12 Jun
The Stamm/Soph Project by Marvin Stamm & Ed Soph
Monday, 12 June 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
It is a pleasure listening to the work of Marvin Stamm, anytime! Stamm is a musician's musician, performing flawlessly on his trumpet and flugelhorn. He has been around for…
Paul Hanson and his bassoon create a remarkable jazz impression in the new CD release, VOODOO SUITE. Various guest artists add special luster and sparkle to these unusual j…
One of the most flexible musicians on the jazz scene is clarinetist/composer Don Byron. Byron has, as a leader and accompanist, performed and recorded in bebop, klezmer, av…
07 Jun
Naxos Jazz by David Phillips & Freedance
Wednesday, 07 June 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Naxos Jazz is a promising CD that maintains a no holds bar on creativity throughout the entire collection of melodies. The cut "New Esthetic" is a mellow yet up beat smooth…
01 Jun
Daydream by Ack Van Rooyen w/Netherlands Metropole Orchestra
Thursday, 01 June 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Perhaps the best description I could give to this project is the word "grand." As with most orchestral productions in whatever genre, it is only suitable. Ack Van Rooyen, f…
29 May
Thats Funky by Benny Golson Funky Quintet
Monday, 29 May 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Benny Golson and his tenor saxophone need no introduction to jazz listeners, for his amazing sounds have long thrilled listeners! He is a master of style and substance with…
28 May
Fire In The Engine Room by Andy Narell
Sunday, 28 May 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
World class steel pannist Andy Narell teams up with three different musical combos to create a remarkable CD in his tenth recording as a group leader with "Fire In The Engi…
23 May
Two Against Nature by Steely Dan
Tuesday, 23 May 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Although not truly defined as a jazz group, Steely Dan’s music has always been just on the fringes of what we might call, for lack of a better term, "light jazz". Two certi…
First off, let me tell you that Baatin is a multi-talented one man show. Not only does he sing and play various keyboards, but he also plays flute/ soprano, and guitar in a…
16 May
Fingerprints by Larry Carlton
Tuesday, 16 May 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Larry Carlton is one of the very finest jazz guitarists alive, and performing. Each release is something new and imaginative for jazz fans throughout the world! Oftentimes,…
13 May
zero by Carolyn Hume & Paul May
Saturday, 13 May 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
ZERO is an interesting jazz CD collection of original work by Carolyn Hume and Paul May. Experimental and insightful, it fits into the realm of contemporary jazz with its 9…
09 May
Love Letters by Oleg Kireyev
Tuesday, 09 May 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
LOVE LETTERS is an incredibly smooth collection of contemporary jazz songs, each one very unique, and very enjoyable! 8 selections composed by saxophonist Oleg Kireyev, who…
This CD is my first exposure to Ferdinando Argenti's work. Argenti is an excellent pianist: bright, clear--- the tips of his fingers move beautifully on the keys. His rhyth…
07 May
Solo Jazz Guitar by Art Johnson
Sunday, 07 May 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Listening to this 10 selection CD of contemporary jazz solo guitar performances was enjoyable, and this is the first time I have heard Art Johnson play the guitar. On his S…
02 May
Kinda Up by Oliver Lake Steel Quartet
Tuesday, 02 May 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Saxophonist/composer Oliver Lake - along with Marty Erhlich, the best-known player out of the 70s B.A.G. scene - is perhaps best known as one-fourth of the World Saxophone …
30 Apr
Charms of the Night Sky by Dave Douglas
Sunday, 30 April 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Despite sweeping the Jazz Journalist Awards this past year and being selected as Jazz Times "Artist of the Year", Douglas may still be best known as John Zorn's terse trump…
29 Apr
Hypnotic Safari by Wayne Johnson & Ruben Romero
Saturday, 29 April 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
I have listened to HYPNOTIC SAFARI eight times and each time I discover something refreshingly new & creative in this unusual CD from Wayne Wesley Johnson and Ruben Romero.…
28 Apr
The Carl Michel Group (+) by Carl Michel Group
