Saori Yano - Best (2007) [CD + DVD]

Here we have a wonderful compilation drawn from Saori's albums pre-dating 2007. The CD is made up of thirteen choice tracks, and included is I &I, not released on her studio albums, but from an advertising promotion that brought her further fame. Incorporated in the fantastic package is a DVD that showcases video frontage of that commercial, as well as four other promotional videos. These clips give the Saori fan an insight as to the formidable company she was associated with throughout those classic early years. Looking back, she hung out with an assemblage of great jazz musicians during her recording tenure in New York City. The reader can easily see from personnel listed that she gave and was given great respect when performing. In this regard, it is important to note that she is not just a player, but also a fine composer and to this extent within this selection are five of her own tunes. Listeners can only marvel this brilliant jazz musician on the job at such an early age, enjoy! 

Savoy Records, COZY 263 + COZY 264, 2007 

Yano Saori (2003)
#5,10
02 (2004)
#2,4,11,13
Sakura Stamp (2005)
#1,3,12
Groovin' High (2006)
#6,8,9
DVD "ASIENCE" TV-CF
#7 

Musicians:
Saori Yano - Alto Saxophone
Nicholas Payton - Trumpet (#1,3,12)
Randy Brecker - Trumpet (#6,8,9)
Slide Hampton - Trombone (#6,8,9)
Eric Alexander - Tenor Saxophone (#1,3,4,12)
Jimmy Heath - Tenor Saxophone (#6,8,9)
James Moody - Tenor Saxophone, Flute (#6,8,9)
Gary Smulyan - Baritone Saxophone (#6,8,9)
Masaaki Imaizumi - Piano (#5,6,8,9,10)
Harold Mabern - Piano (#2,4,11,13)
Mike LeDonne - Organ (#1,3,12)
Peter Bernstein - Guitar (#1-3,11-13)
Shin Kamimura - Bass (#5,10)
Nat Reeves - Bass (#2,4,11,13)
Ray Drummond - Bass (#6,8,9)
Masahiko Osaka - Drums (#5,10)
Joe Farnsworth - Drums (#1-4,11-13)
Adam Nussbaum - Drums (#6,8,9)

Tracks:
01. Donna Lee {Charlie Parker} (1:55)
02. Sand And Skirt {Saori Yano} (6:56)
03. Crazy He Calls Me {Bob Russell, Carl Sigmon} (7:56)
04. RIZLLA {Saori Yano} (5:32)
05. In A Sentimental Mood {Duke Ellington} (6:51)
06. Manteca {Dizzy Gillespie} (6:55)
07. I & I {Saori Yano} (3:58)
08. Greenism {Saori Yano} (4:44)
09. My Ideal {Newell Chase, Richard A. Whiting} (6:10)
10. How To Make A Pearl {Saori Yano} (4:14)
11. Lover Man {Roger Ram Ramirez, Jimmy Davis} (6:13)
12. Tico Tico {Zequinha Abreu} (5:31)
13. Open Mind {Takashi Matsunaga} (4:37) 

Total Time: 71:38 

DVD:
1. I & I {Saori Yano} (Movie)
2. Greenism {Saori Yano} (PV)
3. I Got Rhythm {George Gershwin} (PV)
4. RIZILLA {Saori Yano} (Movie)
5. How To Make A Pearl {Saori Yano} (PV) 

Crazy He Calls Me

Saori Yano - Groovin' High (2006)

Saori Yano, celebrated her 20th birthday on 27th October, 2006, and released this album "Groovin' High" that marks the end of her teenage years and the start of her 20s and beyond. The theme of this, her fifth album as leader is based around jazz expression in an ensemble format utilizing such jazz greats as: Randy Brecker (tp), Slide Hampton (tb), Jimmy Heath (ts), James Moody (ts,fl), Gary Smulyan (bs), Masaaki Imaizumi (p), Ray Drummond (b) and Adam Nussbaum (ds) in a mode reminiscent of her much loved and admired Dizzy Gillespie, whom was equally noted for his own big band groupings. Recorded at Clinton Studio, New York, Saori chose as her setlist a vivid array of well-known jazz standards. Listeners of Saori, even at this early age can truly appreciate her versatile and expansive performance/s, whilst accompanied by the some of the best modern day jazz masters. Her prowess lies in her ability to express herself freely at the same time showcasing her virtuosity, laying down the ground to be recognised as a bright new contender in the jazz world today. Overall, for any jazz fan this album serves as one not to be overlooked, enjoy! 

