Recording News

Peter Brotzmann and Paal Nilssen-Love - Woodcuts (Smalltown Superjazz)

Source: Master of a Small House
May 15, 2010

Among the many drummers to join Brotzmann on the bandstand, Paal Nilssen-Love remains one of the most compatible and galvanizing. His mix of muscle and agility continually serves the German well whether it be in a large assemblage like the Chicago Tentet or mano y mano encounter like this set, the second such set documented by the Scandinavian Smalltown Superjazz imprint. The earlier date, parceled as part of the Maijazz Festival in Norway in the spring of 2006, centered on ...

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Row: Zoot Sims - Warm Tenor (Pablo)

Source: Master of a Small House
May 15, 2010

Age is an unavoidable agent of decline for many musicians. Not so with saxophonist Zoot Sims. Advancing years only added to his artistry, making what was already great even greater. His Pablo period arguably garners less notice than the earlier stages of his career as a member of Woody Herman's Herd and pianoless Gerry Mulligan ensembles large and larger. But by my reckoning it's every bit as good, if not better. This set and its predecessor, If I'm Lucky, are ...

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Los Lobos: Reborn in East L.A. for New Album Due Aug. 3

Source: Michael Ricci
May 15, 2010

Los Lobos returned to their East L.A. roots in creating the new Tin Can Trust album thats been set for an Aug. 3 release on the Shout! Factory label.

The long-running quintet set up shop in a gritty studio known mostly for recording underground punk and indie bands for its first album of original material in four years.

Los Lobos: Louie Perez, Steve Berlin, Cesar Rosas, Conrad Lozano, David Hidalgo.

The group had been doing much of its recording ...

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Recent Listening: Trios. Part 3, Cole, Viklicka1/2, Erskine, Cary

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
May 15, 2010

Nat King Cole & Friends, Riffin': The Decca, JATP, Keynote and Mercury Recordings (Hip-O Select). This three-CD box begins with 17 tracks of a trio that served as the model for groups led by Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Page Cavanaugh and too many others to list. Nat Cole became one of the most famous singers in the world, but his enduring impact on jazz was as a pianist whose example inspired Bud Powell, Peterson, Bill Evans and virtually every other ...

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30db - One Man Show (2010)

Source: Something Else!
May 15, 2010

By PicoIf a measure of the talent of a band can be measured by the amount of meaningful side projects its members get involved with, then Umphrey's McGee is beginning to qualify as a very talented bunch. Last year, Jake Cinninger, Kris Meyers and Joel Cummins from my favorite jam-band in rock teamed up with Chris Poland and Roberto Pagliari from OHM to form OHMphrey, and their CD made for some great metal-fusion listening. But Cinninger isn't Umphrey's ...

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Judy Collins' Elektra Albums Reissued on Collectors' Choice

Source: conqueroo
May 13, 2010

From “baroque folk" in '66 to show tunes, jazz and country in the '80s, the albums trace Collins' particularly eclectic musical development

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Collectors' Choice Music will reissue nine albums by Judy Collins, one of the great interpretive folksingers of our time, representing a good portion of her Elektra Records years from 1966-97. Collins' clear soprano, unerring taste and uncommon sensitivity to her material has enriched songs by everybody from Bob Dylan to Jacques Brel to Stephen ...

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Jonathan Butler Releases His Highly Anticipated CD "So Stong"

Source: Michael Ricci
May 13, 2010

MULTI-TALENTED ARTIST JONATHAN BUTLER CELEBRATES TRIUMPH AFTER TRAGEDY WITH UPLIFTING NEW 'SO STRONG' CD World Renowned Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist Shows Optimistic Spirit Against Insurmountable Odds LOS ANGELES - Critically acclaimed singer, songwriter and guitarist Jonathan Butler celebrates life in all its complexity on So Strong, the brand-new CD due May 11th on Rendezvous Music. This inspirational, 11-track effort finds the South African born hit-maker reaching deep within to glory in survival and revival after a year of personal turmoil ...

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Salif Keita Returns with "La Difference" and North American Tour

Source: rock paper scissors, inc.
May 13, 2010

White Skin, Black Blood: Salif Keita's Golden Voice Transforms Social Stigma into Global Grooves on La Difference

The descendant of warrior princes, the son of two black African parents, Afro-pop pioneer Salif Keita was born “white." Inheriting albinism, a lack of skin pigmentation, Keita instantly stood out among other Africans and stood out as a spokesperson for tolerance in all forms.

With La Difference (Emarcy Records; June 8, 2010), the legendary singer addresses this deeply personal issue -- albinism in ...

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