Emanuele Cisi feat. Eric Reed - Clear Days, Windy Nights (2015)

A Dream Album!

Cisi is a pride for Italian jazz! Rightly famous in the world! This album is exceptional, with fabulous Interplay. The presence of Eric Reed completes a wonderful training in itself superlative! ~ Mandrioli Giancarlo, Amazon.com.

Great Record

Emanuele Cisi is a formidable saxophonist and his reputation has long gone beyond national borders. In this latest work he is joined by an extraordinary rhythm section composed of the great American pianist Eric Reed, Vincenzo Florio on double bass and Australian drummer Adam Pache. In a couple of tracks the Peruvian trombonist Humberto Amesquita is added to them. Cisi's music is energetic, permeated with swing and ennobled by one of the most beautiful saxophone voices that can be heard; it is solidly attached to the mainstream, but never falls into the trap of its clichés. Ultimately a record to take with your eyes closed. ~ Stefano Lazzaretto, Amazon.com.

Abeat Records, AB JZ149, 2015

Recorded 8^th June, 2015 At Indiehub, Milan, Italy

Musicians:

Emanuele Cisi - Tenor Saxophone

Humberto Amésquita - Trombone (#2,8)

Eric Reed - Piano

Vincenzo Florio - Bass

Adam Pache - Drums

Tracks:

1. On A Clear Day {Burton Lane} (6:54)

2. Work {Arr. Emanuele Cisi, Thelonious Monk} (7:05)

3. Song For Iolanda {Emanuele Cisi} (7:46)

4. The End Of A Love Affair {E.C. Redding} (5:30)

5. Juta's Walk {Emanuele Cisi} (7:47)

6. Last Night When We Were Young {Harold Arlen} (5:28)

7. On A Windy Night {Emanuele Cisi} (5:28)

8. The Silver House {Emanuele Cisi} (4:54)

9. On A Clear Day [Alt.Take] {Burton Lane} (6:43)

Credits:

Producer - Abeat Records

Recording, Mixing Engineer - Gabriele Simoni

Mastering Engineer - Nancy Marciano

Design - Marina Barbensi

Photography - Mario Caccia, Valeria Margherita Zanola

Liner Notes - Emanuele Cisi

Javon Jackson - Easy Does It (2003)

Tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson seems right at home on this nice set of soul-jazz tunes. He’s certainly helped by the presence of trombonist Fred Wesley, who’s still a great funk and blues stylist, as well as Dr. Lonnie Smith, a top-flight organist who’s never gotten the credit he deserves as a Hammond B3 stalwart. Guitarist Mark Whitfield and drummer Lenny White keep the groove steady and burning as well, and vocalist Eve Cornelious brings some sizzle and sultriness to “House Party.” This works both as a good party record and solid jazz set with one exception. The group’s cover of “Wake Up Everybody,” while exuberantly delivered, simply lacks the power and weight of the original. Their rendition sounds more like a rousing dance exhortation than the sweltering, commanding mandate that Teddy Pendergrass delivered in his definitive original performance that was also his swan song to Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.

Otherwise, this disc brings back fond memories of late-night house celebrations and Sunday-afternoon radio shows on vintage black radio stations. Jackson’s “Kiss,” Smith’s “If (You See Kay)” and Wesley’s title track get excellent drumming on the bottom from White, blues-tinged, scorching solos by Jackson and Wesley and striding, full organ lines by Smith. Whitfield’s splayed; frenetic solos also add a tight edge. He can be either a frenetic or a sophisticated soloist, while also smoothly contributing during the unison sections. Jackson’s writing also merits praise, particularly the final numbers “Easy Does It” and “J-Soul.” These have a relaxed, catchy groove and good blend of instrumental fire and rhythmic assertiveness.

Throughout Easy Does It Jackson plays with more verve and swing on supposedly less jazz-oriented pieces than he has in the past doing mainstream material, which indicates to me that he’s really enjoying himself. Personally, I’d much rather hear him doing good blues and funk than tentative, detached hard bop. ~ by Ron Wynn, Jazz Times.

