Bob Kenmotsu - Looking At Air (1997)

Backed by a swinging trio consisting of Joel Weiskopf on piano, Essiet Okon Essiet on bass and the well-known Bill Stewart on drums, tenor saxophonist Bob Kenmotsu delightfully dances his way through four originals and four standards in this generally hard driving set. Stewart, of course, is superb in the driver's seat, egging the group on. You can hear traces of Coltrane, and even Hank Mobley in Kenmotsu's horn, but he is clearly molding his own style. While Kenmotsu seems a tad less comfortable on the slower pieces, and his solos less adventurous, he is willing to take chances when the tempo picks up. His takes of standards such as "My Shining Hour," "Love Letters" and "On Green Dolphin Street" are different and worth hearing. While this recording is clearly in the tradition, it hints at something more, and largely succeeds on its own terms. ~ by Steve Loewy, AMG. 

Amosaya Records, AM-2529, 1997
Recorded 29th January, 1997 Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Bob Kenmotsu - Tenor Sax Flute
Joel Weiskopf - Piano
Essiet Okon Essiet - Bass
Bill Stewart - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Turtle Time {Robert Kenmotsu} (7:13)
2. Dance Of The Heart {Robert Kenmotsu} (5:07)
3. My Shining Hour {Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer} (6:29)
4. Love Letters {Edward Heyman, Victor Young} (6:46)
5. On Green Dolphin Street {Bronislaw Kaper, Ned Washington} (10:06)
6. Blue In Green {Miles Davis, Bill Evans} (9:35)
7. When We Are All Alone {Robert Kenmotsu} (6:20)
8. Looking At Air {Robert Kenmotsu} (6:31) 

Total Time: 58:13 

Credits:
Producer - Robert Kenmotsu
Recording Engineer - Michael Brophy
Digital Assembly - Ed Ulloa
Mastering Engineer - George Horn [Fantasy Studios]
Cover Photo - Junko Kenmotsu
Graphic Design - Elena Welch

LINK

Looking At Air

Chick Corea - The Sun (1971)

A 1970 session featuring sixty-seven percent of the Miles Davis sextet, which finally saw the light of day in 1978. These are the midnight perambulations of the extant Miles sextet (minus Moreira and Miles himself), congregated in some eternal kitchen of the soul where scraps of meat and melody are served to the insatiable jazzeaters who would have a bronze cast of Miles’ every footfall. Originally recorded in September 1970 (and purists will point out that Steve Grossman was technically out by then), the music on The Sun didn’t see the light of day for years, and only then appropriately in the land of the rising sun. It is, like much of the Miles Davis marginalia, worthy of time and note. You could see this as a semi-Circle: a quartet of bass, drums, piano and sax with Chick Corea, Dave Holland and the brilliant Jack DeJohnette at the core. The songs fit squarely into Corea’s avant-garde phase: dissonant with a very tactile and percussive quality that includes scratching, groaning and quick staccato clusters of keys jumbled together. Solos devolve (evolve?) into an orgy of frenetic notes, structure and chaos play an endless game of tug of war, and throughout you’ll find the occasional moments of calm that pierce through the stormclouds of fierce invention and remind you of the potency of melody. Now, nothing on The Sun could be called timeless music. Corea fans have likely had their fill of this stuff already; Grossman’s fans may be more inclined to make the effort, since he shines on this recording. It appears from the liner notes that a few guests (including Dave Liebman on some bagpipe-like instrument called the musette) joined the fun on the last three tracks, although their contributions are barely audible. ~ Kronomyth, progrography.com. 

