Recording News

Wadada Leo Smith's Mbira - Dark Lady of the Sonnets (2012)

Source: Something Else!
January 10, 2012

Trumpeter, composer and bandleader Wadada Leo Smith, who celebrated his 70th birthday just last month, is as productive as he's ever been, and I'm getting nearly exhausted just keeping up covering all his new releases. Lately, he's headed up three active bands: The Golden Quartet, Organic and the Silver Orchestra. Now's there's a fourth one: Wadada Leo Smith's Mbira. “Mbira" is an African thumb piano, the primary instrument used by the Shona people of Zimbabwe. But there's no thumb piano ...

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Paul McCartney Confirms New Album Title and Tracklist

Source: JamBase
January 10, 2012

KISSES ON THE BOTTOM OUT FEBRUARY 7 On December 19 2011 Paul McCartney announced that February 2012 would see the release of his brand new studio album. Scores of fans then streamed the new original track 'My Valentine,' many assuming it would be the new record's title track. While a few Twitter hints have been dropped and rumors have run rampant, Paul puts an end to speculation today, confirming that the album will indeed be titled Kisses On The Bottom. ...

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The Doors: "She Smells so Nice"

Source: JamBase
January 10, 2012

“THE YEAR OF THE DOORS" UNDERWAY WITH 40TH ANNIVERSARY REISSUE OF ICONIC L.A. WOMAN ALBUM The Doors have officially debuted the first new, completely unreleased song in 40 years, “She Smells So Nice." The bluesy track captures the band—organist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, drummer John Densmore and late singer Jim Morrison—joyfully barreling through the full-throttle original. Bruce Botnick, the album's co-producer with the band, recently made the discovery while reviewing the L.A. Woman session tapes for the 40th anniversary ...

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Groove Notes 10 Best Jazz Albums of 2011

Source: Groove Notes
January 9, 2012

I realize that there are a lot of people who do not care for the word “best" when it comes to music. To those, you may also call this list “Kevin's Favorite Jazz Albums of 2011" if you'd like. Regardless, it is simply my opinion of 10 releases that stood out to me over the past year (with an informal ranking). Enjoy!

Live in Marciac—Brad Mehldau (Nonesuch, February 2, 2011) Bird Songs—Joe Lovano/Us Five (EMI Catalogue, March 21, 2011) Three ...

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Calvin Keys "Shawn-Neeq" Reissued on 180g Vinyl

Source: Tompkins Square
January 9, 2012

Calvin Keys' debut Shawn-Neeq will be reissued on 180g vinyl LP tomorrow, Jan 10, on Tompkins Square. The LP is now available for purchase at tompkinssquare.com Originally released on the influential label Black Jazz in 1971, guitarist Calvin Keys' debut is a stone classic waiting to be re-discovered. The funky, deep grooves and Calvin's singular guitar stylings, coupled with a heady collaborative feel that inhabits so many early '70's jazz recordings, are all on beautiful display. 40 years later, Tompkins ...

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Bass Legend Jeff Berlin Records An Astonishing New CD

Source: Glass Onyon PR - Keith James
January 9, 2012

Clearwater, FL—Insiders who have heard bass legend Jeff Berlin's newest CD are buzzing about the forthcoming release—a release that they are saying could possibly be the greatest bass album of all time! The word is that Jeff Berlin has recorded a jazz CD so astonishing that the artist himself is in shock with what he played! “I prepared for it by practicing 5 hours a day for weeks," Jeff explains. “What came of my preparation was to record solos on ...

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Kenny Werner - Lawn Chair Society (2007)

Source: Something Else!
January 9, 2012

When I think of the the overlap of jazz and funk, ensembles that come to mind are Herbie Hancock's Headhunters, On The Corner-era Miles, and even some of the smoother offerings out of the CTI label. In more recent times, Medeski Martin and Wood have really been laying it down. If I was to reorganize my record collection by genre, Kenny Werner's Lawn Chair Society would proudly sit beside the other titles on the jazz/funk shelf. The lineup a stellar ...

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Pink Martini - Hang on Little Tomato (2004)

Source: Something Else!
January 8, 2012

What with all of the bits of nasty weather, work deadlines, etc ... a person can get just plain frazzled. So what's needed on the drive to work is some romantic and swanky musings. Pink Martini definitely fits the bill. The suave Oregon-based collective bravely mixes together influences from many, many genres to produce something completely unique. I can't even give it a label. In fact, let's not even try. Just consider this giant array of instruments: trumpet, trombone, violin, ...

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