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Robert R. CalderFeatures
The Profiler: Prestige Deserved and Revived as a Welcome NameWith a deep catalog spanning a specifically fertile period in jazz and including performances from some of the greatest names in jazz history, the revival of the Prestige label is celebrated with a massive simultaneous release of artist-specific compilations and samplers. But do the releases prove the vitality of the vaults? Results may vary. [21 February 2006] The Profiler: Prestige Deserved and Revived as a Welcome NameWith a deep catalog spanning a specifically fertile period in jazz and including performances from some of the greatest names in jazz history, the revival of the Prestige label is celebrated with a massive simultaneous release of artist-specific compilations and samplers. But do the releases prove the vitality of the vaults? Results may vary. Reviews
Hot Club Sandwich: Green RoomThe best gypsy swing is full of local accents, with a strong indentity, cosmopolitan and not monotonous. It is rare, and it is here. [23 January 2008] 
Corey Harris: Zion CrossroadsCorey Harris sings and plays Rasta Reggae hymns while offering spiritual assurance and giving musical insight. [7 January 2008] 
Alvin Queen: I Aint Lookin At YouVery energetic quintet date led by the young veteran European-exiled sometime Horace Silver and Oscar Peterson drummer. Stirring. [3 January 2008] 
Jim Mize: Release it to the SkyBroad mood music for a southern joint, to be danced or swooned to, over the talk and drink. [19 December 2007] 
James Booker: Manchester ‘77An inspired gig by the late celebrated genius of New Orleans piano. [18 December 2007] 
Various Artists: Rough Guide to African BluesThis disc is a nice mix of music, all African, some blues, maybe just a little "African Blues", but not a lot. [5 December 2007] 
Matt Shulman: So It GoesMultiphonics on trumpet sound, well, different. There's also a ballad to show Matt Shulman can do the standard thing as well as...anyone. [4 December 2007] 
Phil Woods Quintet: American Songbook IIThe music is well worth playing, and the alto saxophone master and his men know how to play it well, freshly. [20 November 2007] 
Avishai Cohen with Lionel Loueke: After the Big RainA nice combination of jazz and Africa, and at least three sometime boy-wonder performers who haven't disappointed. [13 November 2007] 
Gerry Mulligan and Billy Taylor: Live at MCGGerry Mulligan on top instrumental form, notably on ballads, just three years before his death, in quartet with the now venerable Dr. Taylor's piano. [18 October 2007] 
Andre Ceccarelli: Golden LandOne of the great jazz drummers, plus a major Italian pianist on top form. [15 October 2007] 
Romanian Jazz: Jazz from the Electrecord Archives 1966-1978Too small a selection from an archive including surprisingly wonderful jazz. [11 October 2007] 
Gaudi and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: Dub QawwaliSo well done, this dubbing of very sensitive reggae cum Pakistani accompaniments to unissued old vocal tracks of the late master is more musical triumph than novelty. [5 October 2007] 
Eldar: Re-ImaginationHow many fingers does a pianist need? Notes? Nuances? Something to say? Simplicity? [3 October 2007] Andrew Violette: RaveExt-rave-rt modern music with roots -- in late nineteenth century symphonic traditions. 
KCP 5 featuring Charlie Mariano: Many WaysBoston-Italian Mingus veteran spends Christmas with German pianist and three performers from the Karnataka College of Percussion in Bangalore, over Christmas and Boxing Days 2006. Swing! Joy! [2 October 2007] 
Booker Ervin: The Freedom BookA real master cut off in his prime, an individual tenor saxophonist mature beyond his years and in an ideal quartet. [28 September 2007] 
Luis Salinas: Solo GuitarraBrilliant young Argentinian guitarist who likes to caress, to evoke a range of beautiful sounds from his instrument. 
Carl Allen and Rodney Whitaker: Get ReadyMotown and Church, the rich mix of the music of the leaders' childhood, gives this set the basis of appeal beyond jazz fans. [27 September 2007] 
Evelyn Glennie: Touch the SoundRefreshingly unusual -- found sound, guest soundmakers, and an internationally leading percussionist who hears with her sense of touch. [26 September 2007] Jazz O’Maniacs: Sunset Cafe StompA cellar-matured band from Hamburg, Germany, seriously devoted to 1926 Louis Armstrong, finding in the USA even more inspiration in good company where Armstrong's legend especially burgeoned. [24 September 2007] 
Charlie Haden / Antonio Forcione: HeartplayAnother Haden duet set, with a brilliant and very interesting guitarist, aimed at and achieving beauty. [19 September 2007] 
Billy Bang Quartet featuring Frank Lowe: Above and BeyondFrank Lowe's last recording, a great tenor saxophonist who died of lung cancer in 2003, with friends affirmative to the end. [18 September 2007] 
The John Hemmersam/ Dom Minasi Quartet: The John Hemmersam/ Dom Minasi QuartetTwo guitarists plus a rhythm ensemble explore some beautiful gentle numbers, and now and then dwell in the avant-garde areas. [17 September 2007] 
Grant Green: The Finest in Jazz: Grant GreenA great jazz guitarist in mostly a non-great sub-genre. [13 September 2007] 
Nigel Kennedy: Blue Note SessionsThe notoriously famous concert violinist may not be the jazz star here, but he contributes a lot, and has A1 jazz company. [12 September 2007] 
Various artists: Think Global TangoInternational rather than global, and a good place to make discoveries about this and that within tango. [11 September 2007] 