Express Records [Far East], ETJ-60004, 1971
Recorded 14th September, 1970 at Up Surge Studio, New York City 

Musicians:
Chick Corea - Piano
Steve Grossman - Tenor Saxophone
Dave Holland - Bass
Jack DeJohnette - Drums
Steve Jackson - Percussion (#B1-B3)
Dave Liebman - Musette [Chinese] (#B1-B3)
Teruo Nakamura - Bells (#B1-B3) 

Tracks:
A1. Moon Dance {Steve Grossman} (6:46)
A2. Slumber {David Liebman} (11:23)
B1. The Sun, Part 1 {Chick Corea} (9:07)
B2. The Sun, Part 2 {Chick Corea} (2:37)
B3. The Moon {Chick Corea} (6:08) 

Total Time: 36:03 

Moon Dance

John Taylor, Palle Danielsson, Martin France - Giulia's Thursdays (2012)

British pianist John Taylor's Giulia's Thursdays is a tribute to Italian film composer, Carlo Rustichelli. It is the fourth in a series of trio albums that Taylor has made for Cam Jazz. Giuliana's Thursdays is a spirited, lushly romantic outing in which Taylor, bassist Palle Danielsson and drummer Martin France shine. Rustichelli wrote well crafted, attractive tunes - but like most screen composers, he relied on orchestration and instrumental texture rather than harmonic invention to sustain interest. His tunes, pretty as they are, do not, ultimately, offer Taylor much to explore in a trio context. Taylor makes the best of the material in front of him - which is to say, more than it had in it before he started - and anyone who has been listening since the masterpiece that is Angel Of The Presence is likely to enjoy it. ~ Extract by Chris May, AAJ. 

Cam Jazz, CAMJ 7847-5, 2012
Recorded 20th-22nd October, 2006 at Bauer Studios, Ludwigsburg, Germany 

Musicians:
John Taylor - Piano
Palle Danielsson - Double Bass
Martin France - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Titoli - Main Titles {Carlo Rustichelli} (5:39)
2. Canto D'Amore {Carlo Rustichelli, Nino Nicotra} (4:50)
3. Un Amore A Roma {Carlo Rustichelli} (5:58)
4. Marcia Funebre {Carlo Rustichelli} (6:05)
5. Tarantella Della Liberazione {Carlo Rustichelli} (4:14)
6. L'Onuri DI L'Ascaluni {Carlo Rustichelli, Nino Nicotra} (5:17)
7. Guerresco Ed Elegiaco {Carlo Rustichelli} (6:27)
8. I Giovedì Della Signora Giulia {Carlo Rustichelli} (6:33)
9. Partons Partons {Carlo Rustichelli, Walter Annichiarico} (4:55) 

Total Time: 50:03 

Credits:
Producer - Ermanno Basso
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Johannes Wohlleben
Mastering Engineer - Danilo Rossi
Photography - Andrea Boccalini, Peter Bastian
Liner Notes - Federico Scoppio 

Canto D'Amore

Joey DeFrancesco - All Of Me (1989)

Organist Joey DeFrancesco's debut as a leader would be impressive even if he had not been 17 at the time! DeFrancesco, whose sound has always been strongly influenced by Jimmy Smith (sounding like an exact duplicate on "All of Me"), is backed by an eight-piece horn section on two songs and a 16-piece string section on three others but more important to the music is the playing of guitarist Lou Volpe, drummer Buddy Williams and the electric bass of Alex Blake. Houston Person's tenor is also a strong asset on two of the eight numbers in a program that ranges from swing to more modern funk. A strong start to a colorful career. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Columbia Records, CK 44463, 1989
Recorded at Mastersound Studios, Astoria, New York 

Musicians:
Joey DeFrancesco - Organ [Hammond B-3], Ensoniq Keyboards (#5,6)
Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone (#7,8)
Lou Volpe - Guitar
Alex Blake - Acoustic Bass (#3,4), Electric Bass (#2,5-8)
Buddy Williams - Drums
Bashuri Johnson - Percussion
16-Piece String Section (#2,4,6)
8-Piece Horn Section (#8)
Horace Ott - Conductor

Tracks:
1. Blues For J. {Jimmy Smith} (4:20)
2. [They Long To Be] Close To You {Burt Bacharach, Hal David} (4:31)
3. Carbon Copy {Joey DeFrancesco} (6:00)
4. All Of Me {Seymour Simons, Gerald Marks} (7:03)
5. 30th Street Station {Joey DeFrancesco} (4:06)
6. One For C.C. {Joey DeFrancesco} (6:16)
7. L.G. Blues {Joey DeFrancesco} (5:58)
8. Pétala {Djavan} (6:19) 

