Showing posts with label Vicente Archer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vicente Archer. 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

Friday, March 24, 2023

Donald Harrison - The Ballads (2009)

"Mr. Harrison turned out to be one of the most musicologically literate jazz players to come out in ages." ~ New York Times. 

"Donald Harrison Jr. … the most interesting, most accessible, and most talented musician in the country right now." ~ East Bay Express. 

"… one of the more innovative bandleaders New Orleans has produced in the past 20 years." ~ Chicago Tribune. 

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Nagel Heyer Records, CD 9010, 2009
Recorded 2001 - 2008 in New York City and New Orleans 

Musicians:
Donald Harrison - Alto Saxophone
Christian Scott - Trumpet (#1,2,5,6,7)
Mulgrew Miller - Piano (#5,6,7)
Eric Reed - Piano (#1,2)
Victor Gould - Piano (#8,9)
Jesse McBride - Piano (#10)
Ron Carter - Bass (#3,4)
Vicente Archer - Bass (#1,2)
Luques Curtis - Bass (#5,6,7)
Max Moran - Bass (#8,9,10)
John Lamkin - Drums (#1,2,5,6,7)
Billy Cobham - Drums (#3,4)
Joseph Dyson - Drums (#8,9,10) 

Tracks:
01. Strange Day {Eric Reed} (7:46)
02. Swept From The Sea {John Lamkin} (5:31)
03. My Funny Valentine {Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart} (8:12)
04. Candlelight {Ron Carter} (6:33)
05. Summertime {George Gershwin} (9:28)
06. Cool Breeze {Donald Harrison} (5:20)
07. Sincerely Yours {Donald Harrison} (9:26)
08. They Can't Take That Away From Me {George & Ira Gershwin} (5:46)
09. If I Were A Bell {Frank Loesser} (6:32)
10. To Nola With Love {Donald Harrison} (9:49) 

Total Time: 74:23 

Notes:
#1,2 - Real Life Stories (2002) Nagel Heyer [2022]
#3,4 - Heroes (2004) Nagel Heyer [2041]
#5,6,7 - Survivor (2006) Nagel Heyer [2068]
#8,9,10 - The Chosen (2008) Nagel Heyer [2084]

Thursday, January 6, 2022

Jeb Patton - A Lovesome Thing (2006)

Jeb Patton, who has appeared as a leader with his trio in some of the more famous jazz spots around the globe, such as Smoke and the Village Vanguard, is already well recognized by the discerning New York audience. This work, which he independently produced in 2006, is truly a super-powerful piano trio. The fundamental development of this album never leaves the listener bored. This is attributed to the trio's undulating ability to express a meaningful and personable colorisation of each tune. Every song is full of excitement and fun. It is a work that can only be achieved by a skilled person who holds down the visceral energy of the trio. When Jeb's piano sings happily, the tune also becomes entwined in such joy and happiness. The trio explores five standards and five original tunes penned by Patton. Essentially, this album can easily be referred to as a masterpiece that any bona fide jazz lover will find delight in with multiple appraisals. It is especially true portrayed in "Hanna's Mood" ​​that Jeb dedicated to his late teacher Roland Hanna whom he studied under. Enjoy! 

Self-Produced - none, 2006
Recorded 6th May, 2005 at Systems Two Studio, Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Jeb Patton - Piano
Vicente Archer - Bass (Except #9)
David Wong - Bass (#9)
Pete Van Nostrand - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Love Walked In {George Gershwin} (6:12)
02. Worlds Apart {Jeb Patton} (3:43)
03. A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing {Billy Strayhorn} (6:11)
04. Begin The Beguine {Cole Porter} (3:17)
05. Relaxin' At Camarillo {Charlie Parker} (4:48)
06. Hanna's Mood {Jeb Patton} (6:56)
07. TF {Jeb Patton} (7:17)
08. The Wise Ones {Jeb Patton} (3:58)
09. Fantasy In F-Sharp Minor {Jeb Patton} (5:10)
10. Yemenja {John Hicks} (5:46) 

Total Time: 53:25 

Credits:
Producer - Jeb Patton
Recording Engineer - Mike Marciano 

The Wise Ones

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Donald Harrison Jr. Introducing Christian Scott - Paradise Found (2000)

Harrison is being called one of the most important musicians of the new millennium. On "Paradise Found," he continues to explore his groundbreaking Nouveau Swing style, which merges straight-ahead acoustic swing with modern R&B, second-line, hip-hop, Mardi Gras Indian, and reggae rhythms. There are few jazz musicians who can play it all, from traditional New Orleans style jazz to swing, bop, post-bop, modern, smooth, avant-garde, and beyond, but Harrison has developed his own personal style that traverses and synthesizes all these mediums with great success. Paradise Found also introduces 16-year-old trumpeter Christian Scott. Scott like Harrison is a native New Orleanian. On "Paradise Found," an aura of soothing, soulful serenity emanates from the music, reflecting the leader's recent revelations. "I think I've reached the point where I want to use music to help people and try to make the world a better place," he says. "This starts with the understanding that paradise starts within. When you come to a peaceful place within yourself and realize whom you are, you begin to play from your heart. That is what this record is about, accepting oneself and finding a peaceful place and trying to do the right thing by other people." ~ amazon.co.jp. 

