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Dan Treanor & African Wind: Mercy
by Jim Santella
The blues comes with a side order of West African griot music when Dan Treanor and Rex Peoples sit down to celebrate on Mercy. When African Wind introduced Treanor's brand of “Afrosippi Blues in late 2004, it was with deep respect for Mississippi blues, along with a stark interest in traditional African roots music. The recommended ...
Gary Brunotte: Smile
by Jim Santella
Gary Brunotte's piano trio provides a lovely session of lyrical ballads and gentle reflection on Smile, a tribute album dedicated to Dexter, the pianist's family pet who passed away at age fifteen. Judging from the album cover photo, he must surely have left behind pleasant memories and golden moments that remain frozen in time. ...
Larry Goldings: Quartet
by Jim Santella
Pianist Larry Goldings delivers modern jazz as true art, folding in classical music with traditional jazz themes and interpreting them sincerely. With trumpeter John Sneider, his quartet expresses soulful melodies and surrounds them with beautiful textures. Everything falls into place naturally, and the pianist ensures that not one ounce is wasted on glamour or glitz.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo: Long Walk to Freedom
by Jim Santella
The vocal call and response of Ladysmith Black Mambazo traces our world's civilizations from the very beginning. As a form of communication, singing has accompanied the advancement of societies far and wide. Our ancestors undoubtedly found it as pleasurable as we do. With a cappella singing providing a natural delight that cannot be replaced by modern ...
Mimi Fox: Perpetually Hip
by Jim Santella
While the title track for Perpetually Hip was written for a friend, it also describes the composer, Mimi Fox, who wrote three of the songs that she interprets on this two-disc set. She works with her New York band on disc one, giving a standout performance that has everyone working cohesively and soloing with spontaneity. Straight-ahead ...
David Schumacher: Endangered Species
by Jim Santella
As the spice of life, variety plays a major role in David Schumacher's Summit debut. The baritone saxophonist enjoys a hearty organ combo ambience, along with tracks dedicated to Latin jazz, blues, straight-ahead jazz, and even a little hip-hop. His organ combos give the session a contemporary spirit that flows from tradition and remains timeless today.
"Guitar" George Baker: Mojo Lady
by Jim Santella
“Guitar" George Baker Mojo Lady Fortress Records 2006 Guitar George Baker's music video is an abbreviated version of his CD. On it, you get the experience of watching him in action during his performance on the BET Jazz television show Live from the Club at Blue Palm. The DVD provides ...
Nina Simone: Silk and Soul
by Jim Santella
Originally released in 1967 as an LP, Silk and Soul followed Nina Simone's blues album by combining pop songs with soulful musical statements that included strong threads from gospel and blues. Two bonus tracks are included, both originally released as singles in '69. Pianist Billy Taylor wrote one of the keystone selections for this ...
Nina Simone: Forever Young, Gifted and Black: Songs of Freedom & Spirit
by Jim Santella
While this compilation combines Nina Simone's mastery of the blues and soul singing, its emphasis remains on what she said. As an active participant in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, she wrote songs and interpreted those of others--songs that helped to raise an awareness of our social ills. We need her music as much ...
Hiromi: Spiral
by Jim Santella
In a set of her own compositions, pianist Hiromi Uehara swings jazz's modern mainstream with a delightful mix of dramatic themes. Her trio drives with intensity one moment and relaxes quietly the next. Through its improvisational character, the trio melds jazz with rock and goes far beyond. A blues thread runs through nearly every piece, and ...