Total Time: 44:39 

Credits:
Producer, Arranger, Conductor - Horace Ott
Executive Producer - Dr. George Butler
Engineer - Tom Roberts
Music Copyist - Frank Zuback
Art Direction - Howard Fritzson
Photography - Mark Malabrigo
Liner Notes - Al Pyror

LINK

L.G. Blues

Ravi Coltrane - Moving Pictures (1998)

All modern saxophonists stand in the shadow of John Coltrane, but that shadow must be overwhelming for his son, Ravi Coltrane. Ravi certainly opened himself up to criticism by pursuing the saxophone as his main instrument, but he was smart enough not to play in the style of his father, opting to follow the influence of straight-ahead hard boppers like Joe Henderson. It was a wise move, since Ravi has a rich, warm tone and deft style that makes his melodic, well-structured compositions all the more appealing. Moving Pictures, his debut record, is mainly comprised of originals, with covers of Henderson, McCoy Tyner, Horace Silver, and Wayne Shorter songs thrown in for good measure. Working with drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts, bassist Lonnie Plaxico, and pianist Michael Cain, Coltrane achieves a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere on his first session. It may not offer anything new, but Moving Pictures is a promising debut from a young saxophonist who may have a lot to offer on his own terms. ~ by Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG. 

BMG / RCA VICTOR, 74321-55887-2, 1998
Recorded 15th-17th October, 1997 at Two Recording Studio, Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Ravi Coltrane - Tenor & Soprano Saxes
Michael Cain - Piano
Lonnie Plaxico - Bass
Jeff “Tain” Watts - Drums
Special Guests:
Ralph Alessi - Trumpet (#1,3,7,11)
Steve Coleman - Alto Sax (#9,11)
Ancient Vibrations: (#1,6,11)
Junior "Gabu" Wedderburn - Djembe [Lead]
Jeremiah McFarlane - Djembe
Clyde Wedderbum - Djun-Djun 

Tracks:
01. Interlude - Thursday {Ravi Coltrane} (2:33)
02. Narcine {Ravi Coltrane} (9:20)
03. Tones For Jobe Kain {Ravi Coltrane} (7:22)
04. In Three For Thee {Ravi Coltrane} (5:05)
05. Peace {Horace Silver} (5:39)
06. Search For Peace {McCoy Tyner} (7:10)
07. Mixed Media {Ravi Coltrane} (8:22)
08. High Windows {Ravi Coltrane} (5:34)
09. Inner Urge {Joe Henderson} (7:50)
10. When You Dream {Edgy Lee, Wayne Shorter} (4:39)
11. Outerlude - Still Thursday {Ravi Coltrane} (2:50) 

Total Time: 66:28 

Credits:
Producer, Mixing - Steve Coleman
Assistant Producer - Sophia Wong
Executive Producer - Daniel Baumgarten
Engineer, Mixing - Joseph Marciano
Assistant Engineer - Nancy Marciano
Mixing, Liner Notes - Ravi Coltrane
Mastering Engineer - Ted Jensen
Photography - Jimmy Katz, Darlene DeVita, Dorothy Low
Liner Notes - Amiri Baraka

LINK

Ravi Coltrane ft. Steve Coleman - Inner Urge

Hilton Ruiz - Strut (1988)

Pianist Hilton Ruiz mixes together elements of salsa, r&b, funk and jazz but, instead of his music becoming some type of hybrid, the result is a very danceable variety of jazz that is both accessible and challenging. Ruiz, whose main influence is McCoy Tyner, gathered together a very interesting assortment of players for Strut. Trumpeter Lew Soloff contributes some high notes and leads the horn riffing, trombonist Dick Griffin's extroverted trombone is witty in its short spots, Sam Rivers (mostly on tenor) and percussionist Mongo Santamaria add their sounds to the brew and guitarist Rodney Jones is second only to Ruiz in taking solo honors. It is particularly rewarding to hear a Latin remake of "The Sidewinder" and many of the other good-natured melodies are catchy. Strut should be able to win over both jazz fans and those listeners who claim to not understand or be able to appreciative creative music. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Novus Records, PD83053, 1989
Recorded 30th November & 1st December, 1988 at Studio B, RCA Studios, New York City

