Yoshiko Kishino - Bossa Nostalgia (2006)

Last year marked the 10th anniversary of pianist Yoshiko Kishino's album debut, and this is her latest album in 2006. This time, it's bossa nova, which is also popular in live performances. It's a very elegant full-length bossa album, featuring António Carlos Jobim numbers and Yoshiko Kishino's originals. This product is eligible for the Bossa Nova Campaign. ~ cdjapan.co.jp. 

A collection of bossa nova jazz piano with strings. "Água De Beber" and other bossa nova masterpieces, as well as Kishino's original songs, are woven together with her characteristic elegant and clear touch. Not only is it lyrical, but it is also powerful at times, allowing you to fully enjoy the essence of jazz. ~ doorzo.com. [Translated From Japanese] 

GRP Records/Universal Music, UCCJ-2048, 2006
Recorded 8th-9th &12th March, 2006 at Crescente Studio, Tokyo, Japan 

Musicians:
Yoshiko Kishino - Piano
Masayoshi Furukawa - Guitar
Keisuke Torigoe - Bass
Manabu Fujii - Drums
Yoichi Okabe, Saori Sendo - Percussion
+ Shinozaki Strings
Masatsugu Shinozaki - Violin
Yuriko Mori - Violin
Masako Mabuchi - Viola
Akina Karasawa - Cello

Tracks:
01. Natsu-Eno-Tobira [Door To Summer] {Yoshiko Kishino} (4:30)
02. Bossa Libra {Yoshiko Kishino} (4:47)
03. Double Rainbow {António Carlos Jobim} (4:04)
04. Ajisai [Hydrangea] {Yoshiko Kishino} (4:35)
05. Ukiuki [Thrilled] {Yoshiko Kishino} (4:19)
06. Nostalgia {Yoshiko Kishino} (6:11)
07. Bossa De Funk {Yoshiko Kishino} (2:34)
08. Passarin [Bird] {António Carlos Jobim} (3:38)
09. Osanpo [Take A Walk] {Yoshiko Kishino} (2:29)
10. Água De Beber [Delicious Water] {Vinicius De Moraes, António Carlos Jobim} (3:53)
11. One Note Samba {António Carlos Jobim, Jon Hendricks, Newton Mendonça} (2:38)
12. Sue Ann {António Carlos Jobim} (3:23) 

Total Time: 47:09

Link

Nostalgia

Dave Valentin - Red Sun (1993)

This was flutist Dave Valetin's 15th release for GRP and, as with his previous ones, it features impeccable musicianship, subtle funk grooves, some heated Latin rhythms and rather lightweight melodies. Despite some passionate moments, the music always sounds a bit controlled, never exceeding prescribed time limits or emotional boundaries. There are some strong moments of interest on this relatively pleasing CD, particularly a restrained melodic statement by trumpeter Arturo Sandoval on "We'll Be Together Again" and a groovin' version of "With a Little Help from My Friends." ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

GRP Records, GRD-9699, 1993
Recorded at Sound On Sound Studios, New York City 

Musicians:
Dave Valentin - Flute (#1-4,6,9) Flutes (#5,7,8), Arranger (#8,9)
Arturo Sandoval - Flugelhorn (#4)
Steve Turre - Trombone, Shells (#8)
Bill O'Connell - Piano, Synthesizer (#1,2,5,6,8,9), Arranger (#1-5,7,8,9)
Bernd Schoenhart - Guitar (#1)
Lincoln Goines - Bass (#1,2,6-9), Acoustic Bass (#4), Arranger (#6)
Dave Samuels - Vibraphone (#3)
Richie Morales - Drums (#2,3,4,6,7), Cymbals
Robert Ameen - Drums (#1,5,8), Percussion [Cymbals, Stick]
Milton Cardona - Percussion, Congas (#1), Cowbell (#1), Shekere/Cajon (#5)
Sammy Figueroa - Percussion (#2,3,5,7,8), Congas (#7)
Jon Lucien - Vocals (#2)
Steve Shapiro - Synthesizer Programming