Daniel Smith: The Swingin BassoonBassoonist and jazzman, the remarkable synthesis that is Daniel Smith! [10 September 2007] 
Led Bib: Sizewell TeaIf a man you despise loves smuuuthe jazz, buy him this and give him the needle, musically. [31 August 2007] 
Joel Frahm: We Used to DanceA young tenor saxophonist of emotional range, with Kenny Barron in rhythm that can't be improved on. [29 August 2007] 
Hillstomp: After Two but Before FiveHillstomp avoid the superfluous refinement which distances white blues conservationists from earlier performers. Bravo! [27 August 2007] 
Various Tango Performers: Think Global TangoOXFAM (anti-famine charity) gets a cut from this CD's profits. Learn more about tango artists; feed the hungry too. [8 August 2007] 
Michel Camilo: Spirit of the MomentDoes Michel Camilo appreciate quite how much is going on when he plays at his best? [3 August 2007] 
Acoustic Alchemy: This WayBlue Note issues easy listening, "pop-jazz" -- not entirely without jazz, far from entirely jazz. [24 July 2007] 
Hector Martignon: RefugeeA few star guests, and an amazing jazz and latin pianist when he gets going. He'll do better in the future, but he does well here. [20 July 2007] 
Cliff Eberhardt: The High Above and the Down BelowA rough and sometimes forced voice, and always some reminiscence of raw feeling, not without finesse. [28 June 2007] 
Mark Soskin: One Hopeful DayStraight up, and flying very right, if he was as high-profile as his playing is high-class, Mark Soskin would be famous even without Chris Potter at his very best, or John Patitucci, or Bill Stewart. [21 June 2007] 
Joey Calderazzo: AmenecerMagically lyrical playing in duo and solo; manful attempts at up-tempo jazz playing. [20 June 2007] 
Sylvain Luc: JokoAnother example of really classy jazz musicians doing the lighter thing -- very classily! [8 June 2007] 
Charles Davis: Land of DreamsVeteran individual jazz saxophonist is -- and delivers -- the real thing: empathy with a trio so able he might have been keeping it to himself. The opposite of half-hearted. [7 June 2007] 
Cowboy Roy Brown: Street SingerEleven points for charm; ace pre-blues, street-singing songster-guitarist -- gentle, comic, recorded in 1960 at age 85, a miracle! [4 June 2007] 
Oscar Peterson, Roy Brown, Milt Jackson: What’s Up?: The Very Tall Band1998: Ray Brown doing good old string bass things when Oscar Peterson's left hand had been reduced to less than normally superhuman by his stroke; Milt Jackson melodic; Kariem Riggins punching. [30 May 2007] 
Barrelhouse Buck McFarland: Alton BluesUnique! A major discovery: Barrelhouse blues piano like nobody does now. [25 May 2007] 
Omar Sosa and Greg Landau: DOCollage music, but not quite the African-American/African concerto the blurb suggests. [24 May 2007] 
Biréli Lagréne: Djangology / To Bi or Not to BiTwo more sides of the guitar ace, for versatile listeners. [18 May 2007] 
Ned Goold: March of the MalcontentsVery nice backing trio, serialist but sonorous saxophonist [14 May 2007] 
J.J. Grey and Mofro: Country GhettoAtmospheric, melancholy, mostly a preference for telling simplicity and slow rock with reminiscence by and large restrained of classic soul. [10 May 2007] 
Florian Ross: Big Fish and Small PondExtremely attractive piano trio not unduly engrossed in its own inventions. 
Bebo Valdes: BeboVeteran exile Cuban pianist solo, reviving a whole history of Cuban piano music, and lively with a slightly less veteran violinist. [4 May 2007] 
Watermelon Slim and the Workers: The Wheel ManVeteran blues reviver, field hollers alternate with harmonica or slide guitar. Always real! [30 April 2007] 
John Lindberg, Karl Berger: Duets 1Melodic, distinctive, and shapely piano and bass duets, more warm concert room than "free jazz". [26 April 2007] 
Richie Barshay: HomeworkA challenging percussionist, inspired by Indian music, moving through jazz to his own rhythmic fascination. [24 April 2007] 
Big Pete Pearson: Im Here, Baby!Solid stuff, from a not quite frontline blues veteran, with a A1 band, and Ike Turner guesting on two numbers (and stealing one). [20 April 2007] 
Brian Bromberg: Downright UprightEfficient? Supremely so. Exciting? Well... but perfectly played! [19 April 2007] 
John Patitucci: Line by LineA jazz bassist fluent in several musical languages, Elgar to Fred McDowell. [17 April 2007] 
Jimmy Burns: Live at B.L.U.E.S.Mellow Burns, bluesman on the fringe of R&B, nice voice, laid back, brilliant two-guitar work. [13 April 2007] 
Elliott Sharps Terraplane: Secret LifeBlues again, deep like Son House, with Hubert Sumlin, polychromatic-experimental- thoroughly-reconstructed to not quite rock or jazz. Unusual. [11 April 2007] 
Al di Meola: Consequence of ChaosFlamencofunk: greatly gifted guitarist, able arranger, starry support, compositions not so distinctive, or good improvising vehicles (little of that here). [14 February 2007] 
The Bad Hand: This Is No Time for ModestyA much admired set of mostly sonata-form punk, plus phone-tap, plus a respectable track of fiddle/guitar. Issued on white vinyl! [13 February 2007] 
ari hoenig: InversationsTerrific players, don't relax for a minute, passion not minimalism, postbop kickingly alive. [9 February 2007] 
Hendrik Meurkens: New York Samba Jazz QuintetMeurkens doubles on vibes and harmonica, and Jed Levy guests on tenor sax and flute on this live date, to great effect. Jazz in Brazilian! [6 February 2007] 
Dewey Jackson featuring Don Ewell: Live at the BarrelHistorically important St. Louis trumpeter, recorded less than a dozen titles in studios; wouldn't have been recorded again if he'd not substituted on this gig for another master who'd fallen ill. [2 February 2007] 
