Recording News

Recent Listening: These Pianists Are from Venus

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
July 24, 2010

The Japanese have a longstanding love affair with jazz piano. Albums by jazz pianists sell consistently well in Japan. Leading pianists from around the world perform there in concerts and clubs. Indeed, the country has produced its own crops of world-class pianists, among them Toshiko Akiyoshi, Makoto Ozone, Kei Akagi, Junko Onishi and the current phenomenon Hiromi Uehara. A Japanese promoter organizes an annual tour called 100 Gold Fingers that features 10 prominent pianists in concert. The tour has included ...

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Summertime, and the Re-Issues Are Jumpin' ...

Source: The Augmented Ear by John Patten
July 23, 2010

It's the middle of the summer, apparently not the best time to release a new CD. For those willing to try, beware of the competition!

According to AllAboutJazz.com's CD release schedule, this month has been rife with re-issues. From John Coltrane to Charles Mingus, Louis Armstrong to Bill Evans, it's been a crowded field of big names. Revamped, re-issued, reworked or re-mastered, it's a tough crowd to go against.

Next month perks up, though, with releases from Dave Liebman, Esperanza ...

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Soulive Tackle the Beatles

Source: JamBase
July 23, 2010

TAKING IT FROM BROOKLYN TO ABBEY ROAD!

New York City's preeminent soul jazz trio, Soulive, bring the funk to The Beatles' iconic repertoire with the release of Rubber Soulive due September 14 on the band's own Royal Family Records. Featuring renditions of 11 classics by The Fab Four, including “Come Together," “I Want You (She's So Heavy)" and “Revolution," Rubber Soulive takes its place in a lineage of classic instrumental albums by the likes of Booker T. & The M.G.'s, ...

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Download charts from The Clayton Brothers' new recording!

Source: Brian Camelio
July 22, 2010

In celebration of The Clayton Brothers' upcoming fan-funded release “The New Song and Dance," Jeff Clayton has included a special bonus download for all CD participants in “The New Song and Dance" project. This special download folder contains the evolution of Jeff's tune “Cha-Cha Charleston" from start to finish. Jeff's handwritten sketches of this piece are included alongside the final charts used at the recording session, a short essay description of the evolution of “Cha-Cha Charleston," and an audio interview ...

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Ethan Mann - It's All About a Groove (2010)

Source: Something Else!
July 22, 2010

By Mark SaleskiThere are some things in this world that at first appear to be encased in mystery, the secrets of which can only be revealed by the “experts"--free-verse poetry, modern art, okra. It turns out that no special knowledge is required to appreciate these things. You've just got to be open to a slight shift in perspective, allowing your concept of “fun" to expand.This is an attitude that the jazz neophyte needs to be made aware ...

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One Track Mind: Stephen Richard "Ambience" (2010)

Source: Something Else!
July 22, 2010

By PicoIt could be argued that Houston, Texas is one of the major gestation points for smooth jazz sax stars. Ronnie Laws and Kirk Whalum came from what Laws calls the Bayou City of the Future. Also, let's not forget that Wilton Felder, Joe Sample and the rest of the Crusaders gang hail from that town, too. So, which Houstonian is next in line to make their mark in the velvety, r&b side of jazz?Stephen Richard ...

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Guster: Easy Wonderful

Source: JamBase
July 22, 2010

EASY WONDERFUL OUT OCTOBER 5; FREE DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE; TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

Guster Guster will release their highly anticipated new album, Easy Wonderful October 5 on Aware/Universal Republic Records. The follow up to 2006's Ganging Up On The Sun contains twelve tracks described as “simultaneously adventurous pop and classic Guster." Check out the track list below.

1. “Architects & Engineers" 2. “Do You Love Me" 3. “On the Ocean" 4. “This Could All Be Yours"

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Rob Morsberger Featured on Wbur's Here and Now, Compared to Dylan, Zevon

Source: Seth Cohen PR
July 21, 2010

Rob Morsberger Feature Airs on Nationally Syndicated 'Here and Now' Program On Heels of USA TODAY Pick, Recognition Grows for Esoteric Rocker “A Tom Petty/Bob Dylan Hybrid" Morsberger has earned raves for his complex rocker 'The Chronicle of a Literal Man'--USA TODAY's Elysa Gardner chose the title track as a 'Listen Up Music Pick,' and praised Morsberger for displaying “a mix of wit and grit." THE BOSTON HERALD, in an A- review, stated that the “album is the kind of ...

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