The Tremble Kids All Stars - "Play Chicago Jazz"
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Extant since the mid-fifties on the European jazz scene, The Tremble
Kids retain two of their original members, Werner Keller
(clarinet/vocal) and Walter Leibundgut (trombone/vocal), though pianist
Henri Chaix (1959), drummer Charley Antolini (1957), and trumpeter Peter
Lange (1961) can hardly be considered new arrivals. Peter Schmidli
(guitar) and Vincenz Kummer (bass) round out this septet in their 1997
release recorded at Winterthur, Switzerland, an outing affectionately
labelled "Condon Jazz". Over the years, joined on occasion by such
American notables as Buck Clayton, Roy Eldridge, Bud Freeman, and Sammy
Price (to name a few), their musical sources remained relatively
constant, and here they capture the essence of that tradition in a
propulsive, improvisatory manner with the likes of "Blues in the Air",
"Mama's Gone Goodbye", Armstrong's "Pretty Little Missie", and a rousing
jam session closer, "Tutti for Eddie". A fortuitous blend of experience,
passion and sheer joy makes this a compelling item. (J.S.)
Nagel Heyer 043 to order
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Vache/Allred/Metz Family Jazz Band - "Side by Side"
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Two generations of jazz musicians are featured on this 1997 CD, with
fathers and sons mixing up a swinging pot-pourri of numbers from the
20's, 30's and 40's. From the opening medley ("Side by Side"/"Ding Dong
Daddy") to a closing J.P. Johnson's "Old Fashioned Love", the septet
made up of Allan, Warren Jr, Warren Sr, Vache (clarinet, cornet, and
bass respectively), John and Bill Allred (trombones), and the duo of Ed
Metz Jr./Ed Metz Sr. (drums/piano), captures the flavour of that past on
compositions ranging from a 1920's hit ("Japanese Sandman"), a quiet
swinger from 1936 ("You Turned the Tables on Me"), to the Academy Award
winner of 1947 ("Zip-a-dee-doo-dah"). There's even a moody original by
Metz Sr. ("Blues for the Old Man"), as well as family outings with "No
One Else But You" (Vache's), and the Metze's on "Zip-a-dee¼.", the
Allred's on "Sandman". Liner notes by Vache Sr. offer insightful
background to the thirteen works on the disc. The group's rendition of
"Come Back Sweet Papa" is a lively highlight. (J.S.)
Nagel Heyer 042 to order
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Nick Brignola - "Poinciana"
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Multi-reed instrumentalist Nick Brignola sticks to his baritone sax on
this 1997 CD, and, in the company of pianist Phil Markowitz, bassist
Steve LaSpina, and drummer Billy Hart (with percussionist Café added on
three tracks), he proves not only his "remarkable muscularity and
exuberance (liner) with peppery incursions into Monk's "Well, You
Needn't" and free flight explorations of Rollin's "Airegin", but also an
imaginative, fluid articulation with such standards as "What'll I do?"
or "When You Wish Upon a Star". A strong rhythmic support throughout,
but especially with Tom Harrell's latinized "April Mist" or Strayhorn's
"Upper Manhattan Medical Group", adds another dimension upon which the
baritonist can pursue his improvisatory capabilities. This is salty
stuff indeed, on a par with the best of Pepper Adams, Ronnie Cuber, or
Cecil Payne. (J.S.)
Reservoir RSR CD 151 to order
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Kenny Colman - "Dreamscape" |
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Vancouver-based vocalist Kenny Colman, emerged from the virtual
obscurity of the club circuit to herald, perhaps, the restoration of a
popular art form too long out of vogue: the ballad singer capable of
making "¼.old songs sound new and new songs sound like old friends"
(liner). With touches of Tony Bennett and Andy Williams in his delivery,
with the lush accompaniment of the London Philharmonic and arrangements
(three) by Johnny Mandel and guest spots by harmonica virtuoso Toots
Theilmans, he puts together on this 1998 release a programme of familiar
and recent songs centred on the themes of promises, hopes, and lost
dreams. The anticipated inclusion of such standards as "Laura", "The
Days of Wine and Roses", "Stardust", or "As Time Goes By" come as no
surprise; however, relatively uncharted waters are explored with
Mandel's own "Where Do You Start?" and "I Wish I'd Met You", or Freddy
Heineken's "You Again" and "Lost on the Wind". The voice is sure, and
the accompaniment in keeping with the mood. This is no jazz recording,
but rather a tasteful, pleasant outing by a man who can and likes to
sing. (J.S.)