Third World Love: Sketch of Tel AvivStarts brilliantly, ends brilliantly... major jazz talents sandwiching lighter-weight excitement. [30 January 2007] 
Dirty Dozen Brass Band: Whats Going OnThis set by New Orleans transfusionists reworks the stuff of a 30-year-old Marvin Gaye album of the same name, "recorded in a nation torn by war, ecological disaster and poverty." Guess why! [25 January 2007] 
Junior Wells: Live at Theresas 1975The intimate Junior Wells? His heyday, his home gig, and -- for serious blues guitar fans -- half a set of beautifully clear Philip Guy; and on the other half Muddy Waters' favorite, Sammy Lawhorn. [24 January 2007] 
Bela Lakatos, and the Gypsy Youth Project: Introducing Bela Lakatos & The GYPFolk revival, Gypsy style, dance rhythms, and young people raising old songs from Central European by-ways. [23 January 2007] 
The Testament of Gideon Mack by James RobertsonSome of the more public statements of current Scottish academic critics show signs of having taken in others' washing without noticing that it isn't clean. [17 January 2007] 
John Lee Hooker: Specialty Profiles: John Lee HookerA short selection, bought or recorded by, and issued on the Specialty label, of Hooker in his early 1950s late prime. [16 January 2007] 
The Frank Hewitt Trio: Fresh from the CoolerThe classic trio of the unfashionably brilliant bop pianist, on excellent ballad form -- his first recording date issued at last. [15 January 2007] 
Ben Rileys Monk Legacy Septet: Memories of TEarly Gil Evans-style little big band with a great drummer plays Thelonious Monk compositions. [10 January 2007] 
Pete Zimmer Quintet with George Garzone: JudgmentA festival of an idea, a not always sufficiently acknowledged tenor saxophone master in collaboration with a brilliant young drummer and his outstanding band. [8 January 2007] 
Various Artists: New Orleans Reborn!Representative of a recovery of New Orleans music in New Orleans? Since this really is the genuine thing, you might hope so -- and for a recovery of the city around it! And a good conspectus on a laudable independent label! [5 January 2007] 
Michel Camilo and Tomatito: Spain AgainSeven years after their album Spain, a second virtuoso and sensitive distillation from the flamenco guitarist and the Dominican pianist. [4 January 2007] 
Count Basie: One Oclock Jump: The Very Best of Count Basiemodest sampler, immodestly billed, not unique, a few of Basie's best Columbia records. [21 December 2006] 
Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band: Dizzys BusinessSerious attempt at the best that can be done. Dizzy Gillespie would certainly have been very proud of some of this. [19 December 2006] 
Stephan Crump: RosettaNot loud, not simple, not rebarbative, not monotonous, not short on linear, harmonic or textural imagination. [15 December 2006] 
Michael Powers: Prodigal SonA ready roughness, no lack of vigour or talent, a bit rushed. Genre: early Rolling Stones with Brian Jones. [13 December 2006] 
Nils Petter Molvaer: Streamer / ERVery nice trumpeter, tape loop conductor, virtuoso of "effects" and electronica, Norse lord of hypnotic realms. [12 December 2006] 
Roy Milton: Specialty Profiles: Roy MiltonJump blues-jazz, very accomplished, solidly bejewelled with Camille Howard's boogie piano, good jazz solos, and Milton sang well. [8 December 2006] 
Rez Abbasi: BazaarAs in any bazaar there's a wide selection of things being offered. [6 December 2006] 
The Jeff Gauthier Goatette: One and the SameCategorizing this 39 minutes of music that takes itself so seriously as jazz is questionable, even if there is improvisation. [29 November 2006] 
Dexter Romweber: pianoShort programme, late Romantic post-Liszt piano music, freshly composed and freshly played con amore. [16 November 2006] 
Chico Hamilton: Juniflip/ Believe/ 6th Avenue Romp/ HeritageForce of music slightly disguises this set's 85th Birthday element. It's not about how long Chico Hamilton's been here, but what he does and why he's here! 
Billie Holiday: God Bless the Child: The Very Best of Billie HolidayAnother insufficiently bargain-priced, too short selection from Billie Holiday's happiest years. [15 November 2006] 
The Uptown Quintet: Live in New YorkUptown Quintet -- not quite hard bop, maybe contemporary delight bop from young lions who served their musical apprenticeships on Manhattan Island, and the one very together band they were. 
Does It Matter? by Graham Dunstan Martin[Martin] is as much at odds with Professors Dawkins and Dennet as was Stephen Jay Gould. [14 November 2006] 
Skip Heller: Mean Things Happening in This LandOrgan, guitar, and drums has been a standard hack format, so perhaps it's another quirk of Heller's to use it for something quirkily interesting. [12 November 2006] 
Yellowjackets: Twenty FiveA survey of the group's first-quarter century: history, musical thinking, and an instrumental meditation on global warming apparently cannot date. [2 November 2006] 
Walter Trout: Full CircleThe musical scenes from Walter Trout's lengthy and distinguished blues guitarist/singer career, revisited with old associates. Not quietly. [1 November 2006] 
Various Artists: Jazzin’ the Black Forest [DVD]What would have happened to European jazz without Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer? Fortunately, we'll never know. [26 October 2006] 
The Red Shoes (2005)This version of The Red Shoes is different shade of red; not quite as vibrant. [24 October 2006] 
The Roger Kellaway Trio: HeroesThe piano-guitar-bass trio format has a long, noble history in jazz, but exponents should beware of imitating. 