Musicians:
Hilton Ruiz - Piano
Lew Soloff - Trumpet
Dick Griffin - Trombone
Sam Rivers - Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax
Rodney Jones - Guitar, Bass (#7)
Francisco Centeno - Electric Bass
Robby Ameen - Drums, Timbales, Percussion (#4,5)
Steve Berrios - Drums (#4,5)
Mongo Santamaria - Congas 

Tracks:
1. The Sidewinder {Lee Morgan} (6:19)
2. Goin' Back To New Orleans {Hilton Ruiz} (10:45)
3. Bluz {Sam Rivers} (4:59)
4. Aged In Soul {William Allen} (4:19)
5. All My Love Is Yours {Dick Griffin} (8:07)
6. Soca Serenade {William Allen} (5:55)
7. Why Don't You Steal My Blues {Bradley Cunningham} (2:34)
8. Lush Life {Billy Strayhorn} (6:24) 

Total Time: 49:24 

Credits:
Producer - Ed Michel
Producer [Series] - Steve Backer
Engineer - Tony May
Disc Mastering - Jack Adelman
Art Direction, Design - Ria Lewerke, Pietro Alfien
Photography - Brian Davis 

Aged In Soul

Tim Armacost - Fire (1995)

Let's face it, most great young players in jazz don't have careers like Charlie Parker or Joshua Redman - they don't rise right to the top. Rather, these artists make their way gradually to being the musicians everybody talks about. Tim Armacost has that kind of potential, too. He's definitely got the goods: a warm, regal tone, a commanding technique that unleashes clean, round notes at any tempo, an imagination that concocts melodic yet steamy improvisation, a sense of emotional maturity that communicates real feeling and a rhythmic whammy that makes everything swing. And he can write. Influenced by the best - Sonny Rollins, Hank Mobley, Ornette Coleman, Parker, Clifford Brown and others - Armacost has racked up some solid credits in his decade-plus as a working pro. Fire is sure to spread the good news about this superb saxophonist. ~ Extract by Zan Stewart, Liner Notes. 

Concord Jazz, CCD-4697, 1996
Recorded 20th-21st November, 1995 at Sound-On-Sound, New York 

Musicians:
Tim Armacost - Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax
Kenny Barron - Piano
Gerald Cannon - Bass
Billy Hart - Drums (#1-5)
Shingo Okudaira - Drums (#5-10) 

Tracks:
01. Norwegian Wood {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (7:38)
02. The Old Familiar Faces {Tim Armacost} (5:43)
03. Long Haired Girl {Tim Armacost} (5:14)
04. Pennies From Heaven {Johnny Burke, Arthur Johnson} (7:25)
05. The Tabla Master {Tim Armacost} (6:21)
06. Macondé {Shingo Okudaira} (6:53)
07. There's A Lull In My Life {Mack Gordon, Harry Revel} (6:40)
08. Voyage {Kenny Barron} (6:42)
09. Imprint {Tim Armacost} (7:05)
10. Bailey's Blues {Tim Armacost} (7:50) 

Total Time: 67:34 

Credits:
Producer - Allen Farnham
Production Manager - Kathleen Vance
Executive-Producer - John Burk
Engineer - Alan Varner
Engineer [Assistant] - Devin Emke, Tsumoru ("T.K.") Kume
Mixing Engineer - Phil Edwards
Mastering Engineer - George Horn
Photography - Teri Bloom
Art Direction - Kent Judkins 

Long Haired Girl

Ravi Coltrane - Spirit Fiction (2012)

