Double X chromosomes at the microphone… The VKB vocal band of Rachelle Garniez also on various stringed instruments, harp and percussion, Amanda Homi hitting the drums, keyboards and “various things shaken and stirred” and Terry Radigan on banjo and Gibson…
Author: George W. Harris
Matt Gold: Imagined Sky
Guitarist Matt Gold creates moods ranging from 50s rock to pastoral folk on this album with Bryan Doherty/b, Jeremy Cunningham/dr as a core team with guests on vocals, violin, synthesizer and bass. Hints of Dick Dale or The Ventures are…
Bobby Watson: Keepin’ It Real
One of the true carriers of the Hard Bop torch, alto saxist Bobby Watson plays to his strengths at February 20, 2020 gig (must’ve been right before the COVID lockdown) with a classic quintet team of pianist Victor Gould, bassist…
Julio Botti: Pure Tango
This is about the 3rd or 4th album I’ve heard by saxist Julio Botti, and each one has been impressive in its own right. This time around he keeps the music in tiny settings of duets, trios and occasional quartets on…
FEMALE FORMS…Linda Lavin: Love Notes, Janet Dacal: My Standards
A pair of albums by ladies that also make a living on stage or theater… Linda Lavin is best known for her role in the sitcom Alice, and shows here that she knows how to work a lyric as well,…
Swingadelic: Bluesville
This big band may come from NYC, but they sure sound like they stayed awhile in either Kansas City or Memphis, as they’ve got the steady southern swing down pat. You’ve got a steady Basie beat with John Bauers on…
SOUNDS FROM OUTSIDE…Flaherty/Roberson/Colbourne/Hunt: Borrowed From Children, Jerkagram & Martin Escalante: Parkour, Dylan Jack Quartet: The Tale Of The Twelve-Foot Man, Daniel Carter/Matthew Shipp/William Parker/Gerald Cleaver: Welcome Adventure
Musicians that take you on a white-knuckler of a ride. Hold on to your hat! Paul Flaherty plays alto and tenor sax, James Chumley Hunt is on trumpet and conch shells, Mike Roberson hits the electric guitar with drummer Randall…
Michel Hausser: Mr. Vibes Quartet & Octet Sessions 1958-1960
Just like bebop clarinet players, the niche of European vibes players is pretty much an uncharted map. Frenchman Michel Hausser cornered the market back in the bop era of 1958-60, with this two disc collection showing that he could hold…
THE LAST OF A BREED…Bobby Rush: Rawer Than Raw
10,000 years from now, when the re-excavate the La Brea Tar Pits, they’re going to find the bones of Bobby Rush firmly grasping on to his harmonica, and they’ll make a display of him in the Natural History Museum in…
ESSENTIAL HARD BOP AND ROCKABILLY FROM AVID…The Miles Davis Quintet: Four Classic Albums, Rockabilly Legends: Five Classic Albums Plus
The latest releases by UK’s Avid Records includes some music that is essential for understanding Western Civilization In 1956, Miles Davis signed a lucrative contract with Columbia Records, which put the trumpet star on the map. In order to get…