Kansas City Frank Melrose: BluesianaThe jazzman Frank Melrose was possibly murdered by the mob. His cornet partner Pete Daily fled to Canada after testifying at the inquest. In 1940, they'd recorded demo discs of their dream band, playing Chicago jazz. 66 years passed... [17 October 2006] 
Magic Slim & the Teardrops/ Joe Carter with Sunnyland Slim: That Aint RightThis split-LP from the past offers two different treasures dating back to 1977 -- early Magic Slim, the sensitive bluesman, an original in fine shading, and happily still with us; and the late Joe Carter, who in his final recording had his own way with the Elmore James repertoire. [16 October 2006] 
Harry Connick, Jr. / Branford Marsalis: A Duo OccasionConnick had to work to keep up with Marsalis, which he did apart from in quality of banter. Even though he'd the only voice mike. [12 October 2006] 
Caribbean Jazz Project: MosaicProfessional and accomplished and populated with classy musicians. [5 October 2006] 
Sean Jones: RootsSuperlative jazz trumpeter, sometimes with splendid saxophonist, but much of the time so very sanctified. [4 October 2006] 
Hot Club of Detroit: Hot Club of DetroitEvan Perri and others, including the dangerously brilliant Dave Bennett, extend the range of transDjangoReinhardt music. [3 October 2006] 
Jimmy Thackery with the Cate Brothers: In the Natural StateAs a 1920s record advert might say, it sure was a good day for the blues when Jimmy Thackery got together with the Cate Brothers. Arkansas music! [26 September 2006] 
Shawn Glyde: Alternate RhythmGlyde attempts to recreate the jazz album backwards, and while the results are strong, it seems like a mere stunt. [22 September 2006] 
Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials: RattleshakeAn heir to the so-called "reincarnation of Elmore James", Ed Williams, A1 blues slide guitarist, rocks blues in a strong little combo -- live! [19 September 2006] 
David Kimbrough Jr.: Shell-ShockedAt question is whether a musician can extend things in this or that direction, and very possibly the performer of "Shell Shocked" can. [13 September 2006] 
Tom Lellis: Avenue of the AmericasVery nice jazz singer with a relaxed, quiet, light baritone delivery, and something of an all-round musician. [11 September 2006] 
cephas and wiggins: Shoulder to ShoulderMelodic Virginian blues in the old style, broadened in repertoire, but everything personal, nothing routine. [6 September 2006] 
Eri Yamamoto: Cobalt BlueClearly a very talented pianist, but with a tendency to get into what's not in the current sense a groove. Samey. [28 August 2006] 
Rory Block: The Lady and Mr. JohnsonMs. Block doesn't try to be individualist, or to imitate. She interprets Robert Johnson's songs faithfully: lets them be heard better. 
Winard Harper Sextet: Make it HappenModern mainstream jazz at its broadest and deepest, African currents, After Hours, Amen! [9 August 2006] 
Elliott Caine: Blues from MarsHigh-class hard bop such as can happily be found nowadays, but Caine's an exceptional trumpeter, hot but also a ballad master. [31 July 2006] 
Pete Zimmer Quintet: Burnin Live at the Jazz StandardJoyous stuff -- five brilliant musicians with an astonishing range of jazz expression instating old virtues, including simple statements, tuneful on foundations of unobtrusive complexity. [19 July 2006] 
Biréli Lagrène and Gypsy Project: Live in Paris (DVD)Jazz guitarist Biréli Lagrène steps onto a Paris stage to perform a set as part of his 2004-2005 world tour, and -- Wow! 
Brad Goode: Hypnotic SuggestionWhatever Dizzy Gillespie meant when he referred to Brad Goode as "Little Red Rodney", the brilliance of sound certainly is one possibility. [14 July 2006] 
Skeriks Syncopated Taint Septet: HuskyIngenious arrangements, beautiful and witty playing, but the drummer's brief gets in the way: excessively prominent, rigid, metronomic, unfortunate. [12 July 2006] 
Matthias Lupri Group: MetalixStunning vibist, ambitious composer, high-grade quintet in a meditative, almost mystical, extended work. [28 June 2006] 
Daniel Smith: Be Bop BassoonEven the thorough application of this great bassoonist, with as good a threesome as could reasonably be hoped for, can not establish serious claim for bassoon as a versatile horn in jazz. "Birk's Works" is nonetheless lovely... music not to laugh at, but smile with! [27 June 2006] 
Bill Evans and Randy Brecker: Soul Bop Band Live in New YorkA welcome revival -- note the accusing use of the word "Greed" in Hiram Bullock's vocal! Not a bad start, but by the second CD the word is Excellent, soulful, bopful. [26 June 2006] 
Shot X Shot: Shot X ShotFive sustained extended performances, melodic, sensitive to timbre and phrasing, but improvised music of a demanding sort by two ace saxophonists, with bass and drums to match. [21 June 2006] 
Tab Benoit: Brother to the BluesNot musically as close as a brother to the blues, this is a committed set of old-style country music, with a couple of blues-ish items like you’d find thrown in by people without Tab Benoit’s gifts as a bluesman. [16 June 2006] 
Harvie S.: Funky ChaSerious fun, jazz and Latin in full joyful marriage, nothing superficial about it. [15 June 2006] 
Mac Arnold: Nothin to ProveVeteran Muddy Waters bassist Arnold can sing and lead a blues band, and very well too. [13 June 2006] 
