Home » Search Center » Results: CD/LP/Track Review
Results for "CD/LP/Track Review"
William Hooker Quintet: Channels of Consciousness
by Glenn Astarita
Drummer William Hooker was a mainstay at New York City's downtown jazz haven The Knitting Factory, amid several cross-functional albums for its record label. He's a freethinker, possessing a broad musicality, largely immersed in improvisation, and communicates a comfort zone whether tackling or expanding numerous world music stylizations nestled within free-jazz, avant-rock and other genres. Recorded ...
Jose James: No Beginning No End
by Enrique Turpin
Tal vez no sea intención de José James (Mineápolis, 1978) reemplazar a D'Angelo en el reinado del neo-soul que se empezó a fraguar a mediados de los años 90, pero puede que lo logre sin proponérselo. En su cuarto trabajo --y primero para Blue Note-- ha recuperado el testigo que seguía en el suelo a la ...
David Bowie: The Next Day
by Nenad Georgievski
The role of the artist is to deepen the mystery, Francis Bacon once said, and singer David Bowie is a master of that. After several years of studio and especially media abstinence, Major Tom has surprisingly reported for active duty when he released his first single in ten years, Where are We Now?," coinciding with his ...
Matt Holman's Diversion Ensemble: When Flooded
by Dan Bilawsky
Brooklyn-based trumpeter Matt Holman has been putting his horn to good use as a sideman with A-listers, like pianist Fred Hersch and vocalist Kate McGarry, and up-and-coming large ensembles, like Darcy James Argue's Secret Society and the Asuka Kakitani Jazz Orchestra, but he's finally stepping up to the plate as a leader. When Flooded is Holman's ...
Samuel Blaser Quartet: As The Sea
by Glenn Astarita
Allocating his time between Europe and New York City, Swiss-born trombone maestro Samuel Blaser has recorded for prominent record labels, specializing in the outside jazz realm. Thus, As The Sea is the quartet's follow-up to Boundless (hatOLOGY, 2011). Blaser's recognizable plight to lay out nouveau frontiers remains a continuum. No wonder why he's garnered the assistance ...
Taylor's Universe: Worn Out
by Dave Wayne
One can only hope that Robin Taylor was being ironic when he titled his latest collection Worn Out. Musically, it follows in the footsteps of his recent recordings with Taylor's Universe; Kind of Red (Marvel of Beauty, 2012) and Return to Whatever (Marvel of Beauty, 2009). But there's a freshness, fire and vigor here that suggests ...
Jim Pearce: You Are An Edgy Visionary Seer
by C. Michael Bailey
Jazz is serious music: so serious that sometimes it becomes a labor of such intensity that the composers and performers fail to have fun making the music. Vocalist/pianist/composer Jim Pearce specifically makes it a point to have fun, before getting serious (as serious as he ever gets). Gratefully in the mold of Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg ...
Phil Woods: Right To Swing
by Edward Blanco
Alto saxophonist great Phil Woods and trumpeter/educator Dr. Bob Lark have a long history of recording together producing notable outings like Live at the Jazz Showcase (Jazzed Media, 2009) and In Her Eyes (Jazzed Media, 2006)--both with The Bob Lark / Phil Woods Quintet. The saxophonist association with Lark and the DePaul University bands has also ...
Maria Jacobs: The Art of the Duo
by C. Michael Bailey
Simplicity in jazz performance is a sure bet when one has the chops to deliver. Jazz vocal in a duet format is one of the more exposed configurations, one where the singer liability is great. All mistakes, mis-steps and wrong notes are readily audible. Cleveland, Ohio native singer Maria Jacobs' fourth release features seven voice-guitar duets ...
Jaleel Shaw: The Soundtrack of Things to Come
by Mark F. Turner
Jaleel Shaw is one of the fiercest saxophonists to come out of Philadelphia; the city that has produced its share of music luminaries, such as pianist McCoy Tyner and bassist Stanley Clarke. Full of urgency, Jaleel Shaw channels his horn through music that's tinged with the sound of blues and gospel, soul music and streetwise hustle, ...

