Jazz Articles

George Johnson, Jr.: All Star Tribute

by Michael P. Gladstone
July 3, 2006

Drummer George Johnson hails from New Jersey and learned his skills under the tutelage of Art Blakey and Elvin Jones. He began playing professionally in Atlantic City at the precocious age of twelve. Following the 1997 release of his debut album, Turquoise Ocean (Challenge), this is his sophomore followup.

All Star Tribute has indeed crammed so many notable players together (on separate tracks) that a much fuller explanation would be required to tell the whole story. Some of ...

Wilton Felder: Let's Spend Some Time

by Dan McClenaghan
June 22, 2006

Wilton Felder, a founding member of the legendary Jazz Crusaders, presents his trademark smooth jazz sounds with a satisfyingly funky touch and laid-back soulfulness on Let's Spend Some Time.The arrangements--not always a strong element in smooth jazz outings--have a particularly fine quality, an intermingling of sax/trumpet, synth and loops. The first two cuts, “Smoke House" and the title cut, as well as “Ooh Wop, Doo Wop" and “High Water," have the crisp jazz funk feeling of the late-Miles ...