Tracks:
1. With A Little Help From My Friends {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (5:20)
2. Red Sun {Bill O'Connell} (5:11)
3. Two Steps Ahead {Bill O'Connell} (3:46)
4. We'll Be Together Again {Carl Fischer, Frankie Laine} (5:17)
5. Beyond The Ridge {Bill O'Connell} (4:33)
6. Lia's Song {Lincoln Goines} (4:29)
7. Loco Motion {Bill O'Connell} (5:04)
8. Little Sunflower {Freddie Hubbard} (6:23)
9. Pensativa {Clare Fischer} (4:15) 

Total Time: 44:28 

Credits:
Producer - Dave Valentin
Producer, Recording, Mixing - Josiah Gluck
Executive-Producer - Dave Grusin, Larry Rosen
Mastering Engineer - Ted Jensen
Assistant Engineer - Devin Emke, Fred Kevorkian, John Siket, Peter Beckerman
Photography - Carol Weinberg
Art Direction - Scott Johnson
Graphic Design - Dan Serrano, Jackie Salway, Alba Acevedo 

Two Steps Ahead

Dave Valentin - Jungle Garden (1985)

Released in 1985 this was Dave Valentin's 7th album for Dave Grusin and Dave Valentin under their production company as he was the first artist signed by them for their label in 1978 with a successful debut. This album is a very strong and fun follow up to 1984's Kalahari which Valentin was just getting his feet wet with his new bandmates that included Bill O'Connell. The album is pure Latin fusion and funk mixing in the occasional interpretation of a hit song at the time which in this case was Stevie Wonder's "Love Light In Flight" from his hit soundtrack "The Woman In Red". Unlike Kalahari which was a little more laid back and somewhat restrained rhythmically, Valentin and his band lets loose on great Latin vibes on this album with "Tabasco", "Oasis", "Very Nice Indeed" and his own Latin rendition of "I Loves You Porgy" with Valentin playing off O'Connell in a duet setting which is very catchy and tranquil. The album is one of Valentin's best from this period of his career and well worth seeking out especially for its beautiful artwork as GRP Records would provide for their albums in the beginning of the label. ~ Danny Gonzalez, AMG. 

GRP Records, GRP-D-9523, 1985
Recorded at Secret Sound Studios, New York City 

Musicians:
Dave Valentin - Flute, Percussion, Synthesizer
Bill O'Connell - Piano, Electric Piano, Synthesizer
Lincoln Goines - Bass
Frank Malabé - Congas, Percussion
Robert Ameen - Drums
Tania Maria - Piano, Vocals (#6)

Tracks:
1. Awakening {Dave Valentin} (2:05)
2. Oasis {Bill O'Connell} (6:21)
3. Bones [A Lion Who Lived And Died In The Kalahari] {Dave Valentin} (4:57)
4. Love Light In Flight {Stevie Wonder} (5:00)
5. Jungle Garden {Dave Valentin} (4:41)
6. Very Nice Indeed {Tania Maria} (3:51)
7. I Loves You Porgy {George Gershwin} (5:42)
8. Eighty-One {Ron Carter} (4:55)
9. Tabasco {Bill O'Connell} (5:19) 

Total Time: 42:55 

Credits:
Producer, Mixing - Dave Valentin
Executive-Producer - Dave Grusin, Larry Rosen
Recording, Mixing Engineer - Josiah Gluck
Recording Engineer - Warren Bruleigh
Mastering Engineer - Ted Jensen
Photography [Black & White] - Fran Vogel
Photography [Front & Back], Artwork - Andy Baltimore
Design - Dan Serrano

Love Light In Flight

Eric Marienthal - Voices Of The Heart (1988)

Altoist Eric Marienthal's debut as a leader has four notable guest appearances by his employer, keyboardist Chick Corea, and one spot for guitarist Frank Gambale. Otherwise, he is generally joined by a quintet also including keyboardist Jim Cox, the great bassist John Patitucci, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, and guitarist Pat Kelley. The ten obscure songs (only two by the leader) are worthwhile, if not overly memorable, but Marienthal's soulful solos are always fun to hear. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG. 