Willie Big Eyes Smith: Way BackHe's not Muddy Waters, but a second line performer still performing, and people could be excused for supposing this standard of blues album impossible nowadays. But here 'tis! [12 June 2006] 
The Jaco Pastorius Big Band: The Word Is Out!The tragically shortened career of bass guitar maestro and jazz composer Pastorius included a start at something resembling big band: the Word of Mouth big band. The best parts of the second CD to revive this idea are very good, but other portions suggest he never got far enough ahead to create a basis for this sort of revival to build on. [8 June 2006] 
Taylor Eigsti: Lucky to Be MeTaylor Eigsti deserves attention; he's a passionate pianist of apparently large jazz potential. [7 June 2006] 
Dafnis Prieto: Absolute QuintetDafnis Prieto's Quintet is absolute because he composed it and the music together. Creative band! [31 May 2006] 
John Long: Lost and FoundThirty years a young white bluesman, a solid belated debut for John Long [26 May 2006] 
Charnett Moffett: InternetThe wonder-bassist delivers a more straightforward jazz programme than on For the Love of Peace: righteous in a different, equally commendable way. [23 May 2006] 
Jimmy Cobb: Marsalis Music Honors Jimmy CobbA solid band pedigree propels this recording to impressive height. [17 May 2006] 
Hillstomp: The Woman That Ended the WorldQuirky management of vocals, no bad idea for white bluesmen, accompanied by percussion and really topline guitar combining -- wow! – early John Lee Hooker and Fred McDowell. Interessante? Molto! [15 May 2006] 
Michael Coleman and the Delmark All-Stars: Blues Brunch at the MartI'm glad I didn't miss this seriously interesting CD. Don't underestimate it. [10 May 2006] 
Ari Roland: Sketches from a Bassists AlbumThe gigantic sound of Roland's bass gives this quartet set, classic bebop mostly of his compositions, an individual sound. Chris Byars certainly has one of the most beautiful sounds on tenor today. [9 May 2006] 
Cyrus Chestnut: Genuine ChestnutThe Telarc label has been collecting pianists -- Brubeck, Peterson! -- and the sometime Wynton Marsalis alumnus Cyrus Chestnut is another good one. [5 May 2006] 
Ben Goldberg: The Door, the Hat, the Chair, the FactTenderness and meditative beauty, from the legit chamber music fringe of jazz. [2 May 2006] 
Pat Martino: Remember: A Tribute to Wes MontgomeryThe late Wes Montgomery was a hugely influential guitarist, and this record highlights the Montgomery side of one of a few guitarists whose tribute means a lot. Pat Martino does justice to the real Montgomery sound. [26 April 2006] 
Dennis Chambers / Jeff Berlin / Dave Fiuczynski / T. Lavitz: Boston T PartyThe guys here get dug in, and if this is bluesy funk, they're in no blue funk. Plenty of energy; great drummer; musical conversations; force and fluency. [20 April 2006] 
Duke Robillard: Guitar Groove-a-RamaThis is the rare guitar CD that displays both virtuosity and a sense of history and style, performed with class and substance. 
Dan Treanor and African Wind: MercyInstant recommendation for a John Peel memorial library, and just the thing for fans of the BBC's Old Grey Whistle Test, who'll find music as well as nostalgia in this artful Blues/Blues-related miscellany. [17 April 2006] 
Tineke Postma: For the RhythmAnother young star jazz alto saxophonist, in no need of hype, non-routine, spirited, versatile without shallowness, aware of musical roots: another one of an always very select few! And Dutch. And not male. [14 April 2006] 
Art Lillard’s Heavenly Band: Reasons to Be ThankfulThought the material is not quite up to the hype of the liner notes, there's certainly some accomplished playing here, but oh, for some intensity! [12 April 2006] 
Christopher O’Riley: Home to Oblivion: An Elliott Smith TributeThere's more intensity than obvious variety, and a remarkable unity became manifest when I just started the CD playing and let it play through. Then the whole recital revealed itself as manifestly something massive, and the lack of superficial variety a development of consistency. [11 April 2006] Gonzalo Rubalcaba: SoloThis is art at its most mature and engaging. [8 March 2006] Neal Caine: Backstabber’s BallTwo tenors (one doubling alto clarinet) not outclassed by Jason Marsalis on drums, and a marvellous bassist. Many of the good things of jazz, only quiet, but amazing! [21 February 2006] Frank Hewitt: Four Hundred SaturdaysIn his lifetime a great unknown, Frank Hewitt's last years were given to playing piano at the now defunct venue this label was named for. Taped live, here's a complete 3 a.m. Sunday quintet set including two little-known ace saxophonists. [7 February 2006] 
Mississippi Heat: One Eye OpenBlues and Rhythm is alive and well, and anything B.B. King could do on guitar Pierre Lacocque can do on blues harmonica. A great night out you can have at home. [6 February 2006] 
Big Mama Thornton: Sassy MamaThe 1960s blues revival introduced Willie Mae Thornton to Europe and brought her back to America and a blues-singing career. This 1977 live set with exemplary Chicago accompaniment is still good news. [3 February 2006] 
Bill Rhoades and the Party Kings: Voodoo Lovin’A wholly idiomatic, gutsy blues band with roots in the 1960s blues revival, a top-line harmonica player, beautifully supported, and achieving what white kids back then hoped to. [2 February 2006] 
