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Recording

Something Else! Sneak Peek: The Headhunters, "Tracie" (2011)

Source: Something Else!
May 3, 2011

The Headhunters have completed an ambitious new jazz release—one that continues to push the edges of fusion, incorporating hip hop and funk with the presence of Snoop Dogg and George Clinton, yet still retains the band's fonky core sound. That's perhaps nowhere better heard than on this standout track from Platinum, to be issued by the Owl Studios label on June 14. The Latin-tinged “Tracie" begins with a bass line from Richie Goods that sounds like a question mark, surrounded ...

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Recording

Larry Coryell - With the Wide Hive Players (2011)

Source: Something Else!
May 3, 2011

While we've talked about a lot of fusion guitarists over the last five years, this is about a new album by the first one. That's right, though John McLaughlin is widely regarded as the guy who shaped and defined jazz-rock guitar, no one was successfully reconciling the two elements into a coherent, identifiable playing style before Larry Coryell. While only about 21 years old in 1966, he joined the proto-fusion group The Free Spirits (a group drummer Bob Moses was ...

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Recording

Contemporary Noise Sextet - Ghostwriter's Joke (Electric Eye, 2011) ****a1/2

Source: Free Jazz by Stef Gijssels
May 3, 2011

By Paul Acquaro Hailing from Poland, the Contemporary Noise Sextet is redefining the definition of the word 'noise' for me. To them, it seems 'noise' means well constructed and full sounding. “Ghostwriters Joke" is a seriously good piece of work that while not exactly free jazz, or even straight ahead jazz, is a collection of arrangements that sometimes border on the tongue in cheek, but never treats music as a joke. Honestly, I was a bit underwhelmed at first. I ...

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Recording

Ella Fitzgerald in Japan

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
May 3, 2011

Ella in Japan didn't exist until its release by Verve about a week ago. For years, the Norman Granz project known merely as Ella in Nippon wasn't part of Ella Fitzgerald's vast discography. That's because it was never officially released. All that was known about her recordings in Japan was that there were Scotch tape boxes in the Verve vault and some notes from Granz. According to Stuart Nicholson's biography of the singer, the recording was believed to have been ...

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Recording

Putumayo Presents "Jazz," a Collection of Exceptional Recordings by Jazz Legends

Source: Yann Perrigault
May 3, 2011

Putumayo announces the May 3rd release of Jazz, featuring a veritable who's who of jazz legends performing beloved standards. The 1950s was a golden age for jazz and three-quarters of this collection was recorded during this era. Many of these recordings have been remixed and remastered, providing a level of sound quality not available until recent years. A wonderful introduction to the genre and a worthy addition to any aficionado's collection, Jazz demonstrates the enduring, universal appeal of this homegrown ...

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Recording

Three Blind Mice Release Debut CD: "The Outsider"

Source: Michael Ricci
May 2, 2011

Philadelphia, PA—Three Blind Mice is a Philadelphia-based organ trio, formed by Saxophonist Victor North along with Lucas Brown on organ and Wayne Smith Jr. at the drums. 2011 brings us their long-awaited debut album, The Outsider, which navigates predominantly through original music penned by Mr. North and Mr. Brown. The trio has been together for almost eight years and the album certainly showcases their cooperative sound as well as the high degree of communication they share resulting from their long ...

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Recording

Dan Wilensky releases "Group Therapy"

Source: Dan Wilensky
May 2, 2011

Dan Wilensky's new CD, Group Therapy, features saxophonist Dan Wilensky, guitarist David Phelps, bassist Dean Johnson, and drummer Tony Moreno. It was recorded March 21, 2011 at Charlestown Road Studios in Hampton, New Jersey by Paul Wickcliffe. The CD includes 8 original compositions, a new take on Charlie Chaplin's “Smile," and a reconstruction of the pop hit “Downtown" featuring Tony Moreno. “Wilensky's individuality can be heard with his first notes. His sound is bright, crisp, and completely relaxed in all ...

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Recording

Australian group Topology is "exhilaratingly unpredictable" in blend of contemporary classical music and jazz

Source: Lauren Rogers
May 2, 2011

The Australian band Topology ventures into the twilight zone between contemporary classical music and jazz. On their latest album Difference Engine, Topology experiment with moods, sounds, and rhythms; nothing ever quite stays the same or functions within patterns. At the same time, there is a surface beauty to their compositions that is easily accessible even when their songs are being twisted into knots. Despite the classical tag, Topology are nearly unclassifiable; they may use classical instrumentation, and their jazz inspirations ...

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