Friday, 28 April 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Listening to the new CD release, THE CARL MICHEL GROUP (+), is a jazz listener's delight! This collection of original songs by Carl Michel highlights excellent solo work an…
27 Apr
The Way It Feels by Louise Elliot and The Jazz Hearts
Thursday, 27 April 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
THE WAY IT FEELS features the performances of tenor saxophone/flute/composer Louise Elliott and The Jazz Hearts, and if somebody came up to me on a street corner and whispe…
27 Apr
So Many Ways by Dennis Raffelock
Thursday, 27 April 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
With Dennis Raffelock on bass & vocal, accompanied by the fine piano stylings of Wayne Sabella and Tootsie Bean on drums, the jazz listener is in for a solid musical treat …
Carla Bley is surely one of the most imaginative big-band jazz composers currently sharing our atmosphere - her stuff is lively, humorous, quirky, swinging, out-there & fir…
25 Apr
A Different Vibe by Kathy Kelly
Tuesday, 25 April 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
What I find most attractive about A DIFFERENT VIBE is the musicians sense of sharing with the listening audience, and succeeding well at it. This is a spunky, lively, feel-…
23 Apr
Over The Airwaves by Mark Elf
Sunday, 23 April 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Mark Elf’s contribution to the Jazz world is significant in many ways. Each recording finds Mark in a different musical situation, and this outing is no different. Ralph Pe…
Young Justin Morell certainly descends from a musical family background. His father is John Morell, a guitarist who worked with Shelley Manne, Miles Davis, Gil Evans and Le…
Will Matthews and his SOLO guitar CD release is excellent. This is one of the finest examples of contemporary jazz solo guitar work to appear this year, and it will delight…
17 Apr
Twins by George Colligan & Jesper Bodilsen
Monday, 17 April 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
If you enjoy the jazz of a duo featuring piano and bass, take a listen to Colligan & Bodilsen on their new release, TWINS, recorded during February 2000 at Steeple Chase St…
08 Apr
Supergenerous by Supergenerous
Saturday, 08 April 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Supergenerous is a duo: Kevin Breit, guitarist and player-of-stringed-things and Cyro Baptista, percussionist. What looks like it might be some facile world-beat fusion flu…
07 Apr
This Is What I Do by Sonny Rollins
Friday, 07 April 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Each year I look forward with more than usual anticipation to two releases - Robert Parker's latest "Spenser" private eye novel and Sonny Rollins newest CD . Both represent…
Baatin is a multi-instrumentalist and composer, and one of the most gifted jazz performers active in contemporary jazz. Baatin plays a flawless piano, among other instrumen…
05 Apr
They Live by Wise Monkey Orchestra
Wednesday, 05 April 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
For a real jumpstart to your day or evening, give a listen to the lively contemporary jazz blend found on THEY LIVE recorded by Wise Monkey Orchestra featuring the vocals o…
05 Apr
Live by Pat Metheny Trio
Wednesday, 05 April 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Since 1998, the contrast between Pat Metheny's releases has been dramatic, and has re-introduced Metheny's seemingly endless palette of sounds and settings to both his exis…
03 Apr
My Two Cents by Gary Gibson featuring Richard Warner
Monday, 03 April 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Gary Gibson is a multi-talented performer who has put together an exciting collection in his new CD release titled MY TWO CENTS. He is backed with talented musicians Richar…
02 Apr
Polaroid Memory by Sebastian Weiss Trio
Sunday, 02 April 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Well, if you've been searching for the real thing in jazz, bend your ear! This has the musicianship of days gone by and a hope for the future. Great artistry will not be fo…
30 Mar
True Stories by Andrew Rathbun
Thursday, 30 March 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
TRUE STORIES is unusual in its solo work and performances. This is the latest solo project by Andrew Rathbun. He composes the music, set to the lyrics of novelist Margaret …
27 Mar
Last Call by Frank Portolese
Monday, 27 March 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Frank Portolese and his guitar have a sure winner in his new release, "Last Call." This is a showcase CD for Frank Portolese, and if you are new to his guitar sound, this i…
