When it came to the music that he put out on record, Blue Note producer Alfred Lion was a stickler for tight ensembles, inspired performances, and musically appealing content. This sometimes meant, added to the sheer prolific nature of the label, that many decent sessions ended up accumulating in the vaults over the years. Of course, ...

428

Article: Album Review

Ron Carter: Orfeu

by Jim Santella
December 1, 1999

Active in both classical and jazz circles, bassist Ron Carter has also shown a preference for Brazilian music throughout his career. He's returned to Brazil each January for the past six years to perform with his ensemble and to learn from local artists. Carter, 62, and one of the most recorded jazz players of all time, ...

336

Article: Album Review

Jimmy Smith: Six Views of the Blues

Read "Six Views of the Blues" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey

by C. Michael Bailey
December 1, 1999

Greeeezy! Organist Jimmy Smith never made a bad record for Blue Note. A couple of his Verve recordings are stinkers, but still have some merit. But his Blue Note Recordings, well, they are the epitome of B-3 Hard Bop. That is why the revelation of previously unreleased Blue Note Sides is such a ...

238

Article: Album Review

Renee Rosnes: Art & Soul

by David Adler
November 1, 1999

On her sixth Blue Note release, burning pianist Renee Rosnes is joined by drummer/husband Billy Drummond and bassist Scott Colley, whose ubiquity of late threatens to reach Dave Holland proportions. Whereas previous outings have stressed Rosnes’s own compositions, this disc contains only two originals—and they happen to be my two favorite cuts. The up-tempo “Romp" is ...