Hans Ulrik - Day After Day (1992)

Hans Ulrik, born 1965, is one of the most highly esteemed musicians in Denmark. He worked and studied in the U.S.A. from 1984 to 1987, and has since then been based in Copenhagen, His music has a truly Nordic sound. His playing is powerful and the composing is melodic and accessible but never ordinary. Some of the best players in the world are gathered here with Hans Ulrik, and the result cannot be disregarded: Strong and emotional playing - music that makes sense! ~ storyvillerecords. 

Storyville Records, STCD 4189, 1992
Recorded 30th January & 2nd December, 1991 at Sound On Sound Studio, New York City 

Musicians:
Hans Ulrik - Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax
John Abercrombie - Guitars
Niels Lan Doky - Piano
Gary Peacock - Bass
Adam Nussbaum - Drums
Mino Cinelu - Percussion (#2)

Tracks:
1. Day After Day {Hans Ulrik} (5:52)
2. The Kelimbag {Hans Ulrik} (4:40)
3. Slowly {Hans Ulrik} (5:06)
4. Ordinary People (6:27)
5. Innocence {Hans Ulrik} (7:19)
6. Message Returned {Hans Ulrik} (4:45)
7. Domestic Life {Hans Ulrik} (5:22)
8. Mr. Mox {Hans Ulrik} (6:15)
9. Christmas Song #2 {Niels Lan Doky} (3:12) 

Total Time: 49:02 

Credits:
Producer - Niels Lan Doky
Executive Producer - Karl Emil Knudsen
Recording & Mixing Engineer - James Farber
Photography [Front & Back] - Gorm Valentin
Photography [Photos] - Felicia Nestor
Layout - Chris Olesen 

Slowly

Roseanna Vitro - Softly (1993)

Singer Roseanna Vitro is expert at interpreting lyrics and scats with a strong sense of adventure. Ballads predominate on her excellent Concord CD, but there are also a few cookers (including a surprisingly rapid "I'm Through With Love"). The singer covers a wide variety of material (some of it of recent vintage) with a touching version of "So Many Stars" being a high point. Vitro is greatly assisted by a fine trio starring pianist Fred Hersch; the tenors of Tim Ries and George Coleman help out on some selections. This rewarding CD gives one a fine example of Roseanna Vitro's talents. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Concord Jazz, CCD-4587, 1993
Recorded at:
Horizon Sound, New Jersey;
Skyline Studios, New York 

Musicians:
Roseanna Vitro - Vocals
Tim Ries - Saxophone (#3,4,8,9)
George Coleman - Saxophone (#7,12,13)
Fred Hersch - Piano
Jay Anderson - Bass
Tom Rainey - Drums
Mino Cinelu - Percussion 

Tracks:
01. Falling In Love With Love {Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers} (3:37)
02. In Summer {Bruno Brighetti, Jon Hendricks, Bruno Martino} (5:36)
03. A Song For All Ages {Fred Hersch, Cheryl Pyle} (4:54)
04. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise {Oscar Hammerstein II, Sigmund Romberg} (4:38)
05. Moon And Sand {William Engvick, Morty Palitz, Alec Wilder} (4:24)
06. So Many Stars {Alan Bergman, Marilyn Keith, Sergio Mendes} (6:05)
07. I'm Through With Love {Gus Kahn, Fud Livingston, Matty Malneck} (3:44)
08. Wild Is The Wind {Dimitri Tiomkin, Ned Washington} (6:17)
09. Life I Choose {Tom Harrell, Cheryl Pyle} (4:18)
10. Our Love Rolls On {Dave Frishberg} (3:54)
11. Nothing Like You {Bob Dorough, Fran Landesman} (3:07)
12. Why Try To Change Me Now? {Cy Coleman, Joseph McCarthy} (5:11)
13. I Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues {Duke Ellington, Don George} (4:45) 

Total Time: 60:38

Credits:
Producer - Roseanna Vitro
Producer, Engineer, Mixing, Photography - Paul Wickliffe
Executive Producer - Carl Jefferson
Production Coordination - Elizabeth Bell
Assistant - Matt Curry, John Wall
Mastering - George Horn
Hair Stylist - Claudio Ugalde
Liner Notes - Zan Stewart

Geri Allen - Open On All Sides - In The Middle (1987)

Electric and acoustic pianist Geri Allen joins with fellow Detroiters for one of her more ambitious projects, offering a large ensemble featuring bassist Jaribu Shahid, drummer Tani Tabbal, soloists David McMurray and trumpeters Rayse Biggs and Marcus Belgrave, and New Yorkers as saxophonist Steve Coleman and trombonist Robin Eubanks. The tour de force "I Sang A Bright Green Tear For All Of Us This Year" is stunning, featuring the wonderful vocals of Shahida Nurullah, insistent rhythm, haunting refrains from Allen's keyboards, and shifting dynamics that are compelling. The rest of the material is not as innovative within a jazz-funk/M-Base framework, but contrasts her piano trio work. Not essential, but still an invigorating session. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Minor Music, CD MM 801013, 1987
Recorded December, 1986 At Sound Suite Recording Studio, Detroit, Michigan 

