Tuesdays on Mixcloud 5:00-6:30 pm eastern

Livestreams every Tuesday from 5 to 6:30pm on Mixcloud featuring DJ Kendo, plus 11 years of playlists and audio from the show "Jazz Greats" on WFCF St. Augustine!

Monday, August 31, 2015

Long-Ass Car Ride Review - Mike Pope!

 Long-Ass Car Ride Reviews: I take long-ass car rides, I listen to albums, I let you know if they are worthwhile.


Mike Pope - "Cold Truth, Warm Heart" (2011) 8/10

In a word - keeper

Mike Pope - basses, Seamus Blake - tenor sax, Joe Locke - vibes, Geoffrey Keezer - pianos, Alan Blackman - piano on "Prelude...", Mauricio Zottarelli - drums, Lydia Courtney - add. vibes on "Ether".  


Once in a while you come across an album that unexpectedly lands itself in your regular listening rotation. "Cold Truth, Warm Heart" has melodies fancy and cool, a distinctive sound thanks to the addition of Joe Locke on vibes (and a well-parlayed assortment of tonal combinations), a variety of approaches not heard on many jazz releases today, and a great band of name players who are giving full-throttle performances.





Best tracks: all of them. "Prelude in E Min Op. 28 No. 4 (Chopin)". Pope expands certain measures of the piece, and gives a heartfelt, wonderful demonstration of his massive skill on electric bass, obviously influenced by Patitucci. (Who isn't?) "Bare Minimum" is highly reminiscent of mid 70's Bobby Hutcherson/George Cables angularity, very satisfying swing! "Out of the Ether" is descriptively titled, beautiful dreamy stuff. "Shadow of a Doubt" is a showcase for both Seamus Blake's hot tenor and a Geoffrey Keezer two-fisted piano and rhodes tirade! The opening title track sports a neat phrase, and has the classy move of Pope taking the last solo - it's a good one. Gliere's "Romance" becomes an enchanting mid-tempo ballad handled delicately. "RAL and Tonto" makes nice use of a fascinating vibes and bass combo on the melody, Keezer takes a monster solo on Rhodes with tremendous support from drummer Mauricio Zotterelli. LOTS of good music on this release - a new millennium keeper!

Saturday, August 29, 2015

InstaCollection - The Jazz Classics

InstaCollection! - start or freshen up your jazz collection with DJ Kendo recommendations! Buy downloads for your phone/pc using the handy links below or just load the titles into your favorite music streaming service!

Here you go! This week's installation of the Instacollection features 5 of the
most renowned jazz tracks of all time, just in case you're a newbie to jazz or
Dave Brubeck
photo by William "PoPsie" Randolph
just in case you overlooked one of them! Not to mention it's 37+ minutes of the best jazz for $5.

"Blue Rondo ala Turk" from Dave Brubeck Quartet's
deservingly ultra-famous "Time Out" album is both a marvel and a thing of beauty. Highly original usage of 9/8 time is mixed with the blues and performed with grace and coolness. Saxophonist Paul Desmond and Brubeck both demonstrate high musicality and an ease with the (then) new and foreign meter. | Bobby Timmon's gospel infused "Moanin'" took Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers to a new level of stardom. Catchy & memorable with it's "amen" responses, high energy and Blakey's relentless swing groove, making this blowing session a winner. | "Kind of Blue" is the most popular jazz album of all time by the most famous jazz musician of all time. Miles Davis' "So What" also uses call and response, but with a whole new level of subtlety and cool. From Bill Evans/Paul Chambers dramatic opening, to the famous bass riff, on to Coltrane at the height of his own self-discovery, to Miles' economical drama; this cut introduced the whole world to the best facets of modal jazz. | Charles Mingus' "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" features 3 tenor saxes in tribute to the recently departed Lester Young. Showcasing Mingus' genius for usage of the blues scale over a vast array of harmony, his sharp ability as a bandleader and his firm grasp of jazz past - this tune never loses it's fascinating appeal. | Everything he had been experimenting with, reaching for and discovering came together in John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme: Acknowledgement". Beautiful melodies, intensity, and a spiritual searching mark this track as most people's favorite Coltrane recording, backed with his classic quartet of McCoy Tyner on piano, Elvin Jones on drums and Jimmy Garrison on bass - all giving full support and enthusiasm. Be prepared to have the vocal hook stuck in your head. These tracks will make you something of a expert on what makes jazz so wonderful, as well as someone who is able to recognize the sound of these five jazz household names. Enjoy!










Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Playlist for 8-25-2014 WFCF - Jazz Greats!


"Rhapsody Soothes" - artJMOB
acrylic
Visit the artist's website!




Just having fun today - spinning a bunch of the albums I've reviewed lately along with some classics and favorites! Hour two should be a good time - a mix of old vinyl and new releases. Tune in online by clicking here. Say hey on the Twitter! See you then (3-7pm eastern) - Kendo







Hour One:

George Cables - "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" - In Good Company (2015)

Giacomo Gates - "If I Were You, Baby, I'd Love Me" - Everything Is Cool (2015)

    3:15 Jazz Coffee Break

Judy Wexler - "Convince Me" - What I See (2013)
Judy Wexler


Adam Schroeder - "In The Middle of a Kiss" - Let's (2013)

Ed Reed - "Baby Baby All the Time" - I'm a Shy Guy (2013)


Fred Hersch and Julian Lage - "Free Flying" - Free Flying (2013)

Steve Wilson|Lewis Nash - "Freedom Jazz Dance" - Duologue (2013)

Wilkins & Allen Quartet - "Let's Get Lost" - Petty Theft (2001)

Ella Fitzgerald - "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart" - Sings the Duke ellington Song Book (1957)

Cal Tjader - "Cherry" - Mambo With Tjader (1954)


Cal Tjader - "Sonny Boy" - Mambo With Tjader (1954)
 
Hour Two:


Stan Getz & Luiz Bonfa - "O Morro Nao Tem Vez" - Jazz Samba Encore! (1963)

Jim Martinez - "Bang! (for Derrick Bang)" - Good Grief! (2015)

Sarah Vaughan - "Ain't Misbehavin" - in Hi Fi (comp 1955)
Antonio Adolfo


Antonio Adolfo - "Alegria for All" - Tema (2015)

Chris Connor - "Blue Silhouette" - Bethlehem's Best (comp.)


Conte Candolli - "Tune for Tex" - Bethlehem's Best (comp.)

Donald Vega - "Eleuthera" - With Respect to Monty (2014)

Howard McGhee - "Tweedles" - Bethlehem's Best (comp.)

Dee Dee Bridgewater - "Big Chief" - Dee Dee's Feathers (2015)

Joe Derise - "My Romance" - Bethlehem's Best (comp.)

Hour Three:


Wayne Shorter - "Footprints" - Adam's Apple (1966) Ride Home!

Dan Jordan - "Night and Day" - Pure Joy (2015)

Stan Getz - "Don't Worry 'Bout Me" - Jazz On Savoy 1957-1962

Mark Buselli - "Istanbul" - Untold Stories (2013)

J.J. Johnson - "Audobon" - Jazz On Savoy 1957-1962

Terri Lyne Carrington (with Chaka Khan) - "I'm a Fool to Want You" - The Mosaic Project: Love and Soul (2015)
Terri Lyne Carrington
photo: Tracy Lord


Andrea Wood - "Intuition" - Kaleidoscope (2014)

Johnny Smith - "I'll Remember April" - Walk Don't Run (1954)

Jack McDuff - "Groovin'" - Down Home Style (1969)

Ruby Braff - "Easy Living" - Bethlehem's Best (comp.)

Hour Four:

Jack Mouse - "Hip Check" - Range of Motion (2012)
Jack Mouse


Ray Brown's All Stars - "For Hecklers Only" - Dizzy Gillespie Odyssey 1945-1952 (1946)

Sonny Stitt & Bud Powell - "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm" - Sonny Stitt & Bud Powell (1949)

Sonny Stitt & Bud Powell - "Sonny Side" - Sonny Stitt & Bud Powell (1949)

Sonny Stitt & Bud Powell - "Bud's Blues" - Sonny Stitt & Bud Powell (1949)

Sonny Stitt & Bud Powell - "Sunset" - Sonny Stitt & Bud Powell (1949)

Bob Mintzer Big Band - "Get Up!" - Get Up! (2014)

Christian McBride Trio - "Interlude" - Live at the Village Vanguard (2014)

Johnny Hartman - "Once In a While" - Unforgettable Songs (1966)

Steve Owen - "Fall Down Seven, Stand Up Eight" - Stand Up Eight (2011)

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Long-Ass Car Ride Reviews - Duets! Steve Wilson, Lewis Nash

Long-Ass Car Ride Reviews: I take long-ass car rides, I listen to albums, I let you know if they are worthwhile.

