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Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra: Harbour
by Scott Lichtman
There's something special about Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra's Harbour. Foremost, the album builds on Jensen's acknowledged talent as master composer for over 25 years. She writes songs that stimulate the emotions as well as the intellect, and she arranges them using rich, cross-instrumental blends and fresh, punctuated motifs. While Jensen already has won JUNO ...
Reuben Fowler: Too Minor
by Scott Lichtman
Here's a mystery: What happened to composer and big band leader prodigy Reuben Fowler? In 2012 to 2013, not yet much into his twenties, Fowler won 5-star ratings and numerous best-recording awards for his debut jazz orchestra recording, Between Shadows (Edition Records, 2013). Every song on the album is a highly satisfying listen, blending crisp arrangements, ...
Us3: Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)
by Scott Lichtman
Jazz often reinvents itself by melding established sounds and techniques with the latest forms of popular music. In the early '90s, jazz turned its ear to hip hop, and the first seminal mash-up appeared: “Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)" by Us3. It's a “funky, funky" tune based on Herbie Hancock's 1964 recording, “Cantaloupe Island." English group Us3 demonstrated ...
Audrey Powne: From the Fire
by Scott Lichtman
The work of Australian-born singer, trumpeter, keyboardist and composer/lyricist Audrey Powne transcends traditional jazz styles. From the Fire (BBE Music, 2024) is a gem that melds jazz, new soul and soundtrack impressionism with penetrating lyrics to fashion a sonic journey. One first notices her impressive technique across instruments. Powne's trumpet playing swings freely. Drawing ...
Iiro Rantala: Goldberg Variation III
by Scott Lichtman
Finnish pianist and composer Iiro Rantala (pronounced “Ee'-ro Rahn'-tah-lah") is a grand master of jazz, classical music, and film scores; he even serves as a UN goodwill ambassador. Give him a Django Reinhardt-like gipsy swing piece, or an Art Tatum stride, or a Keith Jarrett solo improv, and he'll respond with even greater flow, tighter precision, ...
Richie Beirach: Sea Priestess
by Scott Lichtman
Pianist Richie Beirach has been a foundation of the jazz community since the '70s, having released over 70 albums through 2022. His style combines romanticism with a dissonant compositional flair. His music, usually expressed in solo, duet and trio formats, sounds exceptionally intimate. Beirach could create chemistry with most anyone and has collaborated with luminaries such ...
Angela Bofill: Tonight I Give In
by Scott Lichtman
Angela Bofill was a majestic soul/jazz/pop vocalist starting in the '70s and '80s. Slightly older than the more well-known Anita Baker, Bofill recorded stunning ballads that highlighted her impeccably sweet tone and emotional interpretations. “Tonight I Give In" epitomized the “Quiet Storm" genre. Bofill passed away on June 13, 2024, but for her fans, her tracks ...
The Bad Plus: Flim
by Scott Lichtman
The 2001 first album from The Bad Plus was a shot across the bow for redefining the piano trio genre. Covering bands from ABBA to Nirvana and offering original compositions that swung, whispered and pounded, pianist Ethan Iverson, upright bassist Reid Anderson and drummer David King drew new audiences to jazz. The second album, These are ...
Daniel Bennett Group: The Hills of Beijing
by Scott Lichtman
Daniel Bennett has carved out a unique jazz sound, recognized via numerous reviews and awards for the Daniel Bennett Group. Compositions change keys and meter quickly, sometimes from bar-to-bar-to-bar, yet the melody and improvisations follow a smooth, logical path. The arrangements are compact, with instrumentations that can hint at folk or soundtrack music. Bennett's tone across ...
Başak Yavuz: Promised Lands
by Scott Lichtman
Vocalist and composer Başak Yavuz is intense. The lyrics of “Promised Lands" state that “someone told me to release the animal," which is exactly she and her band do. Drums and electric bass propel a free jazz-like feel with tinges of James Brown, while the guitar and voice open by harmonizing a tight, descending harmony that ...
