Recording News

Some Positively Solid Releases from Posi-Tone Records (2009, 2010)

Source: Something Else!
July 6, 2010

By PicoOne of the newer jazz labels that's been on a roll lately is Marc Free's outfit, Posi-Tone Records. Started up in 2004, Posi-Tone is a rare independent label that's done a remarkable job in balancing its roster with top shelf veterans and some of the more promising young talent, specializing in mainstream, soul and even a little bit of whack jazz. What's more, the production quality of their releases are on par with some of the larger ...

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Pete Fountain Salutes the Great Clarinetists

Source: All About Jazz
July 6, 2010

Pete Fountain has reached that enviable stage at which the compilers of catalogues for use in record shops are uncertain whether to list him under “jazz" or in the “popular" category. In fact, Pete's success helps to underline the inherently false implication of this listing system that jazz cannot be popular music in the broadest sense.

His two years of national TV exposure with Lawrence Welk, his extraordinary success in albums under his own name and most recently the warm ...

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50 great moments in jazz: Miles Davis and Kind of Blue

Source: Michael Ricci
July 5, 2010

This groundbreaking 1959 album is as close to perfection as jazz gets without sacrificing its spontaneity

I had hoped that a blog on the popular and funky Hammond organist Jimmy Smith might attract more than the average number of commentators, but I wasn't prepared for the gratifying deluge of responses following my inclusion of Smith in this series.

It has to be said it was a passing disappointment to discover that most ...

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Two for the Trumpet: Thrilling New Releases by Carol Morgan and Mikrokoleltyw (2010)

Source: Something Else!
July 5, 2010

By PicoThroughout all of the history of jazz, trumpet players were always in the vanguard: Armstrong, Gillespie, Davis, Bowie, I could go on. The common theme with the two fresh offerings go beyond the fact that they are led or co-led by trumpeters; these are releases that in some form or another challenges the conventions of mainstream jazz. And each leader takes a differing approach in pushing their music out toward the edges. Which is precisely ...

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Jazzwax Summer Clip

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
July 5, 2010

The July 4th weekend is the summer personified, especially when the weather cooperates. The smell of burgers and corn on a charcoal grill, the sound of kids laughing and splashing, and a nostalgic tugging for the music of our youth are all part of the classic scene.

Case in point: For nine weeks in the spring of 1960, Theme From a Summer Place was No. 1 on Billboard's Top Pop Singles chart. The Beatles' Hey Jude and Elvis' All Shook ...

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Recent Listening: Jason Moran

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
July 4, 2010

Jason Moran, Ten (Blue Note)

It is possible that Jason Moran is the messianic paragon that the tide of jump-on-the-Bandwagon critical enthusiasm proclaims him. I am willing to cede that judgment to the leavening passage of time. It is no abandonment of restraint, however, to agree that Moran is an original thinker and a hell of a pianist. If there were no other reason to make that concession, I would be convinced by his treatment of the late Jaki Byard's ...

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Recent Listening: Vincent Herring

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
July 3, 2010

Vincent Herring & Earth Jazz, Morning Star (Challenge). The rhythm section known as Earth Jazz is electrified, funkified and synthesized. Collaborating with them, Herring looks back to the heyday of '60s and '70s soul, with stylistic references to Herbie Hancock, early Weather Report and tinges of Azymuth and The Crusaders. His customary power and tonal perfection on alto and soprano saxophones are intact, even as he adheres to the limitations of the setting. The title tune eases up on the ...

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David Weiss and Point of Departure - Snuck in (2010)

Source: Something Else!
July 3, 2010

By PicoWe introduced the master trumpeter Weiss on this space as the leader of the talent laden New Jazz Composer's Octet and he's shepherded this project through five releases. The NJCO represents just a slice of the long and varied career of this Queens, NY native. Having working with heavies such as Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Jaki Byard, Jimmy Heath, Fred Frith, Henry Kaiser, Charles Tolliver and even Ray Charles, Weiss has mastered jazz of all stripes and ...

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