Photo (C) John Abbott
To be honest - duo albums are not usually go-to albums for me. Often there is pomposity and heaviness or just a barrenness that can't be overcome by talent. Coincidence had me grab these 2 duet albums for a driving weekend. Boy! was I ever pleased that both were so awesome. Fun & musicality prevail for both.




Superb musicians having quality fun!
Steve Wilson|Lewis Nash - "Duologue" (2013) 8.75/10
 
Steve Wilson - saxes; Lewis Nash - drums


In a word - delightful

Both the title and the artwork had me a bit worried, but this is the best album I've heard in a long while, period. It is simply delightful all the way through. There is never a moment where you miss a fuller rhythm section or harmonic bedding. A wonderful balance of lightheartedness and intrigue pervades; the only real serious moments, and they are excellent, are for the Steve Wilson originals - "Black Gold" being particularly fine with funky, quirky hooks and Wilson's brilliant soprano chops. Other highlights include lightly driving alto and drums on a bright and splendid "Jitterbug Waltz". Thelonious Monk's angular approach adapts so well to the sparsity - both medleys thrill and entice. A solo drums version of "Freedom Jazz Dance"? Genius! Lewis Nash demonstrates the sensitivity that makes him one of the best drummers on the planet today, making everything sound easy and fun. Steve Wilson's tone on both horns has beautiful appeal - his abundant flow of ideas draw you in immediately on the two opening Ellington selections. Ornette Coleman's "Happy House" was a neat and fitting choice. Then there's the sound - simply stunning (kudos, Jay Dudt); Nash's drums sound so darn good! If you buy one album in this year's set of reviews - make it this one. Very satisfying!



two jazz giants mesh!

Fred Hersch and Julian Lage - "Free Flying" (2013) 8.25/10

Fred Hersch - piano; Julian Lage - guitar

In a word - lightness

There is of course more headiness involved with this duo than the above album, but surprisingly "Free Flying" is also mostly a lighthearted and occasionally whimsical affair. The empathy displayed in the opening "Song Without Words #4: Duet" is astonishing; especially considering these two only met in 2011. The sound at the club Kitano is so right for the timbre presented; I remember being surprised to hear applause at the end of this one - not at all sounding like a 'live' album. "Down Home (for Bill Frissell)" is appropriately bluesy/gospelly, but much more uplifting and good-spirited than anything Frissell has put out! All of the Fred Hersch dedicated originals are slyly fitting. "Free Flying" is an exceptional work; playful, puckish and memorable - all the while the tightness of Hersch & Lage is jaw-dropping. The audience is particularly dazzled by this one and the similarly clever, bluesy "Stealthiness". "Gravity's Pull" and a heartfelt but airborn "Beatrice" (Sam River's haunting classic) are the best cuts; there is just so much improvisatory talent here, as well as very astute comping behind one another. The closing "Monk's Dream" also wows. Hopefully these two will continue to record together - this is nearly perfect modern jazz.






Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Playlist for 8-18-2015 WFCF - Vinyl and more!


neat album I picked up at Cosmic Vinyl in Titusville





This week we'll listen to some vinyl I've recently acquired by Frank Sinatra, Ray Bryant, Freddie Hubbard - and we'll do a whole side of a Riverside release (with the cool cover above) featuring their artists playing Dizzy compositions. Much more and new releases! Tune in online by clicking here and say hi on Facebook! 3-7pm eastern. See you then! - Kendo

 

Hour One:

Grant Green - "Dracula" - Green is Beautiful (1970)

Cal Tjader - "I Love Paris" - A Night At the Black Hawk (1958)

    3:15 Jazz Coffee Break

Julie London - "No Moon at All" - Time for Love (comp.)

