In the Age of Downloads, CDs Still Reign in Jazz

Source: LRI Publicity
December 29, 2007

Somehow, in the age of downloads, iPods, file sharing and what-not, great jazz keeps turning up on compact disc.

The proof lies in this year's best recordings, which range from the vastness of trumpeter Terence Blanchard's “A Tale of God's Will (A Requiem for Katrina)" to the intimacy of saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi's free-ranging “Tenorist" to the muscular virtuosity of pianist Joey Calderazzo's “Amanecer."

The systems for distributing music may be in flux, but the sounds themselves still thrill:

1. Terence ...

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New CD from Drummer Warren Benbow

Source: All About Jazz
December 26, 2007

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Ubiquity to Release: Eric Lau / New Territories on March 18

Source: All About Jazz
December 25, 2007

ERIC LAU: NEW TERRITORIES (UBIQUITY CD/LP) (UR227)

His slick and edgy productions have turned the ears of Gilles Peterson (Lau appeared on his Brownswood Bubblers release of October 2006) and Fat City Records who released Eric Lau Presents Dudley & Friends in January 2007. Tastemakers and peers like Benji B (BBC Radio 1Xtra) called Lau's sounds “Heavy!", Phonte (of Little Brother) added that Lau is “One of the illest beatmakers", Dudley Perkins (Stones Throw) said “His music did something to ...

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Drummer Warren Benbow Releases "SJQ"

Source: All About Jazz
December 25, 2007

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