A career on the saxophone with one of the most freethinking saxophonists in music history for a father has to be a tough call. Now 46, Ravi Coltrane, son of John, has often chosen to be a sympathetic sideman rather than the boss. But his Blue Note Records debut as a leader feels like a giant step. The tracks are split between two groups (a quartet with Luis Perdomo on piano, and a superb quintet with Geri Allen at the keys, and Ralph Alessi on trumpet), playing an arrestingly original postbop repertoire, plus covers of pieces by Ornette Coleman and Paul Motian. There are delicate improv conversations between Coltrane and Alessi, passages in which Geri Allen and drummer Eric Harland uncannily recall the sound of the young Herbie Hancock and Tony Williams in the Miles Davis quintet, quiet tone-bending sax ruminations and a deliciously ramshackle version of Ornette Coleman's Check Out Time. It genuinely sounds like a coming-of-age for Ravi Coltrane. ~ John Fordham, The Guardian. 

Blue Note Records, 509999 18937 2 7, 2012
Recorded (#1,3,4,7,11) at Bennett's Studios, Englewood, New Jersey
Recorded (#2,5,8,9,10) at Sear Sound, New York City
Recorded (#6) at Systems Two Recording, Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Ravi Coltrane - Tenor & Soprano Saxes
Joe Lovano - Tenor Sax (#9,10)
Luis Perdomo - Piano (#1,3,4,7,11)
Drew Gress - Bass (#1,3,4,7,11)
E.J. Strickland - Drums (#1,3,4,6,7,11)
Ralph Alessi - Trumpet (#2,5,8,9)
Geri Allen - Piano (#2,5,8-10)
James Genus - Bass (#2,5,8,9)
Eric Harland - Drums (#2,5,8,9)

Tracks:
01. Roads Cross {Gress, Strickland, Perdomo, Coltrane} (5:04)
02. Klepto {Ralph Alessi} (7:30)
03. Spirit Fiction {Gress, Strickland, Perdomo, Coltrane} (52:28)
04. The Change, My Girl {Ravi Coltrane} (6:46)
05. Who Wants Ice Cream {Ralph Alessi} (6:32)
06. Spring & Hudson {Ravi Coltrane} (2:21)
07. Cross Roads {Gress, Strickland, Perdomo, Coltrane} (5 (4:03)
08. Yellow Cat {Ralph Alessi} (6:50)
09. Check Out Time {Ornette Coleman} (7:26)
10. Fantasm {Paul Motian} (4:08)
11. Marilyn & Tammy {Ravi Coltrane} (5:42) 

Total Time: 58:57 

Credits:
Producer, Mixing - Ravi Coltrane
Producer, Mixing, Liner Notes - Joe Lovano
Executive-Producer - Bruce Lundvall
Recording Engineer - Dave Kowalski (#1,3,4,7,11)
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Chris Allen (#2,5,8-10)
Recording Engineer - Joe Marchiano (#6)
Mixing Engineer - Ravi Coltrane, Steve Genewick (#1,3,4,6,7,11)
Mixing Engineer - Joe Lovano (#2,5,8-10)
Mastering Engineer - Allan Tucker
Art Direction, Design - Hayden Miller
Photography - Darlene Devita 

Spirit Fiction

Naoko Tanaka - I Fall In Love Too Easily (2017)

The second release in the Hi-Rez Beauty Jazz series produced by Masahiko Osaka, a leading high-resolution expert in the jazz world, features pianist Naoko Tanaka. This album features jazz standard tunes in ultra-high quality high-end sound recorded in one take at native DSD 11.2MHz! The immersive, deep sound creates the ultimate space for adults. This work brings out a different charm from the original songs in Naoko Tanaka's previous album, "Memories." ~ www.cdjapan.co.jp. 