Art Pepper - "Here's That Rainy Day" - Living Legend (1975)
one of his great lps with Nelson Riddle


Frank Sinatra - "Blues in the Night" - Only the Lonely (1958)

Wes Montgomery - "Wives and Lovers" - Tequila (1966)

Joni Mitchell - "You're My Thrill" - Both Sides Now (2000)

Ray Bryant Trio - "Gotta Travel On" - Gotta Travel On (1966)

Dee Dee Bridgewater/Irvin Mayfield - "One Fine Thing" - Dee Dee's Feathers (2014)

Ramsey Lewis - "Living For the City" -- Taking Another Look (1974)

Hour Two:

Ella Fitzgerald - "Sophisticated Lady" - Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book (1957)

Dexter Gordon - "Settin' the Pace Parts I & II" - Jazz On Savoy 1957-1962

Gerry Mulligan Sextet- "Mud Bug" - Presenting the Gerry Mulligan Sextet (1955)
 

Gerry Mulligan Sextet- "Sweet and Lovely" - Presenting the Gerry Mulligan Sextet (1955)

Dizzy Gillespie - "Emanon" - Odyssey 1945-1952 (1946)

Bill Warfield and the Hell's Kitchen Funk Orchestra - "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" -
another great one from Terri
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (2015)

Terri Lyne Carrington - "When I Found You" - The Mosaic Project; Love and Soul (2015)

Bobby Broom - "No Bad Vibes" - Clean Sweep (1981)

Hour Three:

Shelly Manne & His Men - "Step Lightly" - At the Black Hawk Vol. 2 (1959) Ride Home!

Mark Buselli - "What About Me" - Untold Stories (2013)

Jack McDuff - "Moon Rappin'" - Moon Rappin' (1969)

Shelly Manne - "Comeback" - Perk Up (1967)

Carmen McRae - "Monkery's The Blues" - Carmen Sings Monk (1988)

Mark Chiriboga - "Beachside Girl" - Mark Chiriboga (2011)

Jason Miles - "Flamenco Sketches" - Miles to Miles (2005)

Thelonious Monk - "Monk's Mood" - Genius of Modern Music (1947)

Hour Four:

Freddie Hubbard - "Sky Dive" - Sky Dive ()

Duke Ellington - "Just Squeeze Me" - The Best of the Duke Ellington Centennial Edition (1946)

Jim Martinez - "Surfin' Snoopy" - Good Grief! (2015)

Giacomo Gates - "Everything Is Cool" - Everything Is Cool (2015)
Luis Podermo


Luis Perdomo - "Love Tone Poem" - Twenty-Two (2014)

David Sanborn - "Can't Get Next To You" - Time and the River (2014)

Mulgrew Miller - "Soul-Leo" - Wingspan (1987)

Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery - "King of the Road" - Further Adventures of Jimmy and Wes (1966) 


Doug Carn - "Eternal Triangle" - My Spirit (2015)

Monday, August 17, 2015

InstaCollection - Goin' Back Some!

InstaCollection! - start or freshen up your jazz collection with DJ Kendo recommendations! Buy downloads for your phone/pc using the handy links below or just load the titles into your favorite music streaming service!

This week here are 3 choice jazz cuts from way back. Technically, these would all be "sides" since they all originally were released on 10 inch 78rpms.




Louis Armstrong's Hot Five - "Struttin' With Some Barbecue" -one of those "must hear before you die" recordings, Armstrong's arrangement of his first wife's strong composition is wildly entertaining start to finish; his own trumpet playing already so distinguished and rich, his improvisatory skills matched with a rare rhythmic genius that spilled over abundantly into his singing later on. Johnny Dodds - clarinet, Kid Ory - trombone, Johnny St. Cyr - banjo and Lil Hardin (Armstrong) - piano. Recorded in Chicago 12-9-1927.

Dizzy Gillespie - "Salt Peanuts"
- aside from being a classic that features Charlie Parker on alto; this is an astonishing display of Dizzy's creativity, squeezing so much music into 3 minutes with careful arranging and a serious adeptness at swinging (as well as a place for Dizzy's unique humor!) The 2-28-1945 recording also features Clyde Hart on piano, Slam Stewart on bass, Eddie Palmieri on guitar and Cozy Cole plays drums. Groundbreaking then, and still remarkable!


Duke Ellington - "Just Squeeze Me" - sass and sophistication, no one did it better! Duke is on piano and lead trumpeter Ray Nance takes the vocal. Taft Jordan and Shorty Baker also are in the trumpet section. Several ensemble crescendos with a repeated riff (and fairly experimental harmonies) build a unique tension and add to the foot tapping. Recorded 7-9-1946.







Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Long-Ass Car Ride Review - Mark Buselli

Long-Ass Car Ride Reviews: I take long-ass car rides, I listen to albums, I let you know if they are worthwhile.


pretty artwork!
Mark Buselli - Untold Stories (2013) 7.75/10

Mark Buselli - trumpet, flugelhorn
Danny Walsh - saxophones
Steve Allee - piano
Jeremy Allen - bass
Steve Houghton - drums


In a word: pleasant!

Don't be fooled by the artwork - it isn't professor jazz and it's not boring straight-ahead, either. Very good players tackle very good, positive music. The opening title track has appealing melody and solos. Pianist Steve Allee's "Slider" could be right off of a 1965 Lee Morgan album. There's nothing wrong with that when it's done well, and it is. Buselli's take on Ellington's "Angelica" winds up being the best track among many good ones; alternating between a happy, gentle funk and swing; Saxophonist Danny Walsh sounds great, here. Buselli's soothing ballad

"Claude" is a nice showcase for his superb flugelhorn with a busy but cool solo, Allee really shines, as well. "Istanbul" is pleasantly jaunty but still manages to sneak in the neat chordal hooks that pervade throughout the album. The long form allows for a lot of great solos: Bassist Jeremy Allen has an excellent turn and Buselli is reminiscent of Art Farmer with fine tone and moody, pretty, searching lines. The pianist's "What About Me" (over "How About You" changes) is whimsical and Konitz-y with pop inspirations where everyone shows off their considerable bebop/postbop vocabulary; Walsh sounding particularly cozy on the alto, and drummer Houghton finally getting some. The combo of alto/flugelhorn in unison is very nice, at times sounding like a human voice. "Jetstream" makes a good closer with it's simplistic melodies and strong outings from everyone. Nice sound from all, an excellent band with modern, feel-good music. Winning!





Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Playlist for 8-11-2015 WFCF - Jazz Greats!












"City Piano" - Brittany Purdum
acrylic painting
visit the artist's website!


Winging the 2nd hour - everything else was planned this morning. Lots of great new releases and albums new to the show! Tune in by clicking here. See you then! - Kendo

Hour One:

Gypsophilia - "Boo Doo Down" - Night Swimming (2014)

Antonio Adolfo - "Alegria For All" - Tema (2015)

    3:15 Jazz Coffee Break

Rudy Royston - "Goodnight Kinyah" - 303 (2013)

Julie London - "I Surrender Dear" - Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast (1967)


Dave Brubeck Quartet - "Spring in Central Park" - Jazz Impressions of NY (recorded 51 years ago on 8-11-1964)

Lee Morgan - "Rigormortis" - Tom Cat (recorded 51 years ago on 8-11-1964)

Ed Reed - "I Can't See For Lookin'" - I'm a Shy Guy (2013)

Ermesc Gonzalez - "Regreso" - Introspection ()

James Leary - "Today's Song" - Together (1980)


Billie Holiday - "Solitude" (1947)

Hour Two:

Ella Fitzgerald - "Just Squeeze Me" - Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book (1957)

Grant Green - "Mama Inez" - The Latin Bit (1962)

Terrell Stafford - "Stop Start" - BrotherLEE Love (2014)

Jeff "Tain" Watts - "May 15, 2011" - Blue, Vol. 1 (2014)


Gonzalo Rubalcaba - "Giraldilla" - Giraldilla (1989)

East Coast Standards Time - "Xibaba" - Impressions (2007)


Flying Horse Big Band - "Tin Tin Deo" - Into the Mystic (2014)

Cannonball Adderley - "I Cover The Waterfront" - Cannonball Adderley and Strings (1955)

Hour Three:

John Coltrane - "Blue Train (alternative take)" - Blue Train (1957) Ride Home!
   
Heads of State - "Capuchin Swing" - Search For Peace (2015)

George Freeman/Chico Freeman - "Dark Blue" - All In The Family (2015)

Michael Brecker - "Song for Bilbao" - Tales from the Hudson (1996)

Miles Davis - "Ah-Leu-Cha" - 'Round About Midnight (1955)

Oran Etkin - "Taxi Dance" - Gathering Light (2014)

Earl Klugh Trio - "One Note Samba" - Volume One (1991)

Hour Four:


Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers - "Right Down Front" - Hard Drive (1957)

Roy Haynes Quartet - "Moon Ray" - Out of the Afternoon (1962)
   
Norah Jones - "The Nearness of You" - Come Away With Me ()

Sarah Vaughan - "Easy to Love" - After Hours (1961)

Chet Baker - "Like Someone In Love" - Chet Baker Sings (1956)

Jeff Berlin - "Lien On Me" - Lumpy Jazz (2004)

Harold Mabern - "Such Is Life" - Afro Blue (2014)

Cassandra Wilson - "Billie's Blues" - Coming Forth By Day (2014)

??