Otis Rush: All Your Love I Miss LovingBefore 1966, Otis Rush was a blues legend whose few recordings could hardly be found. In 2006, this tape of a live 1976 gig, finally issued, does everybody justice. [1 February 2006] 
Sonny Rollins: Essential Sonny Rollins: The RCA YearsIf you don't need to have every one of his best performances for the label, this is one of three double CD sets with equal claims to quality. High claims if you have no Rollins yet! [31 January 2006] 
Denny Zeitlin: Solo VoyageThe sense of liberty and simplicity, bluesiness on an un-bluesy instrument, I find captivating, right to the pedal note on neo-melodica. [13 December 2005] 
Various Artists: Progressions: 100 Years of Jazz GuitarTouted as a reference work, it's nearly complete as a list of names, and some samples from unknowns might inspire Amazonian voyages. But can four CDs manage everything this set claims to be?" [6 December 2005] 
Tommy Dorsey: The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing: Centennial CollectionA comprehensive selection from an American pop music superstar, sometime 1920s jazzman (better jazzman on trumpet, nonpareil instrumentalist on trombone). [2 December 2005] 
Richie Hart Trio: Greasy StreetThe Ritchie Hart Trio might be a must-see in a live setting, but here they certainly aren't playing live. [29 November 2005] 
Bucky Pizzarelli / Frank Vignola: MoonglowAn outstanding lyrical and swinging set of guitar duets by two Italian-American jazz virtuosi. Gran' Dio!, they even make a masterpiece of tender melodic playing out of 'Moonlight Cocktail'!!!" [23 November 2005] 
Paul Oscher: Down in the DeltaOscher has certainly not tripped over the standard obstacle, and has built up fair instrumental abilities. He works these days on guitar as well as harmonica, and manages some nifty enough accompaniment on one track with two hands on the piano and at least one foot stomping. [22 November 2005] 
Nachito Herrera: Bembé en Mi CasaHerrera played Rachmaninov in his native Cuba, and these days he plays virtuoso Cuban in his adopted Minnesota. Omnivorous, over-versatile, on occasion overbearing -- with plush booklet on the overdone side. [21 November 2005] 
Teddy Wilson: Marian McPartland’s Piano JazzMusical father to hundreds of jazz pianists; once truly great, very prominent figure in breaking down the public color bar; Teddy Wilson became another, lesser pianist from whom only circumstances like this brought anything special. [17 November 2005] 
Various Artists: Def JazzHappy music, synthesizer-based with several efficient soloists, a good guitar soloist on a couple of tracks, and on another two or three tracks a couple of people showing what better music is. This is hip-hop's silver jubilee?" [16 November 2005] 
Gerald Wilson: In My TimeGerald Wilson's second CD with his new New York recording big band -- starry veterans supporting stunning juniors -- demonstrates what a considerable jazzman he still is; and was for all those decades of doing other things too. [15 November 2005] 
Kip Hanrahan: PineroMuch as Kip Hanrahan wants you to know about Miguel Pinero and even roots and proper purposes of rap, you could postpone finding out till you'd heard this fine music. Needs no further reference but might inspire it. [10 November 2005] 
Richard Galliano New York Trio: Ruby, My DearA very distinguished and out-and-out jazz recording by a brilliant trio, Larry Grenadier's bass the steady centre around which Richard Galliano's stupendous instrumental command moves, lit up by Clarence Penn's drumming. [4 November 2005] 
The Knife Man: The Extraordinary Life and Times of John Hunter, Father of Modern Surgery by Wendy MoMs. Moore, whose prose is populist rather than matching any scholar's norm, wisely opens the book with demonstration of John's humanitarian concern. [3 November 2005] 
Robert Glasper: CanvasThis second issue by a very highly talented young pianist seems to have been let down at the planning stage. He deserves better. 
Arturo O’Farrill: Live in BrooklynWith an avuncular Cuban bassist, the Lincoln Center Latin band's leader gets back on piano to the mainland jazz of his youth, and with a bright young drummer in control, he's spontaneous. [1 November 2005] 
Hendrik Meurkens: Amazon RiverMeurkens is a phenomenal harmonica player, steeped in and deeply in love with Brazilian music. There is an effortless blend here, but too little effort, far too much blend. [27 October 2005] 
Moutin Reunion Quartet: Something Like NowA wonderfully resolved set of performances from the brothers Moutin. [25 October 2005] 
Sacha Perry: EretikClassic Bebop piano with an amazing density of piano texture and a passionate commitment... righteous stuff of timeless validity, and the man is real. [21 October 2005] 
Bob Rodriguez: CorridorExtended meditative piano trio performances, fresh, unhackneyed, which while not immediately exciting, soon become engrossing. [7 October 2005] 
Dizzy Gillespie: A Night in Havana: Dizzy Gillespie in Cuba [DVD]DG can also mean Deo gratias, and this, by the grace of God, is Dizzy Gillespie in terrific trumpet form when not bringing together his verbal reflections on jazz, its African cultural roots, and continuities across political boundaries and stormy, oily seas. 
