Recording News

Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo - Songs of Mirth and Melancholy (Marsalis Music, 2011)

Source: Music and More by Tim Niland
September 7, 2011

Tenor and soprano saxophonist Branford Marsalis pares back to a saxophone and piano duet format, joined by longtime colleague Joey Calderazzo for a subtle ballad oriented program. Slow themes abound, but on the two pieces where Marsalis switches to tenor saxophone, the opener “One Way" and “Endymion" his unique muscularity on the bigger horn comes through. I must admit a personal preference for Marsalis on the tenor saxophone, I've loved his sound on the instrument for a long time. That ...

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Tim Collins - Castles and Hilltops (2011)

Source: Something Else!
September 7, 2011

As a musician, Collins is the complete package: performer, composer, bandleader. This we know from his 2007 debut Valcour, when he was largely introduced to the world as a vibraphonist with great range and inventiveness in the manner of Bobby Hutcherson. On that record, he led a sextet of equally hungry young players over a dynamic set of songs. But there has always been more to this master's degree graduate from Manhattan School of Music than just jazz. Around the ...

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Clear - Never Falling Again (2011)

Source: Something Else!
September 7, 2011

With Never Falling Again, Clear explores the devastation left behind as relationships end—yet somehow comes away with a collection of songs that's startlingly beautiful. That's no easy feat. But the Canadian band's deft blending of pop, folk and jazz styles ensure that no matter how dark the subject matter, this album never falls into lonely crepuscular clichés. Instead, Clear—led by singer Sue Johnson and guitarist Christian Patterson—are as empathetic as they are musically adventurous. Take the lithe pop number “Maybe ...

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Dee Bell releases "Sagacious Grace" with Houston Person, Al Plank, John Stowell, Michael Spiro, Colin Bailey and John Wiitala

Source: Dee Bell
September 6, 2011

Former Concord Jazz Recording Artist Dee Bell Moves to the Laser Label with the new album Sagacious Grace (Cat #0708). Available on CD Baby, Amazon, and ITunes as of 15 August 2011 Featuring Al Plank: piano; Houston Person: saxophone; John Stowell: guitar; Michael Spiro: percussion; Colin Bailey: drums; John Wiitala: bass. Praised by critics both abroad and in the United States for her “gorgeous phrasing" and “clear and easy delivery (Stereo Review)" of the lyrics of a song, West Coast ...

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Trio 3 Plus Geri Allen - Celebrating Mary Lou Williams Live at Birdland New York (Intakt, 2011)

Source: Music and More by Tim Niland
September 6, 2011

When the pianist Geri Allen joined the well established Trio 3 (Oliver Lake on alto saxophone, Reggie Workman on bass and Andrew Cyrille on drums) it proved to be an auspicious occasion, captured on this album live in concert at Birdland in New York City. While the participants have serious avant-garde cred, they have no problem adapting to Williams' compositions as she was a life-long musical explorer herself. “Blues for Peter" establishes the medium-up groove tempo with some wonderfully ripe ...

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Tangerine Dream - Live in America 1992 (2011)

Source: Something Else!
September 6, 2011

Tangerine Dream—or as they were known, back when I was in school: The guys who did the weird music for the “Risky Business" soundtrack—had gotten significantly less weird by this point. Founding member Edgar Froese is the lone hold over from Tangerine Dream's 1971-77 whoa-man synthesizer-soundscape hey day, a period that also included keyboardist Peter Baumann and drummer Christopher Franke. By 1992, when this live date was recorded, the group (which now included Froese's son Jerome on keyboards and guitar, ...

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"At the Crossroads": New Emarcy CD from James Carter Organ Trio, Oct. 4

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity
September 6, 2011

One of jazz's most acclaimed, distinctive improvisers, virtuoso saxophonist James Carter returns to a favored format and simpatico colleagues with At the Crossroads, his 15th CD as a leader and the third showcasing his long-standing Organ Trio. Emarcy Records will release the CD on October 4. Enjoying consistently inspired interplay with fellow Motor City stars organist Gerard Gibbs and drummer Leonard King Jr., Carter gets down in his inimitable way on a 12-track program that boasts rollicking swingers, moving ballads, ...

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Natacha Atlas: "Mounqaliba – Rising: The Remixes" Out September 27

Source: Chris M. Slawecki
September 5, 2011

Mounqaliba—Rising: The Remixes Out September 27

After two highly acclaimed string driven, predominantly acoustic projects, Natacha Atlas returns to the Global Dance-floor with the Mounqaliba Remixes. Globally celebrated singer Natacha Atlas' latest release Mounqaliba was a decidedly acoustic affair, recorded with a 20-piece Turkish ensemble and a chamber orchestra & integrating western and Arabic styles. Mounqaliba (which means being in a state of reversal' in classical Arabic) was a stunning set of original songs, evocative interludes, and a beautiful version ...

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