Stanley Turrentine - "Gibraltar" - Salt Song (1971) CTI Moment!



Thursday, August 6, 2015

InstaCollection - Cool Wes Cuts!

InstaCollection! - start or freshen up your jazz collection with DJ Kendo recommendations! Buy downloads for your phone/pc using the handy links below or just load the titles into your favorite music streaming service!




This weeks installment features 3 cuts from Wes Montgomery you may not have but should! "Beaux Arts" is actually a Montgomery Brothers recording from 1961, but this is the quasi-Latin trio version (with Monk Montgomery on bass) where Wes lays down statement after statement of relentless grooving mixed with astonishing expressiveness. "Dearly Beloved" has both killer B3 man Melvin Rhyne and Wes delivering rapid-fire soulful bop lines over the clever arrangement while Jimmy Cobb drives this way-uptempo swinger. How did Wes play these lines with his thumb?? "Willow Weep For Me" is a tremendously satisfying reading of Ann Ronnell's standard, Wes in prime form, often overlooked since it comes off a late CTI release. Don't miss it! 




Monday, August 3, 2015

Playlist for 8-4-2015 WFCF - Jazz Greats!


"Sounding the Trumpet" - Edward Carlos
oil on canvas
Visit the artist's website!


For this week's show there is a heavy concentration of artist's found in the "M" section! Mobly, Montgomery, Morgan, McDuff, Mover, MMW, McLean, McKusick and... more! lol Plenty of slots for new releases, and there's some J's, K's and L's in there, too. All of it is excellent. Tune in via iHeart by clicking here, or locally at 88.5 on your FM dial (St. Augustine, Flagler Beach, Palm Coast...). See you then! - Kendo



Hour One:

Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet - "Shutterbug" - Intercambio (2015)

Cyrus Chestnut - "Hello" - A Million Colors In Your Mind (2014)

    3:15 Jazz Coffee Break

Julie London - "No Moon At All" - Julie Is Her Name (1955)

Julie London - "'Round Midnight" - Around Midnight (1960)

Scott Marischen - "Alligator Alley" - Alligator Alley (2011)

Jack McDuff Big Band - "Put On a Happy Face" - Prelude (1963)


Jackie McLean - "Our Love Is Here to Stay" - McLean's Scene (1957)
classic MMW


Medeski, Martin & Wood - "Syeeda's Song Flute" - It's a Jungle In Here (1993)

Ella Fitzgerald - "Satin Doll" - Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book (1957)

Ron Miller - "Seventh Sign" - Peacock Park (2010)

Hour Two:

Brecker Brothers - "Rocks" - The Brecker Brothers (1975)

J.J. Johnson & Kai Winding - "I Concentrate On You" - The Great Kai & J.J. (1960)

Kristin Korb - "Them There Eyes" - What's Your Story? (2012)

Milt Jackson - "Lost April" - Olinga (1974) CTI Moment!

Hal McKusick - "Something New" - Triple Exposure (1957)
fun!


Bob Mover - "I Hadn't Anyone Till You - My Heart Tells Me (2010)

Daniel Lantz Trio - "The James Bond Theme" - Plays Bond (2012)
   
Cecile McLorin Salvant - "Growlin' Dan" - For One to Love (2015)

Takeshi Asai - "Beginning Again" - French Trio Vol. 2 (2014)

Hour Three:

Lee Morgan - "Exotique" - Tom Cat (1964) Ride Home!
   