Fomp Records, 9999, 2003
Recorded 5th March, 2000 At Ultrasonic Studio, New Orleans 

Musicians:
Donald Harrison Jr - Alto Saxophone
Christian Scott - Trumpet
Andrew Adair - Piano
Vicente Archer - Bass
John Lamkin - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Paradise Found {Donald Harrison} (6:53)
02. NY 2000 {Donald Harrison} (5:56)
03. Burnin {Donald Harrison} (4:55)
04. Young Blood {Christian Scott} (5:30)
05. Jamaican Girl {Donald Harrison} (7:27)
06. All My Love {Donald Harrison} (7:58)
07. Giant Steps {John Coltrane} (3:20)
08. One For Bird {Donald Harrison} (4:34)
09. Misty {Erroll Garner, Johnny Burke} (6:41)
10. Coolin {Donald Harrison} (6:29)
11. Idris Song {Donald Harrison} (3:40)
12. Soul Man {Donald Harrison, Isaac Hayes, David Porter} (6:43) 

Total Time: 70:06

Credits:
Producer, Project Coordinator - Donald Harrison
Mastering - Greg Calbi

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Jeremy Pelt - Make Noise! (2017)

Trumpeter Jeremy Pelt occupies an enviably open-minded space in the modern jazz landscape. A capable traditionalist, Pelt has built his career around making acoustic post-bop, with increasing forays into electrified, electronic-tinged fusion. His mutable choices keep you in suspense as a listener -- you’re never sure what to expect from one album to the next. While there are no such electronic flourishes on Pelt's 2017 effort, the warmly sophisticated Make Noise! It still pops with much of the same cross-genre creativity he's explored in the past. The album follows his similarly inclined 2016 effort #Jiveculture, which also featured an inventive acoustic sound accented by legendary bassist Ron Carter. This time out, Pelt brings along a slightly less-high-profile, if no less talented, ensemble including pianist Victor Gould, bassist Vicente Archer, drummer Jonathan Barber, and percussionist Jacquelene Acevedo. Together, they take an intimate approach to expansive post-bop that straddles the line between Miles Davis' '60s albums and Terence Blanchard's early-'80s work. Pelt has a broad, enveloping trumpet tone and a knack for laying down highly engaging solos that never hold a listener at arm's length. It's a skill he puts to good use throughout Make Noise! and one complemented by his bandmates, especially pianist Gould, who layers these tracks with a sparkling delicacy reminiscent of the late Mulgrew Miller. Similarly, with Acevedo's kinetic percussion filtered throughout, Make Noise! also has a strong Afro-Latin influence, a vibe especially apparent on the roiling title track and frenetic, salsa-infused "Bodega Social." Equally compelling, "Chateau d'Eau" has a languid, R&B-inflected melody set to a midtempo Afro-Latin groove. Elsewhere, Pelt pushes toward harmonically nuanced modalism, offering a fittingly elegiac and noir-ish tribute to the departed pop icon on "Prince," and evincing the angular, classically influenced style of Black Codes-era Wynton Marsalis on "Cry Freedom." While much of Pelt's work fits nicely into the jazz canon, he clearly has an open ear for melody, a gift he exercises on "Your First Touch...", which sounds like a Leonard Cohen song reworked as a sensuous jazz ballad. Ultimately, Make Noise! continues to reveal Pelt's maturation into a confident artist, comfortable enough with his place in the jazz tradition to keep subtly pushing the edges of audience expectation. ~ Matt Collar, AMG. 4.5/5 Stars

This CD is dedicated to Amma Sakyibea Pelt

HighNote Records, HCD 7299, 2017
Recorded 9th September, 2016 At Systems Two Recording Studios, Brooklyn, New York

Musicians:
Jeremy Pelt - Trumpet
Victor Gould - Piano
Vicente Archer - Bass
Jonathan Barber - Drums
Jacquelene Acevedo - Percussion

Tracks:
01. Prologue: Introduction to "Make Noise!" {Jacquelene Acevedo} (0:51)
02. Make Noise! {Jeremy Pelt} (5:23)
03. Prince {Jeremy Pelt} (8:14)
04. Cry Freedom {Jeremy Pelt} (5:24)
05. Digression {Simona Premazzi} (8:35)
06. Introduction to "Evolution" {Jonathan Barber} (2:05)
07. Evolution {Jeremy Pelt} (5:43)
08. Chateau D'Eau {Jeremy Pelt} (5:55)
09. Your First Touch... {Jeremy Pelt} (5:24)
10. Bodega Social {Jeremy Pelt} (5:07)

Credits:
Producer - Jeremy Pelt
Executive Producer - Joe Fields
Recording Engineer - Joe Marciano
Mixing and Mastering Engineer - Katsuhiko Naito
Photography - Ra-Re Valverde
Design - Keiji Obata, Peter Muller, Littlefield & Company