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Raphe Malik Quartet: Looking East Suite
by John Sharpe
Ever seen a review of a gig and wished you could have been there? I read about the premiere of Raphe Malik’s Looking East Suite at the Boston ICA on the AAJ website two years ago. Happily for me and everyone else who couldn’t be there, the concert has now been released by Boxholder as a ...
Trio X: On Tour
by John Sharpe
This is the third release by Joe McPhee, Dominic Duval and Jay Rosen, three virtuosi known collectively as Trio X. It was recorded live in March this year and must set a record for hitting the streets so quickly – all kudos to Cadence Jazz Records. Like previous releases by the group it is an intriguing ...
Diana Krall: The Look of Love
by John Sharpe
The career path she seems to have chosen must trouble jazz fans who have tracked Diana Krall’s meteoritic rise to stardom. Increasingly, emphasis is placed not on her talents as a fine mainstream jazz pianist, but on her smoky voice and obvious physical beauty. Her song choices border on the pedestrian, the arrangements have become tamer, ...
Jane Monheit: Come Dream With Me
by John Sharpe
If you purchase Come Dream With Me based on the incredible amount of hype singer Jane Monheit’s sophomore effort has generated, you’re bound to be disappointed. While Ms. Monheit certainly possesses the tools necessary to obtain stardom in the modern jazz world – good looks and a flexible voice – she’s a long way from becoming ...
David Axelrod: David Axelrod
by John Sharpe
Although legendary L.A. composer/producer/arranger David Axelrod has not released a new album in six years, his back catalog has been sampled by DJ’s around the world. In fact, this CD isn’t a completely “new” collection of tracks either. Seven of the nine tunes here come from sessions Axelrod recorded for Reprise in 1969, which have been ...
Nicholas Payton: Dear Louis
by John Sharpe
The problem with tribute albums is that if you present a slavish recreation of an artist's style, you'll be criticized and if you try to put “old wine in new bottles," critics will say you're not being true to the spirit of the originals. Classic catch-22, right? Regardless, for his tribute to legendary, fellow New Orleans ...
Carol Welsman: Hold Me
by John Sharpe
Spurred on no doubt by the growing popularity of the “smooth” jazz radio format, singer/pianist Carol Welsman’s latest CD is a decidedly middle-of-the-road affair. Though she’s often billed as a “jazz” singer, Hold Me contains a whole lot of “pop” and precious little jazz. Welsman floats through this 12-track collection without ever breaking a sweat, rarely ...
Terrence Blanchard: Let's Get Lost
by John Sharpe
Sub-titled “The Songs of Jimmy McHugh”, Let’s Get Lost features 11 original tunes by one of America's great popular tunesmiths. Ironically, while most listeners will be familiar with the songs, few would be able to identify McHugh (1894-1969) as the composer. Aiding trumpeter Terrence Blanchard are four of the hottest female vocalists in jazz today--Dianna Krall, ...
George Benson: The George Benson Cookbook
by John Sharpe
While the phenomenal success of George Benson’s Breezin’ (1976) album may have fattened his wallet; it led the guitarist down a path that dismayed jazz critics worldwide. Indeed, the bulk of Benson’s albums over the past 20 years have featured considerably less jazz and, unfortunately, more pop. Not so with The George Benson Cookbook (1966). This ...
Laurent de Wilde: Time 4 Change
by John Sharpe
Damn, pianist Laurent de Wilde has gone electro! Born in Washington in 1960, de Wilde, grew up in France and now resides in New York. While I was most impressed with Spoon-a-Rhythm (Sony/1997), this latest effort came as a complete surprise. With Time 4 Change, de Wilde joins an ever-growing list of jazz artists who attempt ...
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