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Charlie Ballantine: Falling Grace
by Robert Middleton
At 33, Ballantine has recorded eight albums and they are all gems. His range is wide and eclectic with tributes to Bob Dylan, Thelonious Monk and Kurt Vonnegut. But his December 2022 release stands out as a masterpiece of artistry, melody, and deep feeling. Falling Grace doesn't hit one over the head right away, but you ...
Joshua Redman: RoundAgain
by Robert Middleton
A return to the quartet from saxophonist Joshua Redman's Moodswing (Warner Bros., 1994). Yes, 26 years has passed. A great album a generation ago. RoundAgain is a reunion of masters: Redman with pianist Brad Mehldau, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Brian Blade. Each at the very top of their games and their respective domains. Sax, ...
Ginger Baker and the QJ2O: Coward Of The County
by Robert Middleton
I wasn't so sure about this CD with it's countryish name and cover art. What has Ginger been up to since his pair of great CD's with Bill Frisell and Charlie Haden in '94 and '96? This CD is the answer and it has definitely been worth the wait! This CD wins my vote for not ...
T.S. Monk: Crosstalk
by Robert Middleton
T.S. Monk's latest release, Crosstalk flirts perilously close to smooth jazz with it's drum machine fills and synthesizer washes, but make no mistake, this is masterfully performed jazz by a musician who knows exactly what he's doing. After the great critical and commercial success of “Monk on Monk," T.S. decided it was safe to finally do ...
Cassandra Wilson: Traveling Miles
by Robert Middleton
Although there have been some great Miles tribute albums over the past few years, from the exquisite So Near, So Far by Joe Henderson to the incendiary Yo Miles by Henry Kaiser and Wadada Leo Smith, these two loving vocal tributes are in a class by themselves. And if you're not a big fan of vocal ...
Charles Mingus: His Final Work
by Robert Middleton
Like a dog that loves a fire hydrant, my ears love Mingus. I bought both of these some time ago but have been going through a Mingus phase and realized I had only played them once or twice. They are both treasure troves of classical American jazz at its finest. Make no question about it, Mingus ...
Pat Metheny / Charlie Haden: Beyond the Missouri Sky (Short Stories)
by Robert Middleton
On my first listen or two this album seemed at best to be pleasant background music. And it can certainly can be that. It's languid, relaxed melodies don't demand that you take special notice. Perfect music for a quite evening at home or a slow Sunday afternoon. But if that's all you got it would be ...
Ed Palermo: Plays the Music of Frank Zappa
by Robert Middleton
Yes! Why not? Of course! Frank Zappa's music in a big band setting. Wonderful. From the witty, irreverent packaging to the masterful playing, note-true arrangements and the spot-on selection of Frank's tunes, this is an album to celebrate. What album from Zappa came out the same year as Bitches Brew (by Miles) and also broke new ...