Russ Freeman: Safe at HomeWith the unearthing and issue of these private recordings a 1940s bebop piano prodigy suddenly but posthumously has his first whole album to himself! The year was 1959, and this prime stuff comes together in the sort of live experience that makes happy!" [6 October 2005] 
Various Artists: Swing Around the WorldBurdened only with excruciatingly uninformed notes, this mishmash represents what the label's proprietor calls 'swing': pop that used to be called novelty, commonly with singing and swinging, jazz or cajun or South African vocal group -- you can't imagine!" [13 September 2005] 
Dexter Gordon: Manhattan Symphonie-- One of the historically defining saxophonists of all jazz, in the best of company, on his best form with plenty invention, stamina and delight. [9 September 2005] 
Bob Brookmeyer: Bob Brookmeyer and FriendsThe set is something of a period piece, incidental to the quality of the music. It ain't demanding stuff, but nice. [7 September 2005] 
Gerry Mulligan: JeruMulligan young and ballad-minded, not so much in standard saxophone and rhythm format, another Mulligan quartet but with Tommy Flanagan as front-line partner. [6 September 2005] 
The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra: Live at MCGWhile not constantly bushing the boundaries of innovation, this band succeeds on the sheer talent of its players. [30 August 2005] 
Philip Catherine, Bert Joris, Brussels Jazz Orchestra: Meeting ColoursBeautifully played, fairly conventional, but nice, Catherine moves beyond his quartet to playing with one of the currently best big bands in the business. [26 August 2005] 
Eric Lewis: Hopscotch [CD and DVD]A non-anonymous set by a pianist the expert employment agency of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra booked, trio then suddenly unaccompanied swinging in a two-handed style with Jaki Byard for precedent. You get to see him play all but one track on an accompanying DVD. [25 August 2005] 
Dexter Gordon: Jazz Moods: ‘Round MidnightInteresting samples of late Dexter Gordon, but with unrepresentative, plain wrong inclusion of a Round Midnight film soundtrack item without mention that Gordon was there representing the performance of an impaired musician. [24 August 2005] 
Billy Butterfield with Andy Bartha: Take Me to the Land of JazzThe trumpet-cornet Butterfield-Bartha lead is a direct descendant of the two-cornet lead pioneered by King Oliver with very young Louis Armstrong. [23 August 2005] 
Billy Bang: Vietnam: ReflectionsLove of beauty, use of Vietnamese musical ideas for hard bop themes that sustain high order lyrical improvisations; and performances of Vietnamese music. Impressive; deeply moving. [22 August 2005] 
Various Artists: Rockin’ the Spirit: Piano Blues, Boogie and SpiritualsDespite some inaccuracies in the marketing of this live date, the music contained within is sure to please any fan of jazz piano. [12 August 2005] 
Ahmad Jamal: After FajrAn extremely lively veteran, piano virtuoso boss of a three-man symphony orchestra, only the years have given Jamal some headway as an American institution much less regarded in Europe. [25 July 2005] 
Bill Charlap: Plays George Gershwin: The American SoulGershwin project adds four distinguished hornmen to Charlap's now long-established trio. [15 July 2005] 
Chet Baker: Jazz Moods: CoolOne masterpiece with Gerry Mulligan and one interesting yet not fully realized arrangement with Jim Hall and Paul Desmond. Otherwise, the too exclusively emphasized musical side of Baker at the too low level associated with CTI recordings. [13 July 2005] 
Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra: A Love SupremeFrom media-hyped name but highly talented W. Marsalis, a very Ellingtonian orchestral work founded on a Coltrane work famous like Coltrane for being famous: but a very considerable consolidating achievement. [30 June 2005] 
Various Artists: Jazz Moods: Sounds of SpringA happy hour of music, culled not merely from Concord's own archives but also those libraries which have appeared on Original Jazz Classics. No rubbish here! But also, no details on personnel or the albums some of these classics came from. Even Oscar Peterson doesn't get a name-check!" [22 June 2005] 
Jimmy Thackery: Healin’ GroundThe man needs no subtlety, a blues singer or guitarist who could pass visually for a country singer and does play Soulabilly and R&Babilly too. [2 June 2005] 
Kelly Joe Phelps: Tap the Red Cane WhirlwindStupendous guitarist in syncretic singer-songwriter style writes extremely strange lyrics, accompanies exquisitely. [1 June 2005] 
Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne: Let It LooseA rare thing to find a blues pianist with real roots. By no means all blues, with some R&B and soul flung in, this warming stuff includes examples worthy of the 1940s: Willie Littlefield, Amos Milburn, some Pete Johnson. Should be encouraged. [31 May 2005] 
Debashish Bhattacharya: Calcutta Slide-Guitar, Vol. 3Debashish no doubt has the fingers for a lot of things. [27 May 2005] 
Various Artists: Once More: Music of Thad JonesThad Jones was a singular trumpet master who died prematurely and too little acknowledged as a major composer-arranger. The little big band here is simply as distinguished as any on record. [26 May 2005] 
Johnny Maddox: Dixieland BluesGutsy stuff, lively and swinging, men who did it 75 years ago did it again 25 years later, jazz of 1929 with novelty ragtime interludes. [25 May 2005] 
Marian McPartland and Friends: 85 Candles—Live in New YorkThis is a splendid and well-planned pair of CDs with a lot of music well worth hearing and more than a few surprises. [24 May 2005] 
Various Artists: Billy Crystal Presents the Milt Gabler StorySubtitled 'from 'Strange Fruit' to 'Rock Around the Clock'', a 30-minute DVD of Billy Crystal reminiscing about his jazz and pop producer uncle's amazing achievement, plus a CD of copious, very various audio evidence. [23 May 2005] 
Sonny Stitt: It’s MagicOne of the great saxophonists at his most easily lyrical, with a sensitive bebop organist. The performance could be called undemanding, but also both unusually relaxed and exceptionally relaxing. [12 May 2005] 
John Ellis: One Foot in the SwampMood music -- insofar as Ellis favors a sort of mood-setting on his various wind instruments, this is mostly playful, light -- skipping, strolling nowhere in particular. [9 May 2005] 
Kurt Rosenwinkel: Deep SongThis is as good a mainstream-modern jazz band as you'll find, but for the leader's indulgence in echoey harmonizing effects, modish and short on taste. He plays with the others' creative vigor, but his added effects are a let-down. [4 May 2005] 
