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Aguanko: Pattern Recognition
by Chris M. Slawecki
Aguanko's composer, conguero and bandleader Dr. Alberto Nacif first stepped into the worlds of Latin and Afro-Cuban percussion alongside Cuban conga/bongo master Armando Peraza, the pillar of percussion fire who blazed throughout the Santana band's first decade. On Pattern Recognition, Nacif teams with another legendary Cuban percussionist: José “Pepe" Espinosa, who jumps in on timbales, guiro ...
Chris Potter: Circuits
by Sammy Stein
Reedman Chris Potter is one of the most influential and inventive improvisors of these times. Circuits is Potter and keyboardist James Francies, drummer Eric Harland and bassist Linley Marthe For more than two decades Potter's limitless creativity, effortless virtuosity and vibrant sense of swing have wowed critics, musicians and fans. Following three acclaimed albums ...
Various Artists: MPS: 50 Years
by Chris M. Slawecki
In 2018, MPS--Musik Produktion Schwarzwald--Records, Germany's first jazz label, celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. Pianist Oscar Peterson recorded the first release for MPS after his contract with Verve expired. Its catalog expanded to feature George Duke, Red Garland, Wolfgang Dauner, Horst Jankowski, George Shearing, Monty Alexander and many other pianists. Violin became the label's second most featured ...
Michael Kocour: East Of The Sun
by David A. Orthmann
Michael Kocour's solo piano recital is comprised of great American songs, most of which were popular in the early-to-mid twentieth century. There's nothing dated or anachronistic about the ways in which he handles the material. Throughout the record's ten tracks, Kocour establishes a state of equilibrium between a fealty to traditional song forms and jazz practices; ...
Kresten Osgood Quintet: Kresten Osgood Quintet Plays Jazz
by Mark Corroto
Danish drummer Kresten Osgood achieves the musical equivalent of pay-it-forward with Kresten Osgood Quintet Plays Jazz. His ensemble of up-and-coming Copenhagen musicians delivers convincing renditions of some archetypal compositions, plus three originals by the leader. The choice of music on these two discs exposes the quintet to many types of possible criticism. Listeners familiar ...
Frank Macchia: Rhythm Kaleidoscope
by Troy Dostert
With a host of wide-ranging work not only as a musician but also as a producer and arranger for television and film projects, Frank Macchia has never been one to rest on his laurels. Even if you're not familiar with his recordings, chances are you've heard at least one of his many film orchestrations: from The ...
Rob Dixon: Coast to Crossroads
by Chris M. Slawecki
"The album is called Coast to Crossroads because I'm based in Indiana, the Crossroads state, but I also work a lot on the West Coast and East Coast," explains saxophonist Rob Dixon, who leads this trio session with drummer Mike Clark and seven-string funk guitar maven Charlie Hunter (who also served as producer), plus occasional guest ...
Alfredo Rodriguez/Pedrito Martinez: Duologue
by Dan Bilawsky
When running down the names of notable and somewhat recent Cuban exports in the jazz realm, Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martinez both rank at the top of the list. Rodriguez, a conservatory trained pianist with a strong familial connection to the aural arts, came under the wing of the great Quincy Jones back in 2006. He ...
Marc Ducret - Joëlle Léandre: Chez Hélène
by Glenn Astarita
The audience in attendance at the 19PaulFort venue in Paris, France must have been spellbound after witnessing these prolific and highly influential improvisers wield their magic. As leaders and collaborators bassist Joëlle Léandre and guitarist Marc Ducret have pretty much done it all over the years, evidenced by their extensive discographies. Here, the bassist is a ...
Warren Wiebe: Original Demos
by Chris M. Slawecki
From the accounts of nearly everyone who heard him, Warren Wiebe was “a singer's singer." After kicking around in several bands between his native San Diego and Los Angeles, songwriters Burt Bacharach and David Foster ran across Wiebe's pure tone and apparently effortless range, and Wiebe became the go-to demo singer for many of southern California's ...
