Recording News

Review of Walter Smith III "Live in Paris" the Magic of Chemistry

Source: Notes on Jazz by Ralph A. Miriello
August 7, 2010

The soon to be thirty, Walter Smith III is a maturing voice on tenor saxophone who seems to be at his best when in the accompaniment of a fine trumpet player. He has front lined with some notables including the prolific Terrence Blanchard, as well as the up and coming Christian Scott, and the fiery Sean Jones all with laudable results, but it is with the prodigious Ambrose Akinmusire where he seems to have found a true kindred spirit.

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One Track Mind: Tom Waits - "Please Wake Me up" (1987)

Source: Something Else!
August 7, 2010

By Mark SaleskiAfter listening to certain Tom Waits songs, I get to thinking about what the man might have stored in his garage. Sure, it's become sort of a cliché, doing a mental inventory of Waits' collection of bullhorns and whatnot, but it sure is fun.Even more fun is doing an inventory of my own garage to see if there might be any intersections. I don't have a megaphone from an old navy battleship but there ...

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One Track Mind: Curtis Fuller - "Alamode" (2010)

Source: Something Else!
August 7, 2010

By PicoA guy who has helped to pioneer a fluid yet supple sound for the trombone, participated in so many classic records and performed as a member of so many prominent jazz ensembles should be a first ballot entry into the jazz Hall of Fame, if such a thing were to exist. But the only trombonist to ever appear on any records by John Coltrane, Jimmy Smith and Bud Powell is somehow missed in the conversation sometimes when ...

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Dave Holland and Pepe Habichuela, Hands (Dare2 Records) - 07/28/2010

Source: rock paper scissors, inc.
August 7, 2010

From Granada Caves and New York Clubs: The Collaboration of Flamenco Guitarist Pepe Habichuela & Jazz Bassist Dave Holland

Parallel lives, parallel movements: through the streets of Wolverhampton, England and the jazz clubs of New York, the caves of Granada and the flamenco bars of Madrid. Over strings and oceans and language barriers, masterful jazz bassist Dave Holland and Spanish guitar legend Pepe Habichuela have come together to unfold the beauty of flamenco on Hands (Dare2 Records; December 7, 2010), ...

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Rahim AlHaj & the Little Earth Orchestra Find a Global Voice for Peace

Source: rock paper scissors, inc.
August 6, 2010

Asylum in New Mexican Maqam: Rahim AlHaj and the Little Earth Orchestra Find a Global Voice for Peace Via Iraqi Sounds

In the dry mountains of New Mexico, an Iraqi oud (lute) master raises homing pigeons. Persecuted for a single potent song, he fled his native land, only to be deprived of his beloved instruments at the border. Yet like the birds he cares for, he has homed in a new nest, where quarter tones can be urged from accordions, ...

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Jacques Schwarz-Bart Featuring Stephanie McKay: 'Rise Above' on Dreyfus Jazz August 31

Source: Chris M. Slawecki
August 6, 2010

Soulful sax man Jacques Schwarz-Bart makes his Dreyfus Jazz recording debut with Rise Above, an eclectic blend of jazz and neo-soul featuring the stirring vocal stylings of former Brooklyn Funk Essentials singer Stephanie McKay. Rise Above is an epic culmination of this son of a Black Guadeloupean mother and a French Jewish father's diverse experiences. “The great common denominator between all the styles I love, being Funk, Jazz, Soul and R & B, is that the music starts with the ...

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Great American Taxi brings danceable, political music from its "Reckless Habits" CD to summer festivals

Source: Brian O'Neal
August 5, 2010

Listen carefully to Reckless Habits, the second album from Great American Taxi, and you'll hear a political edge to some of the music created by one of the best country-, rock- and bluegrass-influenced Americana bands in the land. And the band is entirely comfortable bringing its danceable albeit politically-tinged songs to summer festivals.

“Woodie Guthrie was a huge influence for us and we truly believe in the power of song," said Taxi front man Vince Herman in a recent interview. ...

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Bob Mintzer's Organ Trio CD (Feat. Peter Erskine & Larry Goldings), "Canyon Cove" - U.S. Release on August 17

Source: Michael Bloom Media Relations
August 5, 2010

BOB MINTZER—CANYON COVE (Pony Canyon/Cheetah)—U.S. Release: August 17 Bob Mintzer * Peter Erskine * Larry Goldings While organ was already being used in the 20s and 30s in jazz settings (Count Basie, Fats Waller), it wasn't until the late 40's that the “Hammond" organ trio got it's start with Wild Bill Davis. In the 50's we saw the emergence of a slew of great “B3" Players from Bill Doggett, Hank Marr, Jimmy McGriff, Groove Holmes, and the ever-popular Jimmy Smith. ...

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