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165

Article: Album Review

The Psychic Horns: The Psychic Horns

by Glenn Astarita
August 1, 2001

Northeasterners; trumpeter John Allmark, woodwinds ace Dan Moretti and trombonist John Wheeler recently reunited to record their inaugural release. Hence, no underlying agendas here, as the band pursues a “Tower of Power" style funk-groove chart on the opener “From the One", which is all about 70's style, tightly coordinated unison horn arrangements atop crisp beats and ...

156

Article: Album Review

Eric Reed: Happiness

Read "Happiness" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
August 1, 2001

Pianist Eric Reed soars to towering heights with this uplifting and altogether superior new release, featuring fellow “Wynton Marsalis Group” constituents; trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, alto saxophonist Wessell Anderson and other jazz sharpshooters, as this eleven-piece outfit delivers the goods in rather explosive fashion. No doubt, Reed possesses enviable chops, yet his concoction of cleverly organized motifs ...

186

Article: Album Review

Robert Berry: A Soundtrack For "The Wheel Of Time"

by Glenn Astarita
August 1, 2001

Progressive rock Renaissance man, Robert Berry conceptualizes, composes and performs a soundtrack based upon author Robert Jordan’s widely read, “The Wheel of Time” fantasy novels, with this newly released effort also featuring mandolinist, Leif Sorbye of the Celtic/prog-rock band, “Tempest” and violinist Michael Mullen among others. Essentially, Berry proposes that this soundtrack might serve as an ...

216

Article: Album Review

David Binney & Edward Simon: Afinidad

Read "Afinidad" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
August 1, 2001

Alto saxophonist David Binney and pianist Edward Simon share top billing with this new effort, released on the Italy-based “Red Records" jazz label, and while the duo have collaborated in the recent past, Afinidad signifies a tightly integrated celebration of two distinct musical personas.The soloists pursue multicolored vignettes, featuring highly charged motifs brimming with ...

243

Article: Album Review

Randy Brecker: Hangin' In The City

Read "Hangin' In The City" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
August 1, 2001

A true stylist who has performed with a who's who of jazz, pop and jazz-fusion artists, trumpeter Randy Brecker's latest solo effort includes his equally renowned brother, saxophonist Michael Brecker and vibraphonist Joe Locke along with perennial studio musicians; guitarist Hiram Bullock, bassist Will Lee and others. Here, Brecker injects a bit of whimsy into a ...

169

Article: Album Review

Eric Reed: Happiness

by Glenn Astarita
August 1, 2001

171

Article: Album Review

Jeff Berlin: In Harmony's Way

Read "In Harmony's Way" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
August 1, 2001

Few would debate electric bassist/clinician, Jeff Berlin’s significance among the post-Jaco soloists in jazz and fusion. With his third solo effort, amid numerous endeavors with players such as guitarist George Benson, drummer Tony Williams, “The Brecker Brothers”, flutist Herbie Mann and many others of note, the monster bassist summons an all-star cast for his ...

160

Article: Album Review

Smoker - Magnuson - Filiano - Grassi: Large Music 2

by Glenn Astarita
August 1, 2001

With the successor to the quartet’s 2000 release, Large Music 1, the musicians’ continue their pursuance of free-bop/swing amid sequences of investigative dialogue and a plethora of lofty peaks, bottomless pits and soul searching lines. However, the band also generates briskly stated melodies on the opener, “Gwendolyn the Cat”, as trumpeter Paul Smoker and saxophonist Bob ...

177

Article: Album Review

Various: Leonardo - The Absolute Man (Original Cast Recording)

by Glenn Astarita
August 1, 2001

Leonardo – The Absolute Man is the brainchild of “Magna Carta” chief Peter Morticelli, who enlisted one of the label’s roster artists, keyboardist Trent Gardner to bring the project to fruition. Perhaps Renaissance man, Leonardo Da Vinci would be delighted, knowing that a bunch of seasoned rock veterans decided to construct an album based upon his ...

133

Article: Album Review

Djam Karet: New Dark Age

by Glenn Astarita
August 1, 2001

Southern California-based progressive rock band, “Djam Karet’s latest effort may indeed represent the logical link between the hard hitting, Live At Orion and the melodically tinged yet equally powerful, The Devouring. With this newly released outing, the quartet produces shrewdly conceived textural arrangements via well-placed synth textures, crisp, slicing electric lead guitar lines, impacting crunch chords ...