Savoy Records, COCB-53576, 2006
Recorded 22nd-23rd July, 2006 at Clinton Studio, New York 

Musicians:
Saori Yano - Alto Saxophone
Randy Brecker - Trumpet
Slide Hampton - Trombone
Jimmy Heath - Tenor Saxophone
James Moody - Tenor Saxophone, Flute
Gary Smulyan - Baritone Saxophone
Masaaki Imaizumi - Piano
Ray Drummond - Bass
Adam Nussbaum - Drums 

Featured Personnel:
01. Speak Low with Slide Hampton & Randy Brecker
02. Manteca with Full Band
03. My Ideal with Quartet
04. Greenism with Quartet
05. Over The Rainbow with Quartet
06. Groovin' High with Full Band
07. Corcovado with James Moody & Gary Smulyan
08. There Will Never Be Another You with James Moody
09. Billie's Bounce with James Moody
10. Song Of The Seashore with Full Band 

Tracks:
01. Speak Low {Kurt Weill} (9:20)
02. Manteca {Dizzy Gillespie} (6:56)
03. My Ideal {Newell Chase, Richard A. Whiting} (6:11)
04. Greenism {Saori Yano} (4:44)
05. Over The Rainbow {Harold Arlen} (6:43)
06. Groovin' High {Dizzy Gillespie} (6:50)
07. Corcovado {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (7:46)
08. There Will Never Be Another You {Harry Warren, Mack Gordon} (6:37)
09. Billie's Bounce {Charlie Parker} (3:35)
10. 浜辺の歌 [Song Of The Seashore] {Tamezō Narita} (6:28) 

Total Time: 65:16 

Credits:
Producer - Hiroyuki Okano
Artist Management, Co-producer - Haruki Naoi
Recording Engineer - Bryan Smith
Assistant Recording Engineer - Sheldon Yellowhair
Mixing Engineer - Toshiyasu Shiozawa
Assistant Mixing Engineer - Masumi Iwata
Mastering Engineer - Hiroshi Sato
Art Direction, Design - Ikkun Hagi
Inner Editor - Hiroshi Ajimoto
Photography - Nicci Keller 

Groovin' High

Jon Faddis - Teranga (2006)

After an extended layoff from studio recording, trumpeter Jon Faddis returns with Teranga. Taking its name from the Senegalese word for "hospitality," the album is an inspired and straightforward post-bop album and features Faddis in top form. Often driven by thick, acoustic basslines via Kiyoshi Kitagawa, Faddis' compositions are lush, visceral, and funky pieces that reveal the often-flashy trumpeter's more enigmatic and thoughtful inclinations. Longtime fans shouldn't fear, though, as Faddis' sparkling tone and trademark monumental range remain intact and are showcased throughout. Besides his superb backing ensemble that includes pianist David Hazeltine and drummer Dion Parson, Faddis has also brought along such sympathetic collaborators as Senegalese percussionists Abdou M'Boup and Alioune Faye as well as baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan, trumpeter Clark Terry, and others. ~ by Matt Collar, AMG. 

KOCH Records, KOC-CD-9969, 2006
Recorded 6th-7th September, 2005 at Bennett Studios, Englewood, New Jersey 

Personnel:
Jon Faddis - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Vocals, Arranger
David Hazeltine - Piano (#1-6,8,9)
Kiyoshi Kitagawa - Bass (#1-6,8,9)
Dion Parson - Drums (#1-6,8,9) 

Guests:
Frank Wess - Alto Flute (#4)
Abdou Mboup - Djembe, Talking Drum (#4)
Alioune Faye - Sabor (#4)
Clark Terry - Flugelhorn, Vocals (#6)
Russell Malone - Guitar (#6,7)
Gary Smulyan - Baritone Saxophone (#9) 

