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Recording

Swingadelic - The Other Duke: Tribute to Duke Pearson (2011)

Source: Something Else!
July 12, 2011

Better known for helping shape the Blue Note Records hard bop sound as a producer in the 1960s, pianist Duke Pearson also led his own big band before succumbing to the ravages of multiple sclerosis at age 47. Pearson displayed an underrated flair for unconventional arranging in a setting that couldn't have been further from his dates with the likes of Donald Byrd, Grant Green and Bobby Hutcherson. These forgotten contributions are brilliantly explored on The Other Duke, to be ...

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Recording

Seabrook Powerplant - Seabrook Powerplant II (2011)

Source: Something Else!
July 12, 2011

It used to be that when we used the term “punk jazz," we were referring to Jaco Pastorius. Let's face it, the man was a jazz bass revolutionary. But over the years—and concurrent with with Jaco's career—the idea of what jazz can be was expanded by the likes of John Zorn's downtown New York cohorts and the mind-bending work of Chicago's AACM. This probably displeased the traditionalists, clinging to the notion that swing is the only thing, but it opened ...

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Recording

Cosmic Leaders

Source: Free Jazz by Stef Gijssels
July 12, 2011

Darius Jones & Matthew Shipp—Cosmic Lieder (AUM Fidelity, 2011) **** ROVA Saxophone Quartet—Planetary (SoLyd Records, 2010) **** By Stanley Zappa The play on words was unavoidable as both recordings touch on the galactic and vibrate with a dignity that “we" have come to expect only from the “masters" as recorded on the Deutche Grammaphon label. Both the Rova Saxophone Quartet's Planetary and Darius Jones and Matt Shipp's Cosmic Lieder are examples of the ever dimming line between formal European concert ...

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Recording

Debut album from singer/songwriter Mark Gresty marked by craftsmanship and real soul

Source: Lauren Rogers
July 12, 2011

In just about every form of music, storytelling is becoming a lost art. Consider singer/songwriter Mark Gresty to be a rare find then. On Gresty's new album—the first for the 59-year-old musician㬆 Cents Above a Beggar—Mark Gresty's Pappadom Songs, each lyric has a point, every line written by a real soul. “Most songs are insulting in their lack of intelligence and the way they demean the audience and I try to avoid doing that," Gresty explained. “I spend much more ...

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Recording

Brian Adler Continues to Rise with Helium Phase 2

Source: Michael Ricci
July 12, 2011

By Alexander Ariff Today marks the release of Phase 2 of Brian Adler's Helium Project. Both Phase 1 and Phase 2 can now be purchased digitally online. Adler has been crafting Helium since 2009. His mission was to expand the recording studio around the globe. Alder's music blurs the lines between “jazz" and “world" music and Helium is a delightfully uplifting representation of his musical philosophy. Despite his background in American jazz, Alder has open ears and Argentinian roots. “The ...

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Recording

Park St. Trio "Goodnight, Daylight"

Source: Michael Ricci
July 11, 2011

Park St. Trio has just released their first album, Goodnight, Daylight. Consisting of all original jazz tunes written by drummer Steve Slater and guitarist Jason Countryman. The sound is traditional, with great melodies performed on vibraphone by Stan Muncy. The guitar and vibraphone create a wonderful sound, perfect for relaxing on a summer afternoon or sitting by a warm winter fire. Nick Underwood holds down the bass lines and performs some great solo's throughout the record. Be sure to check ...

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Recording

Alberta Hunter's "Downhearted Blues: Live at the Cookery"; Coming On Rockbeat Redfords

Source: conqueroo
July 11, 2011

Backed by pianist Gerald Cook and bassist Jimmy Lewis on this 1981 album, Hunter was at the height of her career revival. LOS ANGELES, Calif.—It's difficult to decide which was the most remarkable facet of pioneering blues chanteuse Alberta Hunter's incredible career. Was it her role in the vanguard of the “classic blues" movement of the early 1920s, when she recorded prolifically for Paramount and other labels during the industry's first foray into the idiom? Her entertainment of grateful U.S. ...

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Recording

Ari Hoenig - Lines of Opression (Naive/Ah-Ha, 2011)

Source: Music and More by Tim Niland
July 11, 2011

Drummer Ari Hoenig has played in a number of jazz bands, especially on the Small's scene in New York City, as well as released a few albums as a leader. On this album he is accompanied by Tigran Hamayan on piano and beat box, Gilad Hekselman on guitar and Orlando Le Fleming and Chris Tordini on bass. The group pays crisp, clear and accessible modern jazz that occasionally flirts with hip-hop or progressive rock, but stays true to its post-bop ...

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