Recording News

With 'Mojo,' Tom Petty Happily Sings the Blues

Source: All About Jazz
June 12, 2010

Tom Petty's plunge into the blues left him ecstatic. “We finally made a record worthy of the band, one that makes use of the musicianship," he says.

“Every rehearsal for years started with blues. It's how we sound after hours. I thought, 'we should stay where we naturally play.' I'm more excited than I've been in a long time."

Mojo, out Tuesday (June 29 on audio Blu-ray and vinyl), is Petty's first album since 2006 solo disc Highway Companion and ...

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AAJ Exclusive: New Miles Davis Released at Wolfgangsvault.com

Source: Wolfgang's Vault
June 11, 2010

Wolfgangsvault.com today released a never-before-heard audio recording of Miles Davis at the Fillmore West, October 15, 1970. The Bill Graham produced concert, which included Leon Russell and Seatrain on the bill, features “Honkytonk," “What I Say," “Sanctuary," “Yesternow," “Bitches Brew," and “Funky Tonk." The vintage concert recording, with full context of the show's importance, is now available for free streaming right here.

From the concert summary: As the 1960s wound to a close, Miles Davis was fearlessly forging ahead into ...

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The New World Jazz Composers Octet Releases Second CD: Transitions

Source: Michael Ricci
June 11, 2010

The New World Jazz Composers Octet is releasing its second CD, TRANSITIONS, on the Big and Phat Jazz Productions label. This exciting new CD features eight stylistically diverse compositions written by five of the most talented jazz composers on the scene today. Each piece is presented with a combination of precise ensemble performance and inspired solos. The New World Jazz Composers Octet is led by saxophonist/flutist Daniel Ian Smith. Most of the featured composers and performers are part of a ...

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Pianist Hiroe Sekine Releases "a-me", New CD Featuring Peter Erskine, Bob Sheppard, Et Al.

Source: Michael Bloom Media Relations
June 11, 2010

A talented musician, a gifted jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, Hiroe Sekine (Hee-ROE-ay Say-KEE-Neh) approaches jazz standards and her compositions using her very original voices and colors -- modern and fresh, yet classic. She has been writing and performing for nearly 20 years both in Japan and the U.S. Being a dedicated and truly professional musician, her energy and stage presence at her live concerts have proved magnetic to many audiences. a-me (Ah-MAY) is her debut album. A native of ...

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Announcing the New Set of Recommendations

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
June 11, 2010

The latest Doug's Picks appear in the center column. They are:

CDs by two fiery alto saxophonists and a satisfying singer;

A concert DVD by the man who first poured jazz into a tenor sax;

A book that considers the shallowness of so much of the news we watch, hear and read—and what might be done about it.

Steve Coleman and Five Elements, Harvesting Semblances And Affinities (Pi). Coleman, an audacious alto saxophonist and composer, is as progressive ...

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Somethingelsetribute: Heatwave (Oh, Yes, We Did!)

Source: Something Else!
June 11, 2010

By Pico

With another sizzling summer in full, wilting swing, what better time to revisit the foot-tapping joys of Johnnie Wilder Jr. and Heatwave?If you attended any discos or high school dances during the time that Jimmy Carter reigned supreme, there's a 100% chance you've shaken your booty to Wilder's vocals. Remember “Boogie Nights"? ..."Groove Line?" ... (the very timely) “Too Hot To Handle"?... “Always And Forever"? About 30 years ago Johnnie and his brother Keith ...

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The John Coltrane Quartet, "Africa/Brass" (1961)

Source: Something Else!
June 11, 2010

By NICK DERISO

It's perhaps no surprise that John Coltrane wanted to do something different upon moving to the Impulse label after a long association with Atlantic.No surprise, either, that it might be a recording with a larger aggregate behind him. That was, and is, the style of the day when jazzers seek to get out of the box a bit.Leave it to Coltrane to turn all of that on its ear with “Africa/Brass," a 1961 ...

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Funk Testament on Chocolate Music's "People Want the Same Thangs" CD

Source: Creativity in Music
June 11, 2010

"People Want The Same Thangs" is the second release from Los Angeles-based Chocolate Music. Produced by Stevie “Roofa G" Martin and Linus “Limeybean" Bernal collectively known as The DO, “People Want The Same Thangs" is a mixture of Funk,R&B and laid back Jazz vibes, with a hint of the Blues infused with some Hip - Hop flava and production. Featuring ol' school dancefloor house party jams, baby making music and thought provoking smooth flavors for your ride played by real ...

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