King Records, KICJ-768, 2017
Recorded 10th~11th May, 2017 at King Records Sekiguchidai Studio, Tokyo, Japan 

Musicians:
Naoko Tanaka - Piano, Arranger
Daiki Yasukagawa - Bass
Masahiko Osaka - Drums 

Tracks:
01. How High The Moon {Morgan Lewis, Nancy Hamilton} (5:49)
02. Doxy {Sonny Rollins} (4:55)
03. Someone To Watch Over Me {George & Ira Gershwin} (5:41)
04. I'll Close My Eyes {Billy Reid} (4:42)
05. I Fall In Love Too Easily {Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn} (4:31)
06. Lotus Blossom {Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn} (5:09)
07. In A Mellow Tone {Duke Ellington} (6:47)
08. Con Alma {Dizzy Gillespie} (6:27)
09. Chega De Saudade [No More Blues] {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (4:14)
10. Old Folks {Dedette Lee Hill, Willard Robison} (6:30) 

Total Time: 54:51 

Credits:
Producer - Masahiko Osaka
Recording, Mixing, Mastering - Shinji Yoshikoshi 

I Fall In Love Too Easily

Neal Smith Quintet - Live At Smalls (2010)

Drummer Neal Smith has a hell of a group here - Eric Alexander on tenor, Steve Wilson on alto, Mark Whitfield on guitar, and Mulgrew Miller on piano - a lineup that he more than lives up to with his tight leadership, and great choice of material for the date! The tunes include two numbers by Tom McIntosh - a telling inclusion, given the way the album brings together the same strands of soul, swinging, and cerebral that McIntosh brought to his compositions in the early 60s. Smith's got a great way of bringing out the most sensitive aspects of the tunes, while still setting the players free to find their own voice - thanks partly to the long takes on these live recordings - and titles include "Fifty Six", "Stew Peas", "A Portrait Of You", "With Malice Towards None", "The Cup Bearers", and "Junior". ~ Dusty Groove, Inc. 

SmallsLIVE Records, SL-0007, 2010
Recorded 23rd & 24th August, 2009 Live At Smalls Jazz Club, Greenwich Village, NYC 

Musicians:
Neal Smith - Drums
Steve Wilson - Alto & Soprano Sax
Eric Alexander - Tenor Saxophone
Mulgrew Miller - Piano
Mark Whitfield - Guitar
Dezron Douglas - Bass

Tracks:
1. The Cup Bearers {Tom McIntosh} (14:04)
2. Junior {John Farnsworth} (8:20)
3. What A Friend We Have In Jesus {Charles C, Converse} (14:58)
4. With Malice Towards None {Tom McIntosh} (12:16)
5. A Portrait Of You {Donald Walden} (14:02)
6. Stew Peas {Dezron Douglas} (8:19)
7. Fifty-Six {Johnny Griffin} (7:55) 

Total Time: 79:58 

Credits:
Producer - Spike Wilner
Engineer - Glen Forrest
Mastering - Gene Paul, Jamie Polaski
Mixing - Ben Rubin
Cover Design, Photography - Michelle Watt 

Concert Online [AudioOnly]

Aya Takazawa - Crescent City Connection (2017)

Here we have the versatile and beautiful trumpeter Aya Takasawa's Debut Album. It is New Orleans recording with a luxurious membered quintet. Held at America's largest jazz festival, 47-year history Heritage & New Orleans Jazz Festival in 2016. Aya Takasawa appeared with her own band, and this is a recording taken from the festival’s star players. Based on the New Orleans tunes, the selection focused on the roots of each song, including the original songs of Aya Takasawa. There's no disputing, it is brilliant album showcasing an up-and-coming spectacular performer. Essential to all lovers of trumpet enhanced jazz music. 