Palmetto Records, PM 2093, 2003

Recorded 30^th September & 1^st October, 2002 at:

Maggie's Farm, Buck's County, Pennsylvania

White House Sound Lab, Leicester, England

Musicians:

Javon Jackson - Tenor Saxophone

Fred Wesley - Trombone, Vocals

Dr. Lonnie Smith - Organ

Mark Whitfield - Guitar

Eve Cornelious - Vocals

Tracks:

1. If You See Kay {Lonnie Liston Smith} (4:13)

2. Right On {Marvin Gaye} (7:35)

3. House Party {Fred Wesley} (4:17)

4. Papa Lou {Javon Jackson} (3:13)

5. Kiss {Javon Jackson} (7:25)

6. Diane {Javon Jackson} (5:47)

7. Wake Up Everybody {Gene McFadden, John Whitehead} (4:49)

8. Easy Does It {Javon Jackson} (4:34)

9. J Soul {Javon Jackson} (6:20)

Credits:

Producer, Engineer - Javon Jackson

Producer - Lenny White

Producer, Engineer, Mixing - Matt Balitsaris

Mastering - A.T. Michael MacDonald

Design - Jason Grotrian

Photography - Jimmy Katz

"Saxophonist Javon Jackson plays funk with a slow hand...[he] doesn't beat matters to a froth but allows them to come to fruition in their own time. This approach to groove calls for the clear arrangements that focus the senses nicely on Jackson's titillating tenor and Dr. Lonnie Smith's snaky organ...A good funkin' time is had by all." ~ Karl Stark, Philadelphia Inquirer.

Richard Davis - Fancy Free & Way Out West (1977) [vinyl>flac]

Review by Scott Yanow

Recorded with the same musicians and during the same two days as the Galaxy release Fancy Free, this LP covers a wide area. Bassist Richard Davis is heard in an unaccompanied solo on the brief "A Peace for Richard," on a duet with tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson for "On the Trail" (one of the session's highpoints), heading a trio with pianist Stanley Cowell and drummer Billy Cobham on "I'm Old Fashioned" and otherwise playing with a quintet that also includes Henderson, Cowell (who doubles on a dated sounding electric piano), Cobham and trumpeter Eddie Henderson; three songs have vocals by the obscure Dolly Hirota. Ranging from straightahead to some funky pop, this is an interesting if not essential release from the masterful bassist.

01 - A Peace For Richard
02 - Elephant Boy
03 - Do A Dog A Favor
04 - On The Trail
05 - I'm Old Fashioned
06 - Sienna Waiting For The Moment
07 - Warm Canto
08 - Song Of Gratitude
09 - Don't Worry Bout A Thing

Eddie Henderson (tp, flh) Joe Henderson (ts) Stanley Cowell (p, el-p) Richard Davis (b) Billy Cobham (d) Dolly Hirota (vo) Bill Lee (arr)
Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA, June 30, July 1, 1977

Another Galaxy that doesn't seem to have made it to CD

Extract from review by Chris Sheridan, Jazz Journal, November, 1978
“Professor Davis … what an impressive bassist he is… listen to the way he shadows and jostles Cowell on Nardis, giving the performance tremendous lift. It shows that he has no betters, only peers. Here he has brought together a brawny quintet, including three men who are better-established within the Fusion Music scene. Eddie Henderson came to the fore with Herbie Hancock, but shows here that he is capable of more profound things. Joe's talents have been submerged beneath mountains of wattage on recent Milestone releases, but here he plays with a lighter and more inventive touch. Cobham is, perhaps, a little fidgety, but after so much rock that is only to be expected. Hirota sounds like a cross between Diana Ross and Rose Murphy.”

Review by Scott Yanow
"It seems odd that this Galaxy LP was recorded at the same time as Way Out West for the rival Muse label. Bassist Richard Davis teams up with trumpeter Eddie Henderson, tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, keyboardist Stanley Cowell and drummer Billy Cobham for five selections that are highlighted by "Silver's Serenade," "Nardis" and a rare cover version of Donald Byrd's "Fancy Free"; singer Dolly Hirota is featured on "I Still Love You, Baby." Overall this is the stronger of the sets recorded during the two-day period in 1977, an advanced and mostly straightahead effort."

1. The Wine Of May
2. Silver's Serenade
3. Emily
4. Nardis
5. I Still Love You, Baby
6. Fancy Free

Eddie Henderson (tp, flh) Joe Henderson (ts) Stanley Cowell (p, el-p) Richard Davis (b) Billy Cobham (d) Dolly Hirota (vo -5) Bill Lee (arr)
Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA, June 30, July 1, 1977

Terence Blanchard - Flow (2005)