Musicians:
Geri Allen - Piano, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Racy Biggs - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Marcus Belgrave - Trumpet, Flugelhorn [Special Guest] (#8)
Robin Eubanks - Trombone
Steve Coleman - Alto Saxophone, Arranger [Horns] (#4)
David McMurray - Flugelhorn, Soprano Saxophone, Flute
Jaribu Shahid - Acoustic Bass
Tani Tabbal - Drums
Mino Cinelu - Percussion [Special Guest]
Shahita Nurallah - Lead Vocals
Lloyd Storey - Tap Dance [Special Guest] 

Tracks:
1. Open On All Sides / The Glide Was In The Ride... (6:49)
2. Forbidden Place (4:27)
3. The Dancer (2:36)
4. In The Middle (4:06)
5. Ray (4:23)
6. I Sang A Bright Green Tear For All Of Us This Year... (12:46)
7. Drummer's Song (2:29)
8. In The Morning [For Milton Nascimento] (5:05)
9. The Dancer Pt. 2 (1:34) 

All Compositions by Geri Allen 

Total Time: 44:15 

Credits:
Producer, Arranger, Composer - Geri Allen
Co-Producer - Steve Coleman
Executive-Producer - Stephan Meyner
Producer [Associate] - David McMurray, Mino Cinelu
Recording Engineer - Mike Brown
Mixing Engineer - Peter Denenberg
Design [Cover] - Christin Schindler, Claus Bäuerle
Photography - Jules Allen

Jacky Terrasson - What It Is (1999)

Pianist Jacky Terrasson is characteristic of today’s young jazz players. For a time, he seemed determined to capture the kind of piano trio classicism embodied by the likes of Bill Evans, with a developing sense of innate communication with minimalist drummer Leon Parker, and bassist Ugonna Okegwo, culminating in their satisfying live recording Alive. The path has changed for Terrasson this time out however, perhaps owed to sheer restlessness. It’s a shame that Jacky’s generation evidences little interest in developing a real band concept. 

All that’s not to condemn the current release; there is indeed a lot to like here as Terrasson has determined to showcase his original compositions performed by a varied cast whose core is Okegwo and drummer Jaz Sawyer. Produced by percussionist Mino Cinelu, Terrasson envelopes himself in rhythms from a variety of cultural sources, engages such disparate voices as harmonica player Gregoire Maret, guitars, electric basses, and tasteful use of keyboards to augment his piano in several instances. These landscaping tools are all in service to an attractive program of pieces, from originals to an arrangement of Ravel’s “Bolero.” Most notable is the comely line “Baby Plum,” which hosts Michael Brecker’s tenor and Richard Bona’s African bass. ~ Willard Jenkins, JazzTimes.com. 

Blue Note, 7243 4 98756 2 3, 1999
Recorded 16^th-18^th & 27^th November, 1998 At Avatar Studios, New York City 

Musicians:
Jacky Terrasson - Piano (#1-7,9) Fender Rhodes (#4,6,9), Organ [Wurlitzer] (#8, Shekere (#9)
Michael Brecker - Tenor Saxophone (#2,8)
Rick Centalonza - Flute (#1,9), Oboe (#9)
Jay Collins - Flute (#5,6)
Adam Rogers - Guitar (#1,7)
Ugonna Okegwo - Acoustic Bass (#2,3,5,6,9)
Fernando Saunders - Electric Bass (#1,7,9)
Richard Bona - Electric Bass (#4,8)
Jaz Sawyer - Drums (#2,4,5,6,9)
Mino Cinelu - Drums (#1,3,7 Percussion (#1,2,4,5,7-9), Sounds [Effects] (#6), Guitar (#9)
Gregoire Maret - Harmonica (#5,6)
Xiomara Laugart - Lead Vocals (#4) 

Tracks:
1. Sam's Song {Jacky Terrasson} (7:28)
2. What's Wrong With You! {Jacky Terrasson} (5:58)
3. Little Red Ribbon {Jacky Terrasson} (5:21)
4. Better World {Jacky Terrasson} (3:01)
5. Toot-Toot's Tune {Jacky Terrasson} (6:32)
6. Money {Roger Waters} (4:44)
7. Le Roi Basil {Jacky Terrasson} (8:35)
8. Baby Plum {Jacky Terrasson} (5:48)
9. Ravel: Bolero {Maurice Ravel} (6:36) 

Total Time: 54:03

Credits:
Producer, Additional Sound Effects - Mino Cinelu
Arranger - Jacky Terrasson
Recording (#1,7,9) & Mixing Engineer - Neil Dorfsman
Recording Engineer - Rob Eaton (#2-6,8)
Mastering Engineer - Leon Zarvos
Art Direction, Design - Jessica Novod
Creative Director - Gordon H Jee
Management - The Management Ark
Photography - Barron Claiborne