Recording News

Review: "Imagine" Hancock and Gifted Friends

Source: All About Jazz
June 24, 2010

Herbie Hancock, The Imagine Project * * * (OUT OF FOUR) GLOBAL HARMONY Herbie Hancock is one of the rare artists on the planet with sufficient vision and artistic standing to execute something this ambitious.

The legendary jazz keyboardist hooked up with nearly two dozen notable musicians from around the world -- India Arie, Jeff Beck, Pink, Seal, John Legend, Juanes, Anoushka Shankar, Dave Matthews, The Chieftains and K'Naan among them -- for an album of ...

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Herbie Hancock is Thinking Big on 'The Imagine Project'

Source: All About Jazz
June 24, 2010

Jazz great Herbie Hancock says humanity won't survive unless people come together. He hopes to help that process along with his “The Imagine Project," out today, a bridge-building album that crosses geographic, cultural and genre barriers.

“At this point, I think about purpose before I decide to make a record," says Hancock, 70, a 12-time Grammy Award-winner. “The economic crisis pointed out to me that the average American has a sense of globalization right at their back door. It's time ...

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Blue Note Releases Jason Moran's "Ten"

Source: Michael Ricci
June 23, 2010

In 1999, the same year that Jason Moran released his debut recording Soundtrack To Human Motion, the prodigy pianist and composer also joined New Directions, a band made up of young stars from the Blue Note roster that went on tour in celebration of the label's 60th anniversary. At the core of New Directions was the genesis of a rhythm section--with Moran, bassist Tarus Mateen, and drummer Nasheet Waits--that would go on to become one of the most enduringly creative ...

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Tuesday Morning Listen: Jason Moran, "Ten"

Source: Inverted Garden by Eric Benson
June 23, 2010

Jason Moran has always been a bit of aesthete, from his art-film soundtrack covers to the stylish Danish chair in which he “exclusively performs." His music, however, has rarely felt too precious. His piano attack is informed but primal; and his improvisations can feel almost violent--disembowelments as much as deconstructions.

Ten, Moran's new album (out today on Blue Note), could use a little more of this vigor. It's probably Moran's most elegant album--consummately curated, masterfully realized, and more than a ...

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Guitarist Norman Johnson Releases Debut CD, "If Time Stood Still," August 10 on Pacific Coast Jazz

Source: Sound Visions Media
June 23, 2010

If Time Stood Still, the debut solo release from guitarist Norman Johnson on the Pacific Coast Jazz label, is an exquisite expression of music that has been waiting to happen. From sonic grooves reminiscent of Wes Montgomery and George Benson to the mysterious, sultry melodies that frame Johnson's distinctive sound, this recording integrates the best of contemporary and traditional jazz. With over twenty recordings as a sideman, playing with highly respected musicians (Dave Brubeck, Jerry Bergonzi, Bill Mays, Harvie S., ...

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Black Music Legends Visit the Jewish Songbook on 'Black Sabbath' Compilation

Source: conqueroo
June 22, 2010

Johnny Mathis croons Yom Kippur songs, Temptations groove out on “Fiddler on the Roof". . .

CD compilation with deluxe booklet to be released by the Idelsohn Society on September 14; features Billie Holiday, Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin, Jimmy Scott, Cannonball Adderly, Nina Simone, the Temptations and more

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Black Sabbath: The Secret History of Black-Jewish Relations is the first CD compilation to showcase legendary African-American artists covering Jewish songs. Focusing on the 1930s through the 1960s, ...

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Summary Judgment: Royce Campbell

Source: The Augmented Ear by John Patten
June 22, 2010

I just received a new CD from guitarist Royce Campbell, the third he's kindly sent me to review. While I owe him a longer writeup on his “Movie Songs Project" with Phil Woods, I wanted to share his name and my thoughts on his music sooner than I'll be able to do otherwise.

Campbell's latest release is “Solo Trane" (on Moon Cycle Records), a collection of John Coltrane tunes arranged for the guitar. Most musicians have enough trouble getting comfortable ...

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Levi's Pioneer Sessions: Raphael Saadiq Covers the Spinners + MP3

Source: Giant Step
June 22, 2010

Levis Pioneer Sessions keeps rolling out more recreations of classic hits, this time with Giant Step favorite Raphael Saadiq covering Its a Shame by The Spinners, the legendary Detroit ensemble. When Tony! Toni! Tone!'s Raphael Saadiq went solo, his goal was to modernize R&B without cutting ties with its past, creating complex tunes that honored Motown while addressing issues of the day. You can get your copy of Raphael's cover of Its a Shame here.

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