Justin Time 8466-2 to order
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World Saxophone Quartet - "Selim Sivad" |
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This 1998 venture by the ever-surprising WSQ is subtitled A Tribute to
Miles Davis. The foursome of Hamiet Bluiett, David Murray, Oliver Lake
and John Purcell present seven numbers (five by Davis) as "¼.a
comprehensive, intuitive exploration¼.of that elusive spirit" that
characterized his music over the years. In addition, the inclusion of
drummer/pianist Jack DeJohnette and African percussionists extends an
element of "improvisational fire" to the performances, especially on
such numbers as the unrelenting swirl of "Seven Steps to Heaven", the
polyrhythmic, somewhat funky "Tutu", and the sustained, rolling beat of
"All Blues". There is also the gentle, impressionistic percussive
underpinning behind the free play of horns on "Selim", and a bittersweet
rendition of the lyrical "Blue in Green". " The overall effect of this
collective improvisation is one of ingenuity, playfulness, and joyous
communal spirit" (liner). Never a dull moment
here. (J.S.)
Justin Time 119-2 to order
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David Murray - "Creole" (Standard Time vol 5) |
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The David Murray quintet, with James Newton (flute), Ray Drummond
(bass), D.D.Jackson (piano), Billy Hart (drums), and Murray on
tenor/bass clarinet, meets the percussion, flute des mornes, and guitar
ensemble from Guadeloupe on this 1997 disc, a melding of Afro-American
and Caribbean musical cultures. It's a heady encounter, loaded with
pervasive, intricate rhythms and joyous exchanges. Murray's own
compositions, "Guadeloupe Sunrise" and "Mona", offer a cornucopia of
sounds and tempi, the former a mixture of rich, dark tones etched with
brash discords, an instrumental call-response between guitar and tenor,
while the latter is an all-out session of seething, scorching interplay
of drums, tenor, flute and piano. As well, there is an animated
guitar/tenor duet capturing "Guadeloupe After Dark", and infectious,
melodic blending of voice and bass clarinet on "Flor Na Paul". It would
have been rewarding to know more about musical sources, but the liner
notes provide only minimal information, unfortunately.
(J.S.)
Justin Time 115-2 to order
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Jeri Brown/Leon Thomas - "Zaius" |
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Vocalist Jeri Brown assembles a formidable host of musicians - john
Hicks (piano), bassists Curtis Lundy and Avery Sharpe, tenormen David
Murray/Don Braden, drummer Sangoma Everett - as well as the inimitable
voice stylings of Leon Thomas on this 1998 CD, an eclectic collection of
originals, popular standards and jazz-oriented compositions. With
immaculate phrasing and a vocal range extending from deep tonal
colourations to gritty, strident flights into the upper register (shades
of Cleo Laine, Norma Winstone, Annie Ross!), she joins the easily
recognizable Thomas on a playful version of Joe Carroll's 1956 hit
"Oo-Shoo-Be-Doo-Be", the rhythmically hypnotic "The Creator Has a Master
Plan", a Slam Stewartsish treatment of Sharpe's "Uncle from Ghana", and
an Ellington-Monk-Berlin medley with "It Don't Mean a Thing"/"In Walked
Bud"/"Blue Skies" with scat exchanges riding over the melodies. The
supporting cast provides sterling rhythmic backup and sparkling solo
breaks throughout, but notably on the lengthy Afrocentric title
tune. (J.S.)
