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Sonny Rollins: Newk's Time
by Greg Simmons
Possibly the premier US remastering shop, Music Matters continues to reissue Blue Note albums of the 1950s and 1960s on premium 180 gram, 45rpm vinyl. These recordings are at the heart of the jazz canon and should be heard by any serious student of the music. Now, one of the finest performances in the Blue Note ...
Sonny Rollins: On Impulse / There Will Never Be Another You
by Greg Simmons
What could be better than an album by Sonny Rollins? Two albums by Sonny Rollins, especially a reissue of two treasured Impulse! releases--On Impulse! (1965) and There Will Never Be Another You (1978)--in their entirety, on a single 75-minute CD. That's a lot of satisfying tenor time with the Saxophone Colossus. On the heels ...
Mik Keusen's Blau: Nalu
by Greg Simmons
Mik Keusen's Blau clearly articulates a musical vision. A typical jazz lineup--piano, bass, drums, and reeds--Nalu spawns music that is anything but typical. Instead, it is post-modern and ambient, with almost industrial rhythmic drive. Nalu is as far from the core of blues and standard-based jazz as Pluto is from the sun. Tightly composed ...
Sir Roland Hanna: Colors From A Giant's Kit
by Greg Simmons
Sir Roland Hanna (1932--2002) recorded a series of undated solo piano sessions for IPO founder Bill Soren, some of which are now released as Colors From A Giant's Kit. Vault finds--those undiscovered recordings that have been made, shelved and largely unheard for decades--can be some of the most entertaining recordings in jazz. How marvelous to listen ...
The George Lernis Jazz Quartet: Shapes of Nature
by Greg Simmons
Many people recall the tedium of childhood music lessons: the endless scales; impatient instructors; and the drudgery of practice, practice, practice. A few gifted individuals get to move on to bigger and better things, but the vast majority face a conspiracy of limited talent and the distraction of competing interests. Fortunately, those who do possess the ...
The Chris Byars Octet: Lucky Strikes Again
by Greg Simmons
If a theorem states: “three harmonizing saxophones create compelling, rich, sonic textures," then the proof is the Chris Byars Octet's homage to saxophonist Lucky Thompson, Lucky Strikes Again. Lucky Thompson (1924-2005) is primarily remembered as a bebop saxophonist, but he was also a fine and underrated composer, leading small and mid-sized bands. Byars has ...
Charlie Apicella & Iron City: The Business
by Greg Simmons
Charlie Apicella and Iron City have funk, groove, and insistent swing on The Business. Nominally a guitar/organ/drums trio, this date adds the tenor saxophonist Stephen Riley and conguero Mayra Casales, to fill out the sound. Apicella exhibits a sturdy competence on guitar, with an emphasis on getting all the basics right--never resorting to flame-throwing arpeggios, and ...
Jeff Hackworth: Night Owl
by Greg Simmons
Tenorist Jeff Hackworth taps late 1960s soul jazz on Night Owl. The instrumental mix, with Hammond B3, vibraphone and drums, draws a straight line to the traditions of masters like Lou Donaldson and Big John Patton. The use of organ, in particular, is a distinctive and tacit embrace of the instrument's ability to make anything sound ...
Xavi Maureta & Adam Kolker: La Perfeccio de la Irrealitat
by Greg Simmons
La Perfecció de la Irrealitat is a sophisticated, expressive collection of compositions. Each tracks is layered with intricate musical constructs, building single-instrument melodies into fully articulated ensemble statements. Even at its most aggressive improvisational points, the quintet's sense of melodic continuity and ensemble character remain intact. Initially, great melodies rule the day, but the ...
Donald Byrd: Slow Drag
by Greg Simmons
Donald ByrdSlow DragBlue Note2011 (1967) In 1967 trumpeter Donald Byrd was a busy guy, teaching or lecturing at no fewer than four universities. It's a wonder he had time to play, let alone record. Fortunately, he did find the time, and the resulting Slow Drag takes an ...
