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Robin Eubanks Mass Line Big Band: More Than Meets The Ear
by Hrayr Attarian
Trombonist Robin Eubanks is well known for his versatility and inventiveness. It is no surprise, therefore, that his first big band recording, More Than Meets The Ear, is an innovative and engaging work of mainstream jazz. Various influences, across genres, infuse the intricately crafted music that, despite its precise orchestration brims with energetic spontaneity.
The Peeled Eye: The Peeled Eye
by Glenn Astarita
Berlin, Germany-based Shameless Records is managed by seasoned and well-travelled multi-instrumentalist Boris Hauf who resides as a prominent Euro-jazz improviser and experimentalist while also recording with members of Chicago's fruitful improv circuit. No doubt, Hauf is known to trek into unchartered musical arenas, evidenced by the band Efzeg where micro-textures and minimalism often serve as a ...
Eric Olsen ReVision Quartet: Sea Changes
by Dan Bilawsky
Many classical-jazz crossover projects come off as half-baked exercises in compromise, uncomfortable in the attempt of marriage and painful to observe. This one doesn't. Pianist Eric Olsen put together a first-rate foursome--the aptly-named ReVision Quartet--to perform revamped takes on the music of Jean Sibelius, Frederic Chopin, Georges Bizet, and Olivier Messiaen, among others. His artful arrangements ...
Giovanni di Domenico / Peter Jacquemyn / Chris Corsano: A Little Bit Off The Top
by John Sharpe
Three adept protagonists in the free improv arena assemble in a multinational gathering on A Little Bit Off The Top. Both Italian pianist Giovanni Di Domenico and Belgian bassist Peter Jacquemyn are active on the Brussels scene, while American drummer Chris Corsano shares experience with the pianist of hook ups with the likes of guitarist Jim ...
The Necks: Vertigo
by Dave Wayne
Permit me a moment on a soapbox. Improvisation is merely a process, just as composition is a process. It is simply a way to organize sound. There are no imperatives, no agendas. Just spontaneity and interaction. Contrary to what's been drilled into your head over the years, improvisation doesn't necessitate harsh" or abrasive" sounds. In the ...
Fabrice MOURLON Quartet: Facing the Lough
by Karl Ackermann
Trained early in his career as a pianist, the French artist Fabrice Mourlon later joined a vocal jazz class at the Paris suburb Pantin School of Music. In 1994 he trained as a vocalist with Italian singer Valentina Casula and was a member of her workshop for the next half-decade. He met pianist Richard Razafindrakoto, bassist ...
Dr. Lonnie Smith: Evolution
by Dan Bilawsky
Artist repatriation seems to be something of a theme in the Don Was era of Blue Note Records. In 2013 there was the return of saxophonist Wayne Shorter, a jazz giant who delivered many of his landmark '60s albums on this storied imprint. Then, in 2015, Charles Lloyd left ECM for Blue Note, a label that ...
Marnix Busstra: Firm Fragile Fun
by Dave Wayne
Let's get one thing out of the way: guitarist and leader of the eminently capable quartet featured on Firm Fragile Fun Marnix Busstra sounds a great deal like John Scofield. Busstra's tone, phrasing, attack, and even his choice of guitar parallel those of the celebrated solo artist and ex-Miles Davis plectrist. When he digs into the ...
Randy Bernsen: Grace Notes
by Geannine Reid
Grace Notes is a tasteful album, chalked full of fresh, creative compositions by guitarist Randy Bernsen. If you like the Rippingtons, Weather Report or the Yellowjackets, you will love this CD, too! As a composer and player, Bernsen possesses a unique creative vibe that does combine a wonderful grace" that you can hear in every note ...
Urs Leimgruber - Alex Huber: Lightnings
by Glenn Astarita
Wide Ear Records is a nascent Swiss experimental jazz label, co- founded by drummer Alex Huber who performs here, in a duo setting with his fellow countryman and eminent improviser, saxophonist Urs Leimgruber. Hence, the musicians generate some cerebral merry-making on this set via the saxophonist's gyrating and stunted battle cries and the customary call and ...