GRP Records, GRP-9563, 1988
Recorded December, 1987 at Mad Hatter Studios, Los Angeles, California 

Personnel:
Eric Marienthal - Alto Saxophone, Yamaha Wx7 (#5), Arranger (#1,2,5,7,9,11,12)
Chick Corea - Acoustic Piano (#3-6), Synthesizers (#3,6,12), Arranger (#1-4,6,9)
Jim Cox - Synthesizers, Acoustic Piano (#10)
Pat Kelley - Guitar (#1,2,5,6,8-12), Arranger (#8,10)
Frank Gambale - Guitar (#7)
John Patitucci - Bass, Arranger (#11)
Vinnie Colaiuta - Drums
Luis Conte - Percussion (#2,3)
Joe Curiale - Arranger (#5,7,11,12) 

Tracks:
01. Voices Of The Heart {Judd Miller; Arr. Eric Marienthal} (3:59)
02. Your Eyes {Joe Curiale, Bobby Caldwell; Arr. Eric Marienthal, Chick Corea} (4:19)
03. Blue Space {Chick Corea; Arr. Chick Corea} (4:12)
04. Brazilian Dream {John Patitucci; Arr. Chick Corea} (2:49)
05. Premonition {Eric Marienthal, Joe Curiale} (5:04)
06. Tippin' {Tim Landers, Eric Marientha; Arr. Chick Corea} (4:48)
07. Being With You {Eric Marienthal, Joe Curiale} (3:55)
08. Harvest Dance {Pat Kelley; Arr. Pat Kelley} (4:46)
09. Written In The Wind {Joe Curiale; Arr. Eric Marienthal, Chick Corea} (4:17)
10. Walk Like An Emu {Pat Kelley; Arr. Pat Kelley} (4:28)
11. Someone Said {Eric Marienthal, Joe Curiale, John Patitucci} (4:31)
12. Backstep {Eric Marienthal, Joe Curiale} (4:49) 

Total Time: 52:04 

Credits:
Producer, Mixing - Chick Corea
Assistant Producer, Mixing - Eric Marienthal
Executive Album Producer - Ron Moss
Executive Producer - Dave Grusin, Larry Rosen
Engineer, Mixing - Bernie Kirsh
Assistant Engineer - Ira Rubnitz
Mastering - Bernie Grundman
Photography [Covers] - Glen Wexler
Photography [B&W] = Jeffrey Mayer
Album Design - Andy Baltimore, Dan Serrano, David Gibb,
Ivan Salgado, Dave Kunze 

Perfect Debut from an amazing musician soldier from Chick Corea! As a drummer I can't be gladder that Vinnie Colaiuta drumming here and the superb bass player John Patitucci! If you into stuff like David Sanborn, this record if perfect for you, very catchy 80's sax melodies but cheesy without song structure. Some of the tracks sounds like an 80's theme from a sitcom, in the good way with fabulous touch of top-notch musicians. For the prog fans, I recommend to listen to track "Blue Space", and "Harvest Dance" is the best catchy tune on the album, for die hard 80's fusion lovers. ~ Doron Harati, Amazon.com. 