Terri Lyne Carrington - "Come Sunday" - The Mosaic Project: Love and Soul (2015)

Robert Glasper - "Reckoner" - Covered (2014)

George Cables - "Mr. Anonymouse" - In Good Company (2015)
   
Lorraine Feather - "159" - Attachments (2013)

Wes Montgomery - "Yesterdays" - The Wes Montgomery Trio (1959)

Oran Etkin - "Gambang Suling" - Gathering Light (2014)

Trio Shalva - "Eleanor Rigby" - Breeza (2013)

Hank Mobely - Lee Morgan - "High and Flighty" - Peckin' Time (1958)

Johnny Hartman - "Almost Like Being In Love" - Unforgettable (1966)

Hour Four:

Adam Schroeder - "Southside Samba" - Let's (2013)

Jack McDuff - "English Country Gardens" - I Got a Woman ()
on the lighter side!

   
The Miami Jazz Project - "Lordy Lourdes" - The Miami Jazz Project (2014)

Gloria Estefan - "Embraceable You" - The Standards (2013)

Jacques Lesure - "Remember to Smile" - Camaraderie (2014)
   
Steve Davis - "Pinnacles" - Say When (2014)

Cassandra Wilson - "Crazy He Calls Me" - Coming Forth By Day (2014)

Earl Klugh Trio - "Bewitched" - Volume One (1991)

Mars 4-Tet - "Sleepless" - The Blind Watchman (2014)
 

Long-Ass Car Ride Review! - World Jazz from NYC

Long-Ass Car Ride Reviews: I take long-ass car rides, I listen to albums, I let you know if they are worthwhile.


Trio Shalva

This week coincidence strikes again! Both albums I grabbed were recorded at The Bunker in Brooklyn, and both album artists were born in Israel and embrace a new-ish approach to jazz, mixed with forms/songs from their homeland, surrounding middle eastern countries, and beyond. They also both make great driving music!







Trio Shalva - "Breeza" (2013) 7.5/10

Assaf Gleizner - piano, melodica, guitar
Koby Hayon - bass, oud
Nadav Snir-Zelniker - drums, percussion

In a word: cool

Good stuff. A mix of Hebrew songs, originals and some Beatles & Bjork; with modern arrangements reflecting their origin, variety of tone colors thanks to the multi-instrumental skills, and all played with serious spunk. Their is some metric modulation played expertly that will tickle others in the know. For the rest of the, there are plenty of hip Hebrew melodies employed, cool mid-eastern riffs that drive and rock, [both found in the excellent opener "Mizmor Laila (Melody of the Night)" as well as the enlivened and upgraded "Eleanor Rigby"] fun twists in swing and tempo changes ("Ani Godin"), and for those who dig mideastern folk/improvisation there is the splendid oud playing of Koby Hayon blendid with haunting melodica by Gleizner on "Yad Anuga (A Delicate Hand)". Some ballady but artistically fluid piano trio cuts balance things out (the waltz-meets-freetempo "Isabella"). Hard to pick a favorite, but the uptempo opener has many delights. These guys are a good unit. You will dig. 





Oran Etkin - "Gathering Light" (2013) - 7.5/10

Oran Etkin - bass clarinet, clarinet, tenor sax
Ben Allison - bass; Curtis Fowlkes - trombone
Lionel Loueke - guitar, vocals; Nasheet Waits - drums



In a word: fanciful


Very cool trio numbers with just bass, drums and bass clarinet; and quintet numbers that have neat instrumentation. The players obviously are relishing this music. Oran Etkin has a sumptuous clarinet tone, his bass clarinet is downright astonishing. The album opens with "Gambang Suling", an Indonesian folk song that cooks and immediately shows off Etkins range and expression on the bass clarinet. "Taxi Dance" is a fanciful romp in 6, one of three numbers about an imaginary, mischievous globetrotter named Tony (!) where Etkin's delightful clarinet and Curtis Fowlkes trombone have a marvelous, dixieland-like rapport. Another fine element and timbre in the mix is Lionel Loueke, who frequently employs electronics to delightful and ear-tickling effect, and fits perfectly behind the horns, when he's not taking fully committed solos. Between numbers like the quirky and oddly funky "All I Really Wanna Do Is Dance" (duo with marvelous bassist Ben Allison) are calmer, reflective pieces like "Shirim Ad Kan" and "Scattering Light", the latter showing Etkin to have a unique voice on tenor as well, and the capacity to entertain at slower tempos. Tunes from Asia, Belgium, a Yiddish song and even a chilled "When It's Sleepy Time Down South" add even more variety; yet somehow the album comes out congruently as a whole, and will likely entice you back for more listens than you may have predicted. Kudos!