26 Mar
The Miyumi Project by Tatsu Aoki and Mwata Bowden
Sunday, 26 March 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
The Miyumi Project, featuring Tatsu Aoki on bass and Japanese drum, along with Mwata Bowden on woodwinds, and other excellent musicians, is something that should appeal to …
24 Mar
Jazz at the Pinehill by Amina Figurova Quintet
Friday, 24 March 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
When newcomer George II asked outgoing Leader of the Free World Bill Clinton for public speaking counseling, Slick Willie allegedly replied: "Master the pause." As a jazz m…
23 Mar
Got Groove? by Vas Deferens
Thursday, 23 March 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
For some lively contemporary jazz, try the new group called Vas Deferens, it may just be your bag! Their new CD release, GOT GROOVE?, is a collection of 5 long pieces, each…
20 Mar
Kite Flight by Jacques Chanier Trio
Monday, 20 March 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
KITE FLIGHT is highly original, imaginative, and one of the finest CDs jazz pianist Jacques Chanier has created! Without doubt, Jacques Chanier is one of the finest living …
18 Mar
The Waiting Game by Mike Nock & Marty Ehrlich
Saturday, 18 March 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
The extremely versatile New Zealand-born pianist Mick Nock has kept a somewhat low profile over the past 10 years or so. For those not hep to the jive, this Nock guy played…
17 Mar
Urban Groove by Marcus Johnson
Friday, 17 March 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Pavilion" is like a big welcome to Johnson’s musical world as he takes you by the "ear." A whole room of talented comrades jam along as if to smile warmly to the arriving g…
10 Mar
The Music of Donald Brown by The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra
Friday, 10 March 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Having sat as a sax player in the "front-line" of many jazz orchestras I appreciate the difficulties of realizing the intricacies of a modern jazz chart. Whether its classi…
08 Mar
Argenti by Ferdinando Argenti
Wednesday, 08 March 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Prepare to discover a refreshingly original new piano talent whose name is Ferdinando Argenti, performing with his group Argenti, on the new release, ARGENTI. 14 selections…
03 Mar
Mike Pohjola Live at the Blue Note by Mike Pohjola
Friday, 03 March 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
If you are a jazz piano listener who likes the intricate sounds of such artists as the late pianists, Art Tatum and Bill Evans, then this CD featuring Mika Pohjola will sur…
02 Mar
It's Morning by Mike Spinrad
Thursday, 02 March 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Mike Spinrad's IT'S MORNING is a pleasurable, remarkable new CD release. It has a sense of melodic peacefulness about it that carries over into its lively feel of contempor…
28 Feb
On The One by Sammy Peralta
Monday, 28 February 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Sammy Peralta's versatile gifts as composer and musician are well-realized on his latest release, ON THE ONE. His work on the keyboards remains outstanding, and this CD sho…
27 Feb
Love Life by Warren Hill
Sunday, 27 February 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
LOVE LIFE, features the contemporary jazz sounds of gifted saxophonist, Warren Hill. There are 11 selections, including "Love Life," "Mambo," "Sax In The City," "Olivia," a…
26 Feb
Jazz For A Sensual Night by Ken Hoffman
Saturday, 26 February 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Ken Hoffman plays a sweet tenor saxophone that is sure to capture jazz listeners' attention with his versatile style! JAZZ FOR A SENSUAL NIGHT is a fine contemporary jazz C…
25 Feb
For Bird And Bags by Eddie Harris
Friday, 25 February 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Eddie Harris is already a legend, and this new CD adds to his accomplishments! FOR BIRD AND BAGS offers the jazz listener 7 great selections as only Eddie Harris can delive…
23 Feb
Variations On a Summer Day by Frank Carlberg featuring Christing Correa
Wednesday, 23 February 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
The first thing you'll notice is the colorful cover art. Variations on a Summer Day grabs your attention before you have the shrink wrap removed. Pianist and composer, Fran…