Blue Space

Tom Browne - Browne Sugar (1979)

Despite the trumpet's prominent historic role in Jazz music, the instrument didn't showcase many of its practitioners in the contemporary jazz genre after the mid-Seventies. Queens, New York native Tom Browne, however, changed that notion. Browne's blistering solos and flair for melodicism and lyricism were on full display on Browne Sugar, his 1979 debut. From the album's opener, "Throw Down," composed by Browne, a bold, up tempo number that highlighted the trumpeter's facility to play smooth, fluid lines, to the closer "Antoinette Like," a contemplative ballad, penned by keyboard wunderkind Bernard Wright, Browne demonstrated that he is a focused, original artist, destined to be on the scene for the long run. The long run began its race for Browne on this record with the aid of Wright; the incomparable pianist/composer/producer Dave Grusin (who co-produced); first-rate-bassists Francisco Centeno and the illustrious Marcus Miller (the latter of whom wrote the alternately mellow and funky "Herbal Scent"); acclaimed saxophonist Michael Brecker, versatile vocalist Patti Austin, and underrated drummer Buddy Williams, just to name a few stellar names on the eight-tunes project. Because of its mix of ballads and mid-tempo funk, "Browne Sugar" was definitely a record that established the trumpet ace's (also a flugelhornist) own musical identity. It placed Browne front and center as a leader and not as a bystander on his own record. Speaking of his own musical identity, Browne's composition, "Promises for Spring," is another tune that possessed that gentle, late-night aura that would be heard on Quiet Storm radio. It's just the kind of record that would become the template for contemporary jazz--radio-friendly, breezy tunes laced with R&B overtones with jazz inflections. The album had great flow without any selections that would prompt listeners to skip to the next track. Even in the present musical soundscape, there are few trumpet-led projects that embrace the distinctive sound of Browne's. It's a classy, stylish debut that sounds just as rich and melodic in 2020 as it did in 1979. Cheers to Tom Browne and to the musicians who have made Browne Sugar a sonic gem! ~ Liz Goodwin, SmoothVibes.com. 

GRP Records, GRP 5003, 1979
GRP Records, GRP-D-9517, 1991
Recorded and Mixed 1979 At A&R Studios, New York City 

Musicians:
Tom Browne - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Michael Brecker - Tenor Saxophone
Phil Bodner - Horn
Eddie Daniels - Horn
Walter Kane - Horn
David Tofani - Horn
Dave Grusin - Piano [Electric], Clavinet, Moog Synthesizer, Oberheim Synthesizers, Organ, Percussion, Synthesizer
Rob Mounsey - Oberheim Synthesizer, Organ, Synthesizer
Bernard Wright - Piano, Piano [Electric]
Ron Miller   - Guitar [Electric]
Marcus Miller - Bass [Electric]
Francisco Centeno - Bass [Electric]
Buddy Williams - Drums
Sue Evans - Congas, Percussion
Errol Crusher Bennett - Congas, Percussion
Patti Austin - Vocals
Vivian Cherry - Vocals
Frank Floyd - Vocals
Zachary Sanders - Vocals
+ Strings Ensemble 

Tracks:
1. Throw Down {Tom Browne} (3:58)
2. I Never Was A Cowboy {Don Grusin} (4:24)
3. Herbal Scent {Tom Browne} (5:25)
4. Brother, Brother {Denzil Miller} (5:32)
5. The Closer I Get To You {Reggie Lucas, James Mtume} (4:38)
6. What's Going On {Renaldo Benson, Al Cleveland, Marvin Gaye} (5:09)
7. Promises For Spring {Tom Browne} (4:50)
8. Antoinette Like {Bernard Wright} (3:38) 

Total Time: 37:34 

Credits:
Producer, Conductor, Arranger, Liner Notes - Dave Grusin
Producer, Engineer, Liner Notes - Larry Rosen
GRP Production Coordinator - Peter Lopez
Recording Engineer - Jim Boyer
Recording Assistant - Peter Lewis
Recording & Mixing Assistant - Bradshaw Leigh
Mastering Engineer - Ted Jensen [Sterling Sound, NYC]
Digital Remastering - Josiah Gluck [The Review Room, NYC]
Editing & Formatting - N.Y. Digital Recording
GRP Creative Director, Art Design - Andy Baltimore
Art Direction - Dan Serrano
Photography - Mario Astorga