Two years before Flow, Terence Blanchard released Bounce, a departure from anything he had done in his already storied career. It was a seminal album, with the ideas of a musician 20 years his junior, but the skill and command of the jazz great that he had become. As a follow-up, Flow exhibits that no one better balances traditionalism, provincialism and contemporary aesthetics like Blanchard. This is almost immediately evident and highlighted on "Wadagbe," the album's third cut. Blanchard’s instantly recognizable, clarion-call horn-tone is still there, as is the native New Orleanian's homage to the Nola stomp and mardi gras Indian chants, plus a classically lyrical jazz-head and an end-song coda that singes. Guitarist Lionel Loueke, still in his early 30s at the time, wrote "Wadagbe" and Benny Golson tribute "Benny's Tune." Young drummer Kendrick Scott wrote album-standout "The Source." In fact, Blanchard handles sole writing duties of just one song on the album, "Wandering Wonder," allowing his younger sidemen's voices to shine. It is this young energy that keeps Blanchard and the album's producer, Herbie Hancock, sounding so vibrant and current. Hancock, years into receiving Social Security, turned in the piano solo of the year on "The Source" - a percussive display so cerebral, violent and dramatic that it almost defies belief. Few of Blanchard's Young Lion peers from the 1980s are still relevant in any fresh way, which makes Flow, together with its predecessor Bounce, such a revelation. Blanchard isn't stuck making 60s tribute albums or recycling the sound of his youth. Instead, he's hooking up with the hip kids, sometimes directing traffic, sometimes going with the Flow. ~ by Vincent Thomas, AMG.

Blue Note, 7243 5 78274 2 3, 2005

Recorded 11^th-14^th December, 2004 At Henson Recording Studios, Hollywood, California

Personnel:

Terence Blanchard - Trumpet, Programming, Synthesizer Programming

Brice Winston - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Yamaha WX5

Lionel Loueke - Guitar, Vocals

Aaron Parks - Piano (#2,3,5,8,9,11)

Herbie Hancock - Piano (#4,7)

Derrick Hodge - Bass

Kendrick Scott - Drums

Howard Drossin - Programming, Synthesizer Programming

Gretchen Parlato - Vocals (#8,9)

Tracks:

01. Flow, Part 1 {Terence Blanchard, Derrick Hodge} (5:29)

02. Wadagbe [Intro] {Lionel Loueke} (4:14)

03. Wadagbe {Lionel Loueke} (10:27)

04. Benny's Tune {Lionel Loueke} (7:43)

05. Wandering Wonder {Terence Blanchard} (5:46)

06. Flow, Part II {Terence Blanchard, Derrick Hodge} (3:38)

07. The Source {Kendrick Scott} (8:02)

08. Over There {Derrick Hodge} (7:32)

09. Child's Play {Brice Winston} (6:12)

10. Flow, Part III {Terence Blanchard, Derrick Hodge} (2:45)

11. Harvesting Dance {Aaron Parks} (11:43)

Credits:

Producer, Audio Production - Herbie Hancock

Executive Producer - Bruce Lundvall

Engineer - Don Murray

Assistant Engineer - Glenn Pittman

Mixing Assistant - Seth Presant

Mastering - Robert Vosgien

Concept, Photography - Nitin Vadukul

Art Direction, Design - Burton Yount

Riche Cole - Leningrad Alto Madness (1989) [vinyl>flac]

A rare piece of wax of a concert Richie Cole played whilst on tour in Russia in 1989. He is backed by a local group which do justice to his style of play. It was recorded during autumn at the International Jazz Festival held in Leningrad hence the sub-concert title "Autumn Rhythms". Richie is in fine form as he lays down some great interpretations of a number of well recognised standards. He also adapts a few tunes aimed at pleasing the Russian audience. A highlight is his beautiful soloing on "If Ever I Would Leave You". Only ever released on vinyl in Russia. Taken from an LP in reasonable condition, the resultant rip after trimming excess applause and manually removing a number of clicks is a truly entertaining concert coming from a master altoist, Enjoy!

Melody Records, 60 30069 006, 1990

Recorded 1989 At Leningrad International Jazz Festival "Autumn Rhythms"

Musicians:

Riche Cole - Alto Saxophone

Andrey Kondakov - Piano

Andrey Ryabov - Guitar

Vitaly Solomonov - Double Bass

Oleg Butman - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Leningrad Bossa Nova {Duke Ellington, Richie Cole} (8:57)

A2. If Ever I Would Leave You {Frederick Loewe, Alan Jay Lerner} (4:43)

A3. How High The Moon {Sam Lewis} (7:16)

B1. Sunday In New York {Peter Nero} (8:46)

B2. Polyushko Field {Richie Cole, Lev Knipper} (7:45)

B3. Blues For Leningrad {D. Forest, Richie Cole} (4:38)

Credits:

Engineer - Victor Dinov

Photography - D. Akulshin

Liner Notes - Vladimir Feiertag