Rob Jacoby - Step Up (2007)

This is the debut album by young tenor Rob Jacoby. Although he is noted as a multi-reed player, on this release, he focuses purely on the tenor saxophone. Invariably, this emphasis leads him to choose a selection of classic hard bop compositions by Hank Mobley, Duke Ellington, Horace Silver, Jimmy Heath, George & Ira Gershwin, Fred Lacey and Dexter Gordon, as well as two of his own tunes, all brilliantly played and successfully produced by Teo Macero. His greatest tenor teacher was Ralph Lalama, and Rob Jacoby's playing inherits his master's hard-boiled bop flavor, rich in swing and drive. The album presents performances as both a quartet and quintet featuring Brian Lynch on trumpet, pianist David Hazeltine, bassist John Ray and drummer Ron Vincent, all contributing a diversity of skills to the album. In all, this a well-rounded album that will satisfy hard bop fans and tenor aficionados. 

Garagista Music, JZ090212-09, 2007
Recorded 2007 in New York 

Musicians:
Rob Jacoby - Tenor Sax
Brian Lynch - Trumpet (#2,4,7)
David Hazeltine - Piano
John Ray - Bass
Ron Vincent - Drums

Tracks:
1. This I Dig Of You {Hank Mobley} (5:38)
2. Step Up {Rob Jacoby} (6:18)
3. In A Sentimental Mood {Duke Ellington} (5:27)
4. The Cape Verdean Blues {Horace Silver} (6:15)
5. Gingerbread Boy {Jimmy Heath} (5:42)
6. Rollertoaster {Rob Jacoby} (6:09)
7. Love Walked In {George & Ira Gershwin} (7:01)
8. Theme For Ernie {Fred Lacey} (5:35)
9. Montmartre {Dexter Gordon} (4:36) 

Total Time: 52:48

LINK

Step Up

Donald Harrison Jr - "3D" Vol. 1 (2006)

3D, Vol. 1 is a synthesis of Smooth Jazz, R&B, and Funk that you can use when you want to chill or get up and dance. You call that the perfect mix. Donald Harrison wrote and produced most of the music on this project. In fact, on "Chillin' At The Penthouse" he played every instrument. His unique synthesis will take you on a relaxing soulful journey. Bio Donald Harrison, 3D: Volume One (FOMP Records) Early in is multi-faceted career, when Donald Harrison was holding down the saxophone chair in the top-notch touring band of Lena Horne, the veteran star of stage and screen gave her young accompanist the nickname "Cool Breeze." Several years later, Harrison recorded a "smooth jazz" classic on the CTI record label called The Power of Cool that earned him high accolades and a considerable amount of play time on contemporary adult radio all around the country. Now the "cool" side of Donald Harrison is back with a high-powered synthesis of jazz intonations, R&B syncopations, and a solid funk feeling you can't possibly miss. Blowing like a strong Gulf Coast breeze, the New Orleans born-and-bred saxophonist sails his majestic sound over sunset waters swelled by contributions from a multitude of friends and musical collaborators, including salsa maestro Eddie Palmieri, trumpet sensation Chris Botti, and smooth-jazz guitarist and in-demand producer Chuck Loeb, among many others. Begun pre-Katrina, 3D: Volume One was completed in studios all around the country with the much-appreciated support of musicians, studios, friends, and family. It's journey to fruition marks a genuine triumph of the human spirit. And its music is a perfect blend of mellow sounds and percolating beats, setting the stage for a little "Soul to Soul" dancing or maybe just some "Chillin' at the Penthouse." Either way, this "cool breeze" of contemporary adult jazz is guaranteed to take you on a soulful and relaxing journey ... So, settle back, and enjoy! ~ DeepDiscount.com. 

FOMP Records, 000013, 2006 

Musicians:
Donald Harrison Jr - Saxophone
Chris Botti - Trumpet
Brian Lynch - Trumpet (#8)
Daryl Levigne - Piano (#2,4,10)
Eddie Palmieri - Piano (#8)
Chuck Loeb - Guitar (#1)
John Bagnado - Guitar (#2,4,5,10)
Marc Pero - Guitar (#2,4,10)
Bill Soley - Guitar (#6)
Eric Slaughter - Guitar (#7)
Darius Harrison - Guitar (#9,11)
Jonathan Lewis - Guitar (#12)
Chris Severin - Bass (#5)
John Benitez - Bass (#8)
Louis Cato - Bass (#12)
Andrew Marsh - Drums (#12)
Michael White - Drums (#1)
Jamal Batiste - Drums (#4,5)
El Negro - Drums (#8)
Giovanni Hidalgo - Percussion (#8)
McKinley "Bug" Williams - Percussion (7,11)
Darius Harrison - Vocals (#2)
Smoke - Vocals (#11)
Denise Hudson - Lead Vocals (#12)
Leoniere Allen - Backing Vocals (#12) 

