02 May
Line of Sight by John O'Gallagher's Axiom
Monday, 02 May 2005
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
Saxophonist John O’ Gallagher’s growing discography clearly indicates that he is a leader, in every sense of the word. Armed with a stunning technique and a complementar…
22 Apr
Like Silver, Like Song by Jane Ira Bloom
Friday, 22 April 2005
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
Launched on the innovative Artistshare label in April 2005, Jane Ira Bloom’s Like Silver, Like Song blends the fusion of longtime elecktro-acoustic ban…
Young Swedish jazz guitarist and Berklee School of Music grad Bjorn Wennas, focuses more on compositional form tinged with a purposeful outlook during his sophomore effo…
10 Apr
Like Silver, Like Song by Jane Ira Bloom
Sunday, 10 April 2005
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
The listening experience of this first ArtistShare recording is quite wonderful. Bloom’s leads on soprano sax are jewel-like. Her playing transports me to a heavenly pla…
08 Apr
Modern Madness or Tribal Truth? by M.O.T.
Friday, 08 April 2005
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
There’s certainly room for quirk and humor in Jazz. Those who push the envelope, experiment, and color outside the standard rhythm section and horns formula have a history,…
07 Apr
A Great Inhumane Adventure by Present
Thursday, 07 April 2005
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
This outing documents the wonderful Belgian progressive-rock quintet’s first USA tour, recorded back in 1998. Featuring American, Dave Kerman on drums and led by guitari…
05 Apr
Leap Second Neutral by Machine & The Synergetic Nuts
Tuesday, 05 April 2005
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
Machine and the Synergetic Nuts were founded in late 1997 by prominent Japanese musicians: drummer Sudoh Toshiaki and keyboard player Iwata Noriya. Saxophonist Masahide ‘Ma…
Rachel Z, despite or maybe as a result of her jazz chops, has always been searching for more than improvisational variations on the tried-and-true standards, even though sh…
31 Mar
Manhattan Dialogues by Dave Liebman & Phil Markowitz
Thursday, 31 March 2005
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Progressive - CD Reviews
Since the early ‘90s, pianist Phil Markowitz has been recording and performing with sax titan David Liebman amid other stints. Yet at the end of the day, it becomes quit…
Besides the fact that Keith Jarrett recorded these solo piano pieces live in front of Japanese fans, he seemingly displays a sense of oneness with himself. Therefore, he…
Mid-Western USA reared trumpet ace Russ Johnson and the producers’ mention that this is all about American made jazz music. Alternatively, Johnson and…
Vijay Iyer's Reimagining is a fine album and one of the biggest releases yet from the revitalized Savoy Jazz label. Savoy has brought out discs from several dis…
22 Mar
Purple Violets by Rivers - Street - Osgood - Carrott
Tuesday, 22 March 2005
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
Jazz saxophone great Sam Rivers resides as the elder statesman for this trio date featuring vibist Bryan Carrott, appearing on selected tracks. It’s the first of a two-C…
22 Mar
The Ground by Tord Gustavsen Trio
Tuesday, 22 March 2005
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
Pianist Tord Gustavsen’s second release for ECM Records consists of more intricacies atop prodding rhythms, featuring drummer Jarle Vespestad’s crisp cymbal work and bas…
10 Mar
Urban Soundscapes by NewYorkestra Big Band
Thursday, 10 March 2005
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
Nothing is more appealing and invigorating than the presence and resonance of the big band sound. From the Stage Door Canteen to dance halls countrywide, big bands was t…
09 Mar
Elas Dream by Samo Salamon Sextet
Wednesday, 09 March 2005
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
Slovenian jazz guitarist Samo Salamon conveys maturity beyond his young years on this progressive jazz release. A live recording featuring well-known American saxophonis…
05 Mar
Best Reason To Buy The Sun by Benevento / Russo Duo
Saturday, 05 March 2005
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
There are two main influences easily discernible in the music of the Benevento/Russo (BR) Duo. The first comes from the opening up of time patterns and metrical relation…
04 Mar
Like Silver, Like Song by Jane Ira Bloom
Friday, 04 March 2005
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
Add soprano saxophonist extraordinaire Jane Ira Bloom to the burgeoning list of musicians who are releasing CDs via the (nouveau) "artistShare," business model. With thi…
27 Feb
At The Center by Meat Beat Manifesto
Sunday, 27 February 2005
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
This recording sort of typifies the overall direction for Thirsty Ear’Recordings Blue Series sub, label. Take asymmetrical parts electronica, dub and shades of classic ‘…
This is the debut album by a young German jazz quintet that seemingly merges the sound of the ‘60s Blue Note Records era with a thoroughly hip and inventive modern makeo…
21 Feb
Jumping the Creek by Charles Lloyd
Monday, 21 February 2005
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
A new release by saxophonist Charles Lloyd is generally recognized as a significant event within modern jazz circles. And on this quartet-based outing, Lloyd once again …
15 Feb
The Jewel in the Lotus by Allen Won Quartet
Tuesday, 15 February 2005
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
New York City-based multi-reedman/composer Allen Won is an artist who fluently segues between the classical and jazz idioms. Nonetheless, he shines brilliantly as a jazz…
14 Feb
Moving Forward, Standing Still by Jamie Baum Septet
Monday, 14 February 2005
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
Moving Forward, Standing Still is an interesting and diverse outing from flutist and composer Jamie Baum. Her writing claims inspiration from the giants of early twe…
Every now and then I really enjoy a glass of cold orange juice. It’s infrequent enough, though, that whenever I make a jug, it sits in the fridge so long that it separat…
29 Jul
Brand New by Copland - Abercrombie - Wheeler
Thursday, 29 July 2004
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
Five years after their successful album That’s For Sure, the three progressive jazz stars returned to Hilversum, Holland for a re-match. Marc Copland, John Abercromb…
19 Dec
Koncert! by Kampec Dolores + Istvan Grencso
Friday, 19 December 2003
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
I love bands like Kampec Dolores - their music refuses to fit into any of those pre-conceived pigeonholes required by the music marketing machine. One could call them a …
18 Dec
Consilience by Vinson Valega Trio
Thursday, 18 December 2003
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
According to the American Heritage dictionary, "consilience" is a noun meaning: "The agreement of two or more inductions drawn from different sets of data
14 Dec
Vogel (Bird) by Lars-Erik Norrstrom Trio
Sunday, 14 December 2003
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
Although the line-up may appear to be a typical piano trio, let there be warning that it is not. Lars-Erik Norrstrom is quite a different musician with many different in…
05 Oct
Fragment by Bruce Saunders Quartet
Saturday, 05 October 2002
Published in
Progressive - CD Reviews
At first pass, the instrumental lineup on "Fragment" (Guitar, Bass, Drums and Winds) begs a big OH NO!!! Is this a "strap yourself in fo…