Tracks:
1. The Hunters & Gatherers {Jon Faddis} (6:38)
2. Hey, Lalo! {Jon Faddis} (5:37)
3. Waltz For My Fathers & Brothers {Jon Faddis} (5:17)
4. Teranga {Jon Faddis} (12:08)
5. The Courtship {Benny Carter} (6:34)
6. The Fibble-Ow Blues {Jon Faddis} (6:35)
7. Laurelyn {Jon Faddis} (5:56)
8. Transitions {Jon Faddis} (2:25)
9. The Baron {Jon Faddis} (4:55) 

Total Time: 56:11 

Credits:
Producer, Design, Packaging - Jon Faddis
Engineer, Mixing - Brian Dozoretz
Mastering - Adam Ayan
Design, Packaging - Michelle Lukianovich
Design, Packaging, Photography - John Abbott
A&R - David Wilkes
Public Relations - Gio Melchiorre
Liner Notes - Neil Tesser

Teranga

Riccardo Fassi - Riccardo Fassi New York Quintet (1998)

This CD represents an emblematic example of the high level of Italian jazz, which has nothing to envy for quality projects of its exponents to what is practiced overseas. The esteem that Riccardo Fassi enjoys with American musicians is well known to fans of African American music, as evidenced by his past collaborations with Steve Lacy, Tim Berne, Oliver Lake, Gunter Schuller, and especially his beautiful record of 1993 New York Trio (also for the YVP) with Rufus Reid and Marvin Smith. An elegant and refined writing of mainstream derivation permeates the CD, in which the pianist has carved out the difficult and discrete role of the orchestra more than the soloist, leaving room for the delicious solos now responsorial now in unison by Gary Smulyan engaged in the baritone saxophone and of vibraphonist Bryan Carrott, whose great rhythmic verve recalls the best Bobby Hutcherson of the '60s. Already the first notes of the CD, suggest a perfect balance between the components of the quintet, which leads the musicians to interact as if they were in an orchestra, aiming for short and dense solos, without ambitions of hyper-virtuosity pleased in a continuous game of tension and distension. A soft and relaxed atmosphere, never however glossy or mushy, permeates the development of most of the pieces including "Just Love", "Alluminio" and "Lamu", from the suave melodic performance. Carrott's performance is enhanced by the record, to which the recording industry has not (incredibly) granted until today the opportunity to show off with engravings on its behalf. And this seems all the truer given that today the creation of CDs no longer denies anyone. The forty-three vibraphonist New Yorker, who had already contributed with Fassi to the success of the "Conduction 43" by Butch Morris during the course of Verona Jazz in 1994, gives his instrument greater harmonic freedom and timbre variety to the weaving of the songs, on which the relaxed and relaxed interplay of the quintet. The beauty of the themes - all fascinating and seductive as few - and the rapid melodic and rhythmic changes, finally avert the predictability that generally characterizes the mainstream production, rigid in the structuring of the solos and the monochordal path. 4 Stars, ~ by Maurizio Zerbo [Translation from Italian].

YVP Music, 3092 CD, 2001

Recorded 3^rd February, 1998 At Systems Two, Brooklyn, New York

Musicians:

Riccardo Fassi - Piano

Gary Smulyan - Baritone Saxophone

Bryan Carrott - Vibraphone

Dennis Irwin - Double Bass

Adam Nussbaum - Drums

Tracks:

1. Lamu (6:54)

2. Last Dance (6:08)

3. No Space For The Eggs (7:23)

4. Mars (7:08)

5. Miss B (3:59)

6. Market (7:58)

7. Just Love (7:36)

8. Prophet (7:49)

9. Alluminium (6:34)

All Compositions and Arrangements by Riccardo Fassi

Credits:

Producer - Riccardo Fassi, York v. Prittwitz

Recording Engineer - Michael Marciano, Joseph Marciano

Digital Mastering - Philipp Heck, Bauer Studios, Ludwigsburg

Cover Photo - Jorge Lardone

Photo - Riccardo Fassi

Cover Design - York v. Prittwitz

Liner Notes - Yvp Music Archive