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158

Article: Album Review

Trio Reenactment: What Once Was...

Read "What Once Was..." reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan

The Detroit-based Trio Reenactment follows up its self-produced, self-titled 2008 debut with What Once Was...", a piano trio set filled with catchy hooks, engaging can't-get-'em-outta-your-head melodies, a bunch of soul and funk, and some fine mainstream jazz tunes.The set bounces to life with “Piano Mang," penned by Trio Reenactment's leader, bassist John Barron. It's ...

290

Article: Album Review

Enrico Pieranunzi / Marc Johnson / Joey Baron: Dream Dance

Read "Dream Dance" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan

Italian pianist Enrico Pieranunzi's music is often said to incorporate European classicism, suggesting seriousness and, perhaps, a staid erudition to those who haven't heard him.Pieranunzi has fronted a trio with bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Joey Baron since 1984. While not a working band like Keith Jarrett's enduring Standards Trio, Pieranunzi's recordings and tours ...

373

Article: Album Review

Francesco Cafiso Quartet: Angelica

Read "Angelica" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan

Angelica claims a spot as a superior quartet set--alto saxophone and a rhythm section--right at the very beginning, not with the Duke Ellington-penned title tune, but with a Billy Strayhorn gem, “A Flower is a Lovesome Thing." Italian saxophonist and jazz prodigy, Francesco Cafiso--just nineteen years old at the time this music was laid down--ignores the ...

331

Article: Album Review

Erica Lindsay / Sumi Tonooka: Initiation

Read "Initiation" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan

Pianist Sumi Tonooka and tenor saxophonist Erica Lindsay are the leaders on Initiation, having contributed five compositions each. It's the chemistry and the collective organic spontaneity of the whole quartet, however, that moves the sound into the level of top-tier excellence. Bassist Rufus Reid constructs solid, big-sound foundations, and drummer Bob Braye --who, sadly, passed away ...

479

Article: Album Review

Mostly Other People Do the Killing: Forty Fort

Read "Forty Fort" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan

Irreverent devils, aren't they, these four guys who make up the piano-less quartet called Mostly Other People Do the Killing (MOPDtK)? This is Our Moosic (Hot Cup Records, 2008) was a play on Ornette Coleman's This Is Our Music (Atlantic, 1960) in title and with the cover photo and design. Forty Fort sports a cover laid ...

232

Article: Album Review

Greg Reitan: Antibes

Read "Antibes" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan

Los Angeles-based pianist Greg Reitan's debut, Some Other Time (Sunnyside Records, 2009), introduced a surprisingly mature talent. With a mix of American Songbook gems, some fine originals, a surprise or two, and a couple of jazz standards--all rendered with a distinctively sure and elegant touch--the pianist announced himself as a top tier talent in the crowded ...

202

Article: Album Review

Robin Verheyen: Starbound

Read "Starbound" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan

Belgian-born/ New York-based saxophonist Robin Verheyen has crafted, on Starbound, an engaging form of lively chamber jazz--a label that often denotes a more sedate listening experience. Verheyen plays tenor and soprano saxophones, but here leans more toward the straight horn. The set opens with a spring-in-its-step romp, “On the House." The ensemble bubbles and ...

564

Article: Year in Review

Dan McClenaghan's Top Ten for 2009

Read "Dan McClenaghan's Top Ten for 2009" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan

2009 was a fantastic year for music. Every disc on this list is a marvelous set of sounds. This is what keeps me excited about the art form. Jessica Williams Art of the Piano Origin Records Always a fine pianist, Jessica ...

201

Article: Album Review

Marc Copland: Alone

Read "Alone" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan

With solo piano, the pure essence of the musician's artistry is revealed. In the case of Marc Copland's Alone, that revelation is enthralling.Copland has risen to the lightly populated top tier of jazz pianists on the strength of his three profile-boosting New York Trio albums, with shifting line-ups including bassists Gary Peacock and Drew ...

293

Article: Album Review

Stewy von Wattenwyl Generations Band: Live at Marians

Read "Live at Marians" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan

Swiss pianist Stewy von Wattenwyl blasts into this high energy set, Live at Marians, with a blistering one-two punch of Wes Montgomery's “Fried Pies" and John Coltrane's “Moments Notice." The leader pounds the keys in a McCoy Tyner mode, and saxophonist Eric Alexander sounds raw and just barely tamed. This is not a sound that can ...


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