Recording News

Prince, "20ten" (2010)

Source: Something Else!
July 26, 2010

By Nick DerisoPrince, on “20Ten," sounds like his old self again. The one you used to go buy.That starts with “Compassion," this thunderous, ass-shaking opener, in the style of every Prince album that mattered back in the day. “Beginning Endlessly," firing off with a titanic keyboard riff reminiscent of Yarbrough and Peoples' “Don't Stop the Music," then flows seamlessly afterward. In the space of a few minutes, the prickly, sometimes stupifyingly uncommercial Prince has ...

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Download Three Free MP3 Tracks from Mike Mainieri, Torben Waldorff, George Kahn and Kerry Politzer

Source: Michael Ricci
July 26, 2010

An AAJ exclusive! Download THREE FREE tracks from these outstanding artists. If you enjoy what you hear, support the artists and purchase their music.

Mike Mainieri

Like Someone in Love Crescent 6:00 The Brat 2.0 5:42 Don't Break Step Twelve Pieces 5:49

Torben Waldorff

American Rock Beauty American Rock Beauty 5:00 Choro Dancado Afterburn 05:50 Alice Brilliance, Live at the 55 Bar NYC 08:38 ...

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I Grade Returns with Toussaint's Roots Reggae Album

Source: Chris M. Slawecki
July 25, 2010

I Grade Records is pleased to introduce Black Gold, the debut solo album by Toussaint. Most well known as the former lead singer of the Stax Records and Blue Note recording group Soulive, Toussaint is poised to bring forth his unforgettable blend of soul and roots to the world. Black Gold embodies a unique combination of the American soul of Toussaint's upbringing and the African-Caribbean roots he has gravitated towards. His compelling storytelling and seamless vocal range (as heard on ...

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Fawzi Chekili Quartet's "Touyour Al Fajr"

Source: All About Jazz
July 25, 2010

Touyour Al Fajr est le dernier projet de Fawzi Chekili réalisé avec la participation du Ministère de la Culture et de la Sauvegarde du Patrimoine, l'album a été enregistré en Italie en Mai 2009 et propose dix nouvelles compositions de la plume du leader dans un esprit 'cantabile' mélodique reprenant l'essence de la tradition tunisienne et la bonne humeur du jazz. Fawzi Chekili a choisi de s'entourer d'un trio de jazzmen parmi les plus talentueux en Italie, il s'est produit ...

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Vote for Your Favorite Jason Moran Remix!

Source: AAJ Staff
July 24, 2010

Indaba Music is holding a contest to see who can come up with the best remix or cover of “RFK in the Land of Apartheid" off of Jason Moran and the Bandwagon's latest album, Ten. The entries are in, and now it's time for you to vote for your favorite. Polls close on July 28th.

The grand prize winner will receive digital copies of Jason's current Blue Note catalogue, a signed piece of sheet music, a copy of the book ...

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The Friday Morning Listen: The Bill Frisell Band - Lookout for Hope (2010)

Source: Something Else!
July 24, 2010

By Mark Saleski There's a lot of writing out there about where inspiration comes from. We've all read stories about the Muse and how fickle it can be and all of that. For me, the vanishing Muse has most often to do with life situations out of control. Stress shows up and free and easy thought takes a holiday. Though the particulars attached to why a single image/sound/word combination can be nearly impossible to pin down, there are more general ...

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The Sound of Summer: A Beach Boys Appreciation

Source: Something Else!
July 24, 2010

News that the Beach Boys were contemplating a reunion to celebrate the band's 50th anniversary (or not?), got us to thinking ... By Nick DerisoThink Beach Boys, and many remember a group perhaps irrevocably reduced by its tragicomic storyline.Admittedly distracting plot points, beyond the 36 Top 40 hits (most of any U.S. rock band), include shocking revelations involving drugs and mental breakdowns, one never-finished Musical Statement, a slow decline into moldy oldies caricature, several ...

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Jazzwax List: 6 Tunes For 'Toons

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
July 24, 2010

Years ago, cartoons were wry and played a role imparting important life lessons about hard work and fairness, from Cinderella and Bugs Bunny to Little Audrey and Casper. What's more, cartoon theme songs were immensely hummable and became ingrained in the popular culture. Cartoons' widespread popularity had something to do with their showing in movie theaters before the feature film and then their domination of Saturday morning TV. Here are six jazz songs with cartoon titles:

Krazy Kat--Johnny Mandel's flag-waver ...

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