The Philippines have a rich and widely varied culture, having been under the control of various countries. Because of that, its music is rich with exotic and yet accessible sounds. Here are a pair of intriguing albums that mix jazz…
Month: January 2021
*****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Nicolas Meier World Group: Magnificent
This is about the third album that I’ve reviewed by Jeff Beck alumnus and guitarist Nicolas Meier, and it might be his most impressive yet. It’s definitely the most ambitious, since it has 3 discs worth of music. The three…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Damia’ Timoner: Jerry’s Smilin’-A Guitar Tribute to the Grateful Dead
I’ve never been the biggest fan of the Grateful Dead (sorry, everyone!), but Spain-based guitarist Damia’ Timoner makes me want to become one. The nylon stringer takes the Dead songbook (mostly form Jerry Garcia’s pen) and gives gorgeous and personal…
Carla Marciano Quartet: Psychosis-Homage to Bernard Herrmann
Some of the greatest film scores were composed by Bernard Herrmann (1911-1975), and leader Carla Marciano uses her sopranino and alto saxes to team up with Alessandro La Corte/p-key, Aldo Vigorito/b and Gaetano Fasano/dr to deliver some rich interpretations of…
WAY OUT WEST…Little Richard: Southern Child
There’s been a surfeit of archival reissues from the catalogue of Little Richard, probably due to his entrance into heaven earlier this year. I guarantee you that this latest album is one for the books. It’s never been released before…
Taber Gable: Hidden Driveways
Born in Tennessee and now living in NYC, keyboardist Taber Gable mixes sounds of Motown and poppish R&B on this soulful jazz album with Sarah Hanahhan/as, Andrew Renfroe/g, Jonathan Pinson/dr and Kyle Miles/b on this collection of self-penned tunes. His…
The Mariel Bildsten Quintet: Backbone
Warm toned trombonist Mariel Bildsten leads a classy post bop team of Stacy Dillard/ts-ss, Sean Mason/p, Ben Wolfe/b and Evan Sherman/dr through a collection of infectious toe tappers and dreamy atmospheres. The front line of her with Dillard on the…
Patrick Cornelius: Acadia-The Way of the Cairns
Rich toned alto saxist Patrick Cornelius leads a quartet of Michael Janisch/b, Krisjan Randalu/p and Paul Wiltgen/dr through a collection of thoughtful post bop originals. Cornelius and company show their bop bonafides on pieces like the title tune, with Janisch…
HUES OF BLUES…Duke Robillard & Friends: Blues Bash!, Steve Strongman: Tired Of Talkin’
One of today’s greats, Duke Robillard, pulls out his Gibson paintbrush and paints the town blue as he sings and plays with a juke joint jumping team of Bruce Bears/p-org, Mark Teixeira/dr, Jesse Williams-Marty Ballou/b, a sax section of Greg…
Kevin Sun: (Un) Seaworthy
Deep toned saxist Kevin Sun leads a post bop trio with bassist Walter Stinson and drummer Matt Honor through a handful of intuitively swinging originals. Sun is reminiscent of mid period Sonny Rollins, loosely bopping over the nimble groove on…