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

Tia Fuller - Angelic Warrior (2012)

Tia Fuller's fourth CD (and third for Mack Avenue) is a diverse affair, with a top-drawer supporting group (keyboardist Shamie Royston, bassist Mimi Jones, and drummer Rudy Royston) and several guests. The focus is primarily on the leader's originals, starting with the diverse post-bop vehicle "Royston Rumble" that showcases Fuller's explosive, often gritty alto, guest John Patitucci's bubbling electric bass, and drummer Rudy Royston's fiery closing break. "Ralphie's Groove" proves immediately infectious with its soulful theme, while Fuller's dramatic "Angelic Warrior" showcases her considerable chops on soprano sax in dramatic fashion, with Terri Lynne Carrington taking over on drums. "Tailor Made" mixes contemporary flavor and R&B in a spirited manner. Guest vocalist Dianne Reeves' sincere performance in "Body And Soul" is somewhat handicapped by the funky backbeat and bland backdrop scored by Fuller. Other standards fare better, including interweaves of two Cole Porter favorites, "So In Love" and "All Of You," the first introduced with a staccato unison line by alto and bass (with Patitucci taking over on acoustic bass), with Carrington again on drums. "Cherokee" is far from the usual bop interpretation, with Royston's distorted Fender Rhodes providing an unusual springboard behind the leader's high-powered alto sax. The future of jazz is safe with contributions from rising stars like Tia Fuller. ~ by Ken Dryden, AMG. 

Mack Avenue, MAC 1068, 2012
Recorded at Brooklyn Recording, Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Tia Fuller - Alto & Soprano Saxophones, Flute, Arranger
Shamie Royston - Piano, Fender Rhodes
Mimi Jones - Acoustic Bass
Rudy Royston - Drums 

Guests:
John Patitucci - Electric/Piccolo Bass (#1,2,4,6,9), Acoustic Bas (#8)
Terri Lynne Carrington - Drums (#3,8,12)
Shirazette Tinnin - Percussion (#2,6,9)
Dianne Reeves - Vocals (#5) 

Tracks:
01. Royston Rumble {Tia Fuller} (6:26)
02. Ralphie's Groove {Tia Fuller} (6:34)
03. Angelic Warrior {Tia Fuller} (5:55)
04. Lil Les {Tia Fuller} (5:43)
05. Body And Soul {Eyton, Green, Heyman, Sour} (7:00)
06. Descend To Barbados{Tia Fuller} (5:01)
07. Ode To Be [Interlude] {Tia Fuller} (1:01)
08. So In Love / All Of You {Cole Porter} (5:48)
09. Tailor Made {Tia Fuller} (7:14)
10. Core Of Me {Tia Fuller} (2:31)
11. Simpli-City {Tia Fuller} (5:59)
12. Cherokee {Ray Noble} (3:47)
13. Ode To Be [Outro] {Tia Fuller} (1:37) 

Total Time: 64:41 

Credits:
Producer - Tia Fuller, Al Pryor
Executive Producer - Gretchen Valade
Producer, Management - Brian McKenna
Engineer - Todd Whitelock, Damon Whittemore
Assistant Engineer - Trevor Fedele, Don Piper
Mastering Engineer - Mark Wilder
Art Direction, Design - Raj Naik
Photography - Keith Major 

In The Studio

Andy LaVerne Quartet - Modern Days & Nights: Music Of Cole Porter (1996)

Cole Porter wrote some of the most enduring songs of this century. So, when it came time to choose material for this collection, the problem was not a matter of inclusion, rather a matter of selection. Along with the intrinsic beauty of his compositions, Porter infused his songs with a malleability to absorb countless interpretations. While playing jazz is more expressive than interpretive, the arranging and harmonization of familiar melodies opens the way to interpretation. The expressive side of this project was covered by the musicians. The chemistry between Bill, John, Steve, and myself proved most gratifying. The result of having the Porter tunes as vehicles for self-expression, is the four of us coalescing into a strong, yet flexible unit. Of course, the gentle, genial, and generous guidance of Jamey D. Aebersold certainly helped complete the package. We really had fun playing, so have fun listening! ~ Andy LaVerne, February, 1997. 

