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159

Article: Album Review

Bob McChesney Quartet: No Laughing Matter

by Glenn Astarita
March 1, 2000

The legendary humorist and talk show host Steve Allen has also authored nearly 8,000 tunes during his celebrated lifetime. Now in his 70’s Allen must be overjoyed with the winning formula represented on this classy and at times – stunning – recording titled, No Laughing Matter – The Bob McChesney Quartet Plays Steve Allen. Here, trombonist ...

174

Article: Album Review

Alan Pasqua: Milagro

Read "Milagro" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
March 1, 2000

Milagro is pianist Alan Pasqua's first date as a leader and a mighty impressive one at that! - Pasqua is an accomplished and much in demand jazz pianist who also shines as a composer on this gem while receiving first-rate support from the all-star rhythm section of bassist Dave Holland and drummer Jack DeJohnette. Pasqua's “Acoma" ...

199

Article: Album Review

Phillip Strange and David Friesen: Quiet and Two For The Show

by Glenn Astarita
March 1, 2000

Phillip Strange Quiet : Solo piano recitals of standards and originals with a Euro-Classic feel. Mr. Strange blends grandiosity with keen improvisation yet rarely loses sight of the melody while employing an elegant touch. Beautifully recorded! * * * ½ David Friesen Two For The Show The great bassist performs a series of sprightly and thoroughly ...

199

Article: Album Review

Anton Schwartz: The Slow Lane

Read "The Slow Lane" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
March 1, 2000

With his second release, West Coast-based saxophonist Anton Schwartz walks his tenor saxophone down the Slow Lane. Here, the Harvard and Stanford University graduate exhibits style, wit and a predilection for sublime, thoughtful phrasing amid a slightly hard edge, which counters any semblance of saccharine or smooth jazz ideologies. A nice blend indeed as Mr. Schwartz ...

147

Article: Album Review

Happy Apple: Body Popping - Moon Walking - Top Rocking

Read "Body Popping - Moon Walking - Top Rocking" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
March 1, 2000

“Happy Apple” is a Minneapolis based modern jazz trio featuring multi-reedman Michael Lewis, drummer David King and electric bassist Erik Fratzke. On Body Popping - Moon Walking – Top Rocking the band articulate somewhat of a blood and guts approach. With the lengthy opener titled “The Barstow Sizzler” the trio advance through subtle microtonal passages while ...

227

Article: Album Review

Wayne Horvitz: American Bandstand

Read "American Bandstand" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
March 1, 2000

Wayne Horvitz’s esteemed stature in modern music as a prolific composer-performer is undeniable. On American Bandstand, Horvitz and co. provide the listener with a diversion or intermission from previous Horvitz-“Zony Mash” releases as they tone things down a bit while pursuing refined elegance on delicately melodic and altogether stirring pieces such as “Ben’s Music” and the ...

247

Article: Album Review

The Julius Hemphill Sextet: At Dr. King's Table

by Glenn Astarita
March 1, 2000

A 1997 release of note, “The Julius Hemphill Sextet” under the artistic direction of woodwind specialist Marty Ehrlich is a celebration of the late great saxophonist-composer Julius Hemphill and also features Ehrlich performing with his usual arsenal of saxophones, clarinets and flutes. Along with the top-flight sax section of Sam Furnace, Andy Laster, Andrew White, Gene ...

287

Article: Album Review

Happy Apple: Body Popping - Moon Walking - Top Rocking

by Glenn Astarita
March 1, 2000

189

Article: Album Review

Martin Taylor: Gypsy

by Glenn Astarita
March 1, 2000

The celebrated Scottish jazz guitarist Martin Taylor offers the jazz public yet another glimpse of Django Reinhardt on the aptly titled, “Martin Taylor’s - Spirit of Django” - Gypsy, which is the culmination of live and studio tracks. The band effortlessly whirl through Django’s “Nuages” and “Tears” while Taylor also incorporates many originals, all within the ...

146

Article: Album Review

Lan Xang: Hidden Gardens

by Glenn Astarita
March 1, 2000

Their 1997 debut on saxophonist David Binney’s “Mythology Label” marked a high point for jazz, as “Lan Xang” pursued modern jazz with crushing penetration and an edge rarely witnessed in small acoustic ensembles. On Hidden Gardens the band continue their conviction, while augmenting the group sound and overall sonic appearance with ethnocentric horns, percussion and Binney’s ...