Showing posts with label Candid Productions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Candid Productions. Show all posts

Monday, April 22, 2024

Donald Harrison Jr. - Kind Of New (2002)

New Takes on the classic Miles Davis session ‘Kind of Blue’ - a 21st Century shout out to a 20th Century masterpiece. Everybody is part of Kind of Blue in some way, because there probably isn't a note in jazz played since the record came out that hasn't been affected the album. It is the biggest selling jazz record of all time and is probably, 40 years after its initial release, holds a number one slot in every jazz loving country. Here, Donald Harrison who never shirks from a challenge looks Kind Of Blue straight in the eye. He takes some brilliant in the pocket players covering several generations, examines the original five tunes and throws in three new ones heavily in the style of Miles ('Kind Of New,' 'It Is' and 'What Next?'). This is 'Kind of Blue' done 'Kind of New.' It takes guts, but here it is, a 21st century shout out to a 20th Century masterpiece. Carl Allen and Javon Jackson are Donald's contemporaries - Javon like Donald, was a Jazz Messenger. Eric Reed and Vicente Archer, a bit younger, are from the first generation to be influenced by Donald and his peers. Kenny Barron of course, is a giant, more or less a contemporary of Miles. And last but no means least, Christian Scott (nephew of Donald) who is the trumpet man on this disc and was at the time of recording, only 17 years old. ~ amazon.co.uk. 

Candid Productions, CCD 79768, 2002
Recorded 21st-22nd November, 2001 at Clinton Recording Studios, New York 

Musicians:
Donald Harrison Jr. - Alto Saxophone
Christian Scott - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Javon Jackson - Tenor Saxophone
Kenny Barron - Piano (#3,5)
Eric Reed - Piano (#1,2,4,6-8)
Vicente Archer - Bass
Carl Allen - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Kind Of New {Donald Harrison Jr.} (7:17)
2. Blue In Green {Bill Evans, Miles Davis} (5:17)
3. So What {Miles Davis} (8:39)
4. All Blues {Miles Davis} (3:33)
5. Freddie Freeloader {Miles Davis} (5:57)
6. It Is {Donald Harrison Jr.} (5:26)
7. Flamenco Sketches {Miles Davis} (5:22)
8. What Next? {Donald Harrison Jr.} (6:34) 

Total Time: 48:10 

Kind Of New

Sunday, August 8, 2021

Sumi Tonooka - Here Comes Kai (1992)

Named for her toddler son, this 1991 trio album from Sumi Tonooka is a pleasure to listen to from start to finish. Accompanied by Rufus Reid on bass and Lewis Nash on drums, it's an an album of good, uncomplicated but inventive post-bop jazz; the trio format naturally provides an intimate listening experience and it's a fairly relaxed (and relaxing) album with some new takes on some jazz standards (Giant Steps, Warm Valley, UMMG) and five originals including the title track. A fine example of Tonooka's musicianship from a discography that is lamentably small for a pianist of her calibre. ~ J. McDonald, Amazon. com.

Candid Productions, CCD 79516, 1992
Recorded 28th March 1991 at Clinton Studios, New York City 

Musicians:
Sumi Tonooka - Piano
Rufus Reid - Bass
Lewis Nash - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Giant Steps {John Coltrane} (6:08)
2. It Must Be Real {Sumi Tonooka} (7:23)
3. At Home {Sumi Tonooka} (8:41)
4. In The Void {Sumi Tonooka} (8:04)
5. Warm Valley {Duke Ellington} (6:49)
6. Upper Manhattan Medical Group {Billy Strayhorn} (7:22)
7. The Mystery {Sumi Tonooka} (7:45)
8. Here Comes Kai {Sumi Tonooka} (4:52) 

Total Time: 57:04

Credits:
Producer - Yoshio Maki
Executive-Producer - Alan Bates
Engineer - Gene Curts
Design - Harry Bates
Liner Notes - Brian Priestley