Double-Time Records, DTRCD-120, 1997
Recorded 23rd November, 1996 at the Steve Davis Studio, Yonkers, New York 

Musicians:
Andy LaVerne - Piano, Arranger
Bill Evans - Soprano Sax (#1,2,4,8), Tenor Sax (#3,5,7,9)
John Patitucci - Acoustic Bass (#1-7,9)
Steve Davis - Drums (#1-7,9) 

Tracks:
1. A Cole Porter Flat {Andy LaVerne} (8:13)
2. I Love You {Cole Porter} (7:30)
3. Love For Sale {Cole Porter} (8:35)
4. What Is This Thing Called Love {Cole Porter} (8:11)
5. Everytime We Say Goodbye {Cole Porter} (7:24)
6. I've Got You Under My Skin {Cole Porter} (6:19)
7. Just One Of Those Things {Cole Porter} (8:42)
8. Everything I Love {Cole Porter} (4:06)
9. Night And Day {Cole Porter} (7:08) 

Total Time: 66:08 

Credits:
Producer - Jamey D. Aebersold
Mixing Engineer - Steve Davis
Photography - Andy Tommasi
Liner Notes - Andy LaVerne, Zan Stewart

Joanne Brackeen - Pink Elephant Magic (1998)

Joanne Brackeen's 22nd recording as a leader, this CD is one of her best overall recordings due to the high-quality material, the unpredictable arrangements, the variety, and the exciting and inventive solos by the pianist and her sidemen. Brackeen creates a tender version of Dave Brubeck's "Strange Meadowlark" unaccompanied, uses bassist John Patitucci and drummer Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez on of all the other selections, and is joined by trumpeter Nicholas Payton on three songs and Chris Potter (on tenor and soprano) on those three plus one other. In addition, Kurt Elling sings the eccentric "What's Your Choice, Rolls Royce" and soprano saxophonist Dave Liebman is a guest on two numbers. The young giant, Potter, in particular, excels among the supporting cast. All ten selections (seven of which are the leader's originals) have their colorful moments, particularly the whimsical "Pink Elephant Magic," a trio exploration of Jobim's "Wave," the very wide-ranging "Beethoven Meets the Millennium in Spain" and a heated version of "Tico Tico" in 5/4 time. The music is quite unpredictable but joyful and ultimately logical. Highly recommended. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Arkadia Jazz, 70371, 1999
Recorded 2^nd-3^rd June and 5^th & 25^th August, 1998 At 39th Street Music, NY 

Musicians:
Joanne Brackeen - Piano, Solo (#6)
Nicholas Payton - Trumpet (#1,5,9)
Chris Potter - Soprano Sax (#1), Tenor Sax (#5,8,9)
David Liebman - Soprano Saxophone (#4,10)
John Patitucci - Bass (#1-5,7-10)
Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez - Drums (#1-5,7-10)
Jamey Haddad - Percussion (#5)
Kurt Elling - Vocals (#4) 

Tracks:
01. Pink Elephant Magic {Joanne Brackeen} (6:42)
02. Ghost Butter {Joanne Brackeen} (5:29)
03. Wave {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (5:31)
04. What's Your Choice, Rolls Royce? {Joanne Brackeen} (5:50)
05. Beethoven Meets The Millenium In Spain {Joanne Brackeen} (8:12)
06. Strange Meadowlark {Joanne Brackeen} (7:06)
07. Tico Tico {Don Marcotte, Zequinha de Abreu, Ervin Drake} (5:17)
08. In Vogue {Joanne Brackeen} (8:25)
09. Cram'N Exam {Joanne Brackeen} (6:23)
10. Filene's {Joanne Brackeen} (7:19) 

Total Time: 66:14

Credits:
Executive Producer, Producer, Mixing, Mastering - Bob Karcy
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Dennis Wall
Assistant Engineer - Greg Griffith
Mastering Engineer - Gene Paul
Design - Gregory Downer
Studio Photos - R. Andrew Lepley
Cover Photo - Gene Martin
Liner Notes - Bret Primack