Paul Motian Trio: I Have the Room Above HerDreamland is the title of the last track here and the location of most performances, Motian tossing and turning on drums, while Frisell is often amazingly lyrical, Lovano likewise. A lot of purposeful free playing and some not remote from the ballad work. [3 May 2005] 
David Weiss: The MirrorA solid young hard bop trumpeter-composer with a sense of structure, an affinity for Booker Little, and a solid band matured (and still maturing together). These young guys play this music because it's good!" [2 May 2005] 
Charles Lloyd: Jumping the CreekMostly one session too many, this session doesn't take itself lightly. As music, rather than an aid to meditation, it's short on original substance and long on repetition, stretching, exquisitely played padding. Inessential. [20 April 2005] 
Various Artists: The Future of the Blues, Vol. 2A standard cut-price sampler of 14 CDs on a new Canadian label, misnamed since, with a couple of exceptions, the music is syncretic pop/rock/world, into which the blues has been all too thoroughly homogenized. [18 April 2005] 
Various Artists: Harold Arlen Centennial CelebrationSome magical playing and singing, an exemplary exhibition of co-operations between jazz and a great song-composer, recorded during the hi-fi decades of the century since his birth. [14 April 2005] 
David Sanborn: CloserA nice enough start, with a couple of numbers Dizzy Gillespie played on the earning edge of the Sanborn popjazz genre. Dullness does descend, though, but the last track's a lovely goodnight lullaby. [11 April 2005] 
The Jim Seeley / Arturo O’Farrill Quintet: The Jim Seeley / Arturo O’Farrill QuintetJim Seeley is indeed a remarkable trumpeter, with everything. A decent debut stakes his claim, maybe just a little short on urgency. [5 April 2005] 
Frank Hewitt Trio: Not Afraid to LiveFrank Hewitt died before his first album came out. He was 66, and with Louis Hayes on drums and Ari Roland on bass, his second album demonstrates a sort of piano music sought for years. Why wasn't he heard?" [4 April 2005] 
Monty Alexander: Live at the IridiumMonty Alexander at his best in superpianist with bass and percussion mode. Exhilarating!" [1 April 2005] 
Fred Hersch / Kurt Elling / Kate McGarry: Leaves of GrassOn the eve of his 50th birthday Fred Hersch doesn't so much celebrate Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass -- or Whitman or even himself -- as indulge feelings alien to performing the text. [30 March 2005] 
Various Artists: Putumayo Presents New OrleansA fair enough sampler of music of a sort that's still being played in New Orleans. [4 March 2005] 
Various Artists: This Is the Blues Harmonica: Vol. 2A considerable addition to the range of broad selections of blues harmonica recordings currently available, worth setting beside the best -- a fine sampling of 50 years of nifty Chicago blues band music. [3 March 2005] 
Frank Jackson: New York After DarkUnfortunate only in being a memorial to James Williams, an exemplary presentation to the great American songbook by a tight quartet including singer and sometimes a horn: what mainstream jazz vocal discs should aspire to. [28 February 2005] 
Miles Davis: A Tribute to Jack JohnsonNot so revolutionary as it presumed to be in 1971, the recording presents a more conservative Miles Davis paired with John McLaughlin's blues-influenced guitar, jamming on rhythms that are mainstream now. [24 February 2005] 
Detroit Jr.: Blues on the InternetA venerable blues piano stylist with a classic Chicago bluesband lineup including some younger veterans, decent songs of his own and an enduring integrity in performance. [23 February 2005] 
Kermit Ruffins: Putumayo Presents Kermit RuffinsA singer-trumpeter descended from followers of Louis Armstrong who he mostly declines to imitate: a fun performer from the happily not too fashion-conscious New Orleans of today. [22 February 2005] 
Roger Davidson Trio: Rodgers in RioMusically Conservative Jazz Piano Trio -- an unusual combination of the pedestrian and the genuinely originally creative. [21 February 2005] 
J.B. Hutto: Stompin’ at Mother BluesFrom the commencement of J.B. Hutto's wider than South Side Chicago career, the very fire that lit its touchpaper. [18 February 2005] 
Stefano di Battista: Parker’s MoodFull-fledged as a singingly individual saxophonist, di Battista learned as a boy from Charlie Parker recordings that 'the saxophone can fly'. His swoops, and especially ascents, are his own on this inspiring Parker-repertoire set. [14 February 2005] 
Monk’s Music Trio: Think of OneIdiomatically subtle with guts, able to drive and harness every element in the piano trio with wit, not least of all the pianist's left hand, into -- well -- the music that's Monk's. They ought to be heard live in concert!" [11 February 2005] 
Richie Hart: Blues in the AlleyHart, an electric guitarist of real lyrical flair, can say a lot in few notes and a lot more in many: he swings paying tribute to the ancestors, a joy!" [9 February 2005] 
Renaud Garcia-Fons: EntremundoHere comes everybody into the party, in transcontinental Indalucia, land of Raga Tango Flamenco, and the man not satisfied even with five strings to his bass. Hablemos Sanskrit y Esperanto!" [8 February 2005] 
Bill Connors: ReturnA versatile guitarist settling for plain mainstream jazz with what's currently a contemporary accent; a characterful pianist, and bass and drums to match: not at all bad. [31 January 2005] 
Roger Kellaway: I Was There: Roger Kellaway Plays from the Bobby Darin SongbookA remarkable opening, a falling off in the middle, and something of a picking up later: even the great Kellaway couldn't support a programme at this never quite up-tempo. [24 January 2005] 
Al Ashley: These Are ThemDave Liebman sits and fits in with the trio of a drummer legendary among the knowledgeable: a sometimes surprising top-drawer guitarist and an organist whose keyboard can be a tenor saxophone and his pedals a double bass. [25 April 2004] 
Fred Anderson: Back at the Velvet LoungeFred Anderson has a lovely sound on tenor saxophone, bigger than Sonny Rollins and more on the lines of the sort of thing Charlie Rouse and Anderson’s fellow-Chicagoan Gene Ammons. [11 February 2004]
The John Hart Trio: IndivisibleFrom the magnificent Hep label, a guitar trio session that can take a while to get into, individual from folksy to hard rocky, improvised music and melodic sense that needs and repays concentrated listening. [1 January 1995] |
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