Justin Time 117-2 to order
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Various Artists - "Jazz Montreal" |
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This June, 1998 release represents a cross-section of musicians who,
over the years, have contributed to the fabric of Montreal's jazz scene,
either as local celebrities, long time residents, or short term
visitors. Whatever their roles, they have left their respective marks on
the city's musical development. The compilation here ranges from
blues-oriented pieces by Johnny O'Neal, Charlie Biddle-Wray Downes and a
lively orchestral number under the aegis of Oliver Jones, to swinging,
up tempo originals with guitarist Richard Ring, Nelson Symonds, and the
free tenor flight of Joe Henderson with pianist Jon Ballantyne. In
addition, vocalist Ranee Lee introduces her own playful lyricism, Denny
Christianson a funky orchestral number, and Dave Turner a bouncy
alto/piano ride over a steady rhythmic pulse. A relaxed Bley/Greenwich
pairing rounds off the mix. Truly a jazz compendium for all tastes, and
at a budget price. (J.S.)
Justin Time JR 6650-2 to order
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Various Artists - "Justin Time Records - Retrospective: 1983-1998 |
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A CD twofer commemorating, retrospectively , the fifteenth anniversary
of Jim West's Justin Time label is now available; it has been offered
free to those purchasing a $10.00 pass to Friends of the Montreal Jazz
Festival, both a good marketing procedure and a worthy gesture in
support of a popular cause. The slate of musicians featured, local and
guests, numbers thirty or more, drawn from some 27 previously issued
albums, and the range of musical genres is staggeringly vast; piano
focussed pieces by Oliver Jones, Paul Bley, Jon Ballantyne, D.D.Jackson,
Jaki Byard, Hilario Duran; the reeds of Fraser MacPherson, Jane Bunnett,
David Murray, Hamiet Bluiett, Michael Marcus, WSQ; guitarists Sonny
Greenwich, Brian Hughes, Bryan Lee; vocals from Ranee Lee, Diana Krall,
Jeri Brown, and the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir; trumpeter Kenny
Wheeler, violinist Billy Bang, bassist Dave Young, and the aggregations
of Quartango and Denny Christianson. An impressive
collection! (J.S.)
Justin Time Justsam 1515-2 to order
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Highly recommended CD's without reviews, star rated
as follows:
***** Excellent
**** Good
New Releases |
Rating
| Artist
| Title
| Label & Cat. No.
|
**** | Oscar Peterson/
Benny Green | Oscar & Benny | Telarc
CD-83406 |
**** | Jessica Williams | Jessica's Blues | Jazz
Focus JFCD018 |
**** | Eliane Elias | Sings Jobim |
Blue Note CDP
7243
4 95050 2 5 |
**** | Louie Bellson | The Art of the Chart | Concord
CCD-4800
|
***** | Shirley Horn | I Remember Miles | Verve 314
557 199 |
***** | Dave Brubeck | So What's New? | Telarc
CD-83434 |
***** | International Allstars | play Benny Goodman vol 2 |
Nagel-Heyer 045 |
***** | Marian McPartland | Just Friends | Concord
CCD-4805 | ***** | Ellis Marsalis Trio | Twelve's
It | Columbia CK69123 |
***** | Kenny Barron | Things Unseen | Verve
314 537 315 | ***** | Winard Harper | Trap
Dancer | Savant SCD 2013 |
***** | Ron Carter Trio | So What? |
Blue Note
CDP
7243 4 94976 2 7 |
***** | James Carter | In Carterian Fashion |
Atlantic 83082-2 |
***** | Mike Stern | Give and Take |
Atlantic 83036-2 |
***** | John Scofield | A Go Go |
Verve 314 539 979 | ***** | Charlie Haden/Kenny Barron | Night and the
City | Verve 539 961-2 |
***** | Pat Martino & Joyous Lake | Stone Blue | Blue Note
CDP
7243 8 53082 2 2 |
***** | Greg Osby |
Zero | Blue Note
CDP
7243 4 93760 2 1 |
Reissues |
**** | Max Roach |
Max | Chess GRD-825 |
**** | Al Cohn Quintet | Al and Zoot |
Chess GRD-827 |
**** | Kenny Dorham | Jazz Prophets. Vol 1. | Chess
GRD-820 |
**** | Roland Kirk | Introducing.. |
Chess GRD-821 |
**** | George Russell | Jazz in the Space Age | Chess
GRD-826 |
**** | Quincy Jones | Go West Man! |
Chess GRD-828 |
**** | Lou Donaldson | Live: Fried Buzzard | Chess
GRD-829 |
***** | Charles Mingus | Complete 1959 Columbia Recordings
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Columbia
C3K
65145 | | | | |
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