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David Murray: Speaking in Tongues
by Robert Spencer
Devil music? This disc contains the inscription: “There has always existed a fear throughout African American churches that jazz music was some kind of devil's music." But not on this one, friends. Teamed with the powerful vocalist Fontella Bass and organist Jimane Nelson, master reedman David Murray creates here a shouting, rollicking, joyful gospel jazzfest. It ...
Claire Daly: Swing Low
by Robert Spencer
If you think female wind players are limited to the flute or oboe, with an occasional soprano or alto saxophonist thrown in, get ready for Claire Daly, who plays baritone sax with a big roundhouse sound - although from the looks of the cover photo of “Swing Low" it's almost as big as she is. But ...
Lee Konitz: The Real Lee Konitz
by Robert Spencer
The welcome reappearance of this disc should further cement Lee Konitz's reputation as one of the foremost improvisers of the last few decades. His is a subtle art, calling attention less to his instrumental abilities (although these are considerable) than to the melodic possibilities of the song at hand. That is, he is a master at ...
Various Artists: This is Smooth Jazz
by Robert Spencer
Yet another stellar smoothie collection from Instinct Jazz brings you the silky sounds of Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Brian Bromberg, and more. This is the music of smooth evenings with young ladies like the one on the cover of this disc, and, smooth fans, glass and babies' bottoms never had it so good. A minor quibble, ...
Fred Jacobs: Time Change
by Robert Spencer
Fred Jacobs is a deft and versatile trumpeter who covers a lot of ground on Time Change. He dives right into the title track, sounding as bright and assured as Freddie Hubbard or Woody Shaw, but with verve and a smooth, fluent originality. Tenor man Scott Kreitzer is right in step with him, arching his lines ...
Color: Voicemeal
by Robert Spencer
Color is a trio with a huge sound, as all three players have tremendous arsenals at their command. This is an intriguing hybrid: straight-ahead jazz, balladry, funk, even some elements of post-Ayler playing. Most of these elements can be found here and there on each of these tracks. Tenor and soprano saxophonist Matt Langley can play ...
Melissa Walker: Moment of Truth
by Robert Spencer
Melissa Walker has a smoky, soulful voice. She is no screamer or wailer, but has just as much of an emotional impact as any of they do by skillful choices of rhythm and emphasis. She can even invest slight material like Janis Ian's mawkish “Seventeen" with a certain sincerity and poise. And on an offbeat number ...
John Tchicai / Charlie Kohlhase Quintet: Life Overflowing
by Robert Spencer
The vibrant and beautiful music on this disc is an example of continuity, or of a living tradition, or maybe just of what can happen when a group of great musicians who are intent simply on playing honest music get together to play. John Tchicai, of course, was a member of the large ensemble John Coltrane ...
The Henry Cook Band with Bobby Ward: Live at Montreux Detroit
by Robert Spencer
A solid disc full of genial and sure-handed ensemble playing from the tremendous front line of Henry Cook (reeds), Cecil Brooks (trumpet), and Salim Washington (tenor saxophone). Plus drummer Bobby Ward for firepower. Cook wrote four of these tracks, and Ward contributed two. These are all fine hard bop and post-hard bop heads full of terrific ...
Joe Lovano/Greg Osby: Friendly Fire
by Robert Spencer
Friendly Fire is aptly named, for in the grand tradition of two-horn jam sessions dating back to Sonny Rollins' legendary matchup with John Coltrane, “Tenor Madness," Joe Lovano and Greg Osby here meet not to compete, but to collaborate, share, prod, intertwine, and perhaps only occasionally - and gently - squabble. There is fire, and it ...
