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James Darren: Because Of You
by Jim Santella
Big band and orchestra arrangements by Patrick Williams, Bob Krogstadt, David Campbell and Ray Ellis make James Darren's latest album swing gracefully through all fourteen popular songs. These are the songs we've grown up with. Cookin' like Count Basie, the band comes alive with the kind of bouncing rhythms that get your whole body into it. ...
Jason Moran: Black Stars
by Jim Santella
Jason Moran has hit the mark every time out. The adventurous pianist creates suite-like musical portraits that, in the end, will affect the growth of modern mainstream jazz. For his third album as leader, Moran has enlisted saxophonist Sam Rivers. As like-minded improvisers, the four artists drive with considerable force. What makes it work so well ...
Dead Ringer: Dad Music
by Jim Santella
The members of Dead Ringer refer to their second recording as “music for the Mancini generation." These classic songs were played on the radio back then, and they've left strong memories. From the album's songlist, “Charade" and “It Had Better Be Tonight" are Henry Mancini creations with Johnny Mercer's lyrics. The ensemble has selected timeless songs ...
Pat Martino: Live At Yoshi's
by Jim Santella
Recorded late last year at a highly regarded Oakland, California nightclub, Pat Martino's trio session smokes from start to finish. Yoshi's features an impressive lineup all year round. The audience reaction on this, Martino's twentieth album, is merely an outward expression of what we feel as we listen. Guitarist, organist and drummer romp through straight-ahead classics ...
Lonnie Plaxico: Melange
by Jim Santella
Experience has taught Lonnie Plaxico that a tenor saxophone and trumpet front line works best. His 6th recording as a leader combines straight-ahead, modern mainstream, and Tower Of Power funk. At 40, the bassist has paused to reflect on which jazz styles are meaningful; his session includes variety with significance. Plaxico writes out the arrangements in ...
Martin Taylor: Nitelife
by Jim Santella
After touring and recording with Stéphane Grappelli throughout the 1980s, and then recording seven superior, straight-ahead albums in the 1990s for the Linn label, Martin Taylor has made a radical change of direction. For his Columbia Records debut, the guitarist teams with saxophonist Kirk Whalum, adds programmed accompaniments to the musical arrangements, and floats repetitious smooth ...
Wynton Marsalis: Popular Songs: The Best Of Wynton Marsalis
by Jim Santella
He played the archetypal bandleader in the film Tune In Tomorrow. Clean-living, occupied with his profession, and a hard-working artist, Wynton Marsalis managed his acting role in much the same way he manages his career. There are mixed opinions of his celebrity status. A spokesman for jazz long before the Ken Burns documentary, this prolific trumpeter ...
Matt Catingub's Big Kahuna and the Copa Cat Pack: Shake Those Hula Hips!
by Jim Santella
With his 12-piece big band, Matt Catingub aims this second Big Kahuna album toward the baby boomer generation. With music, of course, those timelines are never distinct. “And the Angels Sing" and “In the Mood" come from an earlier, swinging generation. The television themes from I Dream of Jeannie and Hawaii Five-O combine with “Fever" and ...
New York Voices: Sing! Sing! Sing!
by Jim Santella
A big band made up of working New York musicians accompanies this vocal quartet in its retro look at the swing era. Buoyant lyrics and scat singing color the album with characteristic charm. It's the kind of patriotic, fun-loving feeling that followed The Andrews Sisters during World War II. Darmon Meader's vocal arrangements place the four ...
Rodney Jones: Soul Manifesto
by Jim Santella
A handful of originals and several classic tunes give Rodney Jones' latest album soul. By pairing saxophonists Maceo Parker and Arthur Blythe, the guitarist has created an interesting environment. With the organ sound pervading, the two alto veterans serve up funk, soul, and a few sensitive looks at the ballad. Jones plays from the heart and ...
