As pianist Ahmad Jamal points out in his own notes to Nature, he's recorded prolifically outside the trios for which he has become known (check out, for example, his new one on Roesch with the Assai Quartet). But what makes Nature even more unusual is Jamal's addition of steel drums. Don't look for a set of ...

407

Article: Album Review

James Carter: In Carterian Fashion

Read "In Carterian Fashion" reviewed by Jim Santella

by Jim Santella
July 1, 1998

The album concept for James Carter's fifth release as leader is the familiar organ combo sound with earthy tenor saxophone. The concept works for the 29-year-old saxophonist, who still manages to retain the other elements with which his career has been associated: overt physical avant-garde taunts, swingin' Kansas City rambles, and polite mainstream lyricism. Organist Craig ...

224

Article: Album Review

Mike Stern: Give And Take

by Ed Kopp
February 1, 1998

It took a while for me to get into this one, probably because I'm a huge fan of Stern's fusion stuff. At first I thought there was a lot of needless noodling on Give And Take, but repeated listens have helped me appreciate the complexity and intensity of the playing. This is a purer ...

211

Article: Album Review

Manhattan Transfer: Swing

by Dave Hughes
February 1, 1998

time in my humble opinion) conquers another musical genre, I ask myself in between all the repeated listenings what musical territory they possibly have left to cover? They've already mastered doo-wop, pop music from several decades, jazz vocalese, Brasilian, and Christmas music, among others. In this case, they reach deep into the nostalgia bag - to ...

Album