Tracks:
01. The Magic Touch {Donald Harrison} (5:15)
02. Now Is The Time {Donald Harrison} (4:24)
03. Chillin' At The Penthouse {Donald Harrison} (4:53)
04. All My Love {Donald Harrison} (5:42)
05. Soul To Soul {Donald Harrison} (5:10)
06. A Beautiful Day {Donald Harrison} (4:47)
07. Dream Girl {Donald Harrison} (3:48)
08. Eddie Palmieri {Donald Harrison} (5:34)
09. Step In The Name Of Love {Robert Sylvester Kelly} (4:38)
10. Now Is The Time [Instrumental] {Donald Harrison} (4:23)
11. Rainy Nights {Elmer Overton} (3:15)
12. You Love Me Back {Donald Harrison} (4:54) 

Total Time: 57:22 

Credits:
Producer - Donald Harrison
Producer - Darius Harrison (#9)

Conrad Herwig - Sketches Of Spain Y Mas (2006)

Conrad Herwig's nonet explores the Latin side of jazz, and his band mines the fun (party) side as well. The Afro-Cuban/Afro-Caribbean component that makes up the art we call jazz has always been the party side. Following up on the trombonist's recordings Another Kind Of Blue: The Latin Side of Miles Davis (2005), The Latin Side Of John Coltrane (1996) and Que Viva Coltrane (2004) is this live session recorded at the Blue Note jazz club in New York 2003. The centerpiece is the nearly 25-minute title track, the infamous collaboration between Miles Davis and Gil Evans. The trombonist Herwig and his co-leader, trumpeter Brian Lynch, welcome guests Paquito D'Rivera and Dave Valentine to this furious and entertaining date. The session opens with two spirited tracks, "Solar and "Seven Steps To Heaven. These tracks are nearly perfect vehicles for a Latin touch. Herwig 's playing was inspired with this sound after stints in the bands of Eddie Palmieri, Mario Bauza and Dizzy Gillespie. Application of the clave to Miles might not be your first thought, but the overtly danceable "Solar honors not only Davis' composition, but also the nightclubs where it was originally played. The nonet stretches out a bit more on "Sketches Of Spain. D'Rivera's clarinet opens the account here, signaling the others to follow with some extraordinary playing. Then it's Herwig's turn to solo. He plays his trombone with all the control you would expect from a trumpeter, ending his solo with nifty multiphonic playing. Then, boom, we are off again with Richie Flores' percussion and congas. The piece stretches into Lynch's muted trumpet solo, which bridges into a bit of a Albert Ayler-like march! And back again with the luscious work of D'Rivera, this time on alto saxophone. The disc ends with "Petits Machins, from Filles de Kilimanjaro, a percussion-filled eruption of joy and energy. If you have to choose sides, there is no better one the the Latin side. ~ by Mark Corroto, AAJ.

Half Note, HN 4530, 2006
Recorded 6^th-8^th March, 2003 At The Blue Note, New York 

Musicians:
Conrad Herwig - Trombone
Brian Lynch - Trumpet
Mario Rivera - Baritone Saxophone
Dave Valentin - Flute
Paquito D'Rivera - Alto Saxophone, Clarinet
Edsel Gomez - Piano [Bösendorfer]
John Benítez - Bass
Richie Flores - Congas, Percussion
Robby Ameen - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Solar {Miles Davis} (13:05)
2. Seven Steps To Heaven {Miles Davis, Victor Feldman} (7:51)
3. Sketches Of Spain {Miles Davis} (24:59)
4. Petits Machins {Miles Davis} (4:26) 

Total Time: 50:21

Credits:
Producer - Jeff Levenson
Executive Producer - Steven Bensusan
Engineer, Mixing - Steven Remote [Aura Sonic Ltd.]
Engineer - Duke Marcos [8th March]
Assistant, Digital Editing - Jon D'Uva
Assistant - Andy Bigan, Mark Tomase
Mastering - Greg Calbi [Sterling Sound]
Art Direction, Package Design - Molly Gobel
Photography - Dino Perucci
Liner Notes - Bill Milkowski