King Records, KICJ-760, 2017
Recording 20th & 21st April, 2016 at Music Shed Studio, New Orleans 

Musicians:
Aya Takazawa - Trumpet, Arranger
Nami Kano - Alto Saxophone (#1,2,4,6)
Wessell Anderson - Alto Saxophone (#3,5,7-9)
Jesse McBride - Piano
Kengo Nakamura - Bass
Jason Marsalis - Drums, Vibraphone (#1)

Tracks:
1. Bubudy -Crescent City Connection {Aya Takazawa} (4:57)
2. St. Louis Blues {William Christopher Handy} (6:56)
3. My Poinciana {Aya Takazawa} (6:06)
4. FLD [Falling Down] {Aya Takazawa} (5:23)
5. When It's Sleepy Time Down South {Clarence Muse, Otis Rene, Leon Rene} (4:58)
6. Drizzlin' {Aya Takazawa} (6:19)
7. Mr. Clean {Weldon Irvine} (4:37)
8. Chicken Tails {Aya Takazawa} (5:44)
9. Herlin Homey Riley {Wessell Anderson} (6:00) 

Total Time: 51:03 

Credits:
Producer - Aya Takazawa
Recording Engineer - Ben Lorio
Mixing & Mastering - Takaaki Konno 

My Poinciana

Dick De Graaf - Fo4r Winds (2002)

Dutch saxophonist De Graaf was looking to make this album a sort of sequel to a previous session in which he had been invited to play with musicians from Mali in West Africa. He found it inspiring but he had to fit into their musical concept. In Fo4r Winds he has created a more personal concept album, using all his own compositions except for one, and making them the basis for improvisations which honor the various cultures of the members of his world music/jazz band. I was immediately attracted to the inclusion in the band of both steel pans and the sophisticated African harp known as the kora. Also, percussionist Burhoe plays some mean tablas on several of the tracks, lending an East Indian flavor to the music. Both kora virtuoso Diabaté and bassist Diallo are from Mali. Some attempted mixes of world music and jazz fall rather flat because it sounds like the two approaches to the music are just trying to fit in without stepping on each other’s musical toes. Not so De Graaf’s group - most of the tracks sound like completely integrated musical ideas that don’t cry out India / Caribbean / Africa and so on as you hear the various ethnic instruments featured. And there’s no lack of good tunes along with the catchy rhythms that make you want to get up and dance. This is a mostly instrumental album; the vocals are minimal. The clarity of the hi-res stereo puts you up close to the band and digging the unexpected instrumental sounds. The kora is especially well-represented; I don’t believe I had appreciated before what a rich and unique sound Mali’s national instrument has! ~ spiritofturtle.com. 

Turtle Records, TRSA0012 [SACD], 2002
Recorded 12th-16th November, 2001 at The Doopsgezinde Kerk, Amsterdam, Netherlands 

Musicians:
Dick De Graaf - Tenor & Soprano Saxes
Ty Burhoe - Percussion
Mamadou Diabaté - Kora
Moussa Diallo - Bass Guitar, Vocals
Russell ‘Konkie’ Halmeyer - Steelpans
Inga Juuso - Vocals

Tracks:
1. Green Fountain {Dick De Graaf} (5:36)
2. Maninda {Dick De Graaf} (3:50)
3. Obstinato {Dick De Graaf} (5:30)
4. Fo4r Winds {Dick De Graaf} (8:14)
5. Carifusion {Dick De Graaf} (5:22)
6. Inner Paradise {Dick De Graaf} (6:18)
7. Siesta {Dick De Graaf} (7:06)
8. Summer Breeze {Moussa Diallo} (9:33) 

Total Time: 51:34 

Credits:
Producer - Dick Kuijs
Co-producer, Balance & Mastering Engineer - Harry van Dalen
Balance Engineer, Editing - Bert Van Der Wolf, Fir Suidema
Balance & Mastering Engineer - Fir Suidema
Design & Photography - Rob Becker [Beeldverhaal] Amsterdam
Liner Notes - Dick De Graaf 

Obstinato

Archie Shepp - Lady Bird (1978)

One of the best records from Shepp's "new tradition" late 70's period devoted to the exploration of Charlie Parker. The album features extended readings of tracks that are either Parker originals, or which were strongly associated with him - and titles include "Donna Lee", "Lady Bird", "Now's The Time", and "Relaxin At Camarillo". Shepp's actually right at home in this setting, and his "out" background really brings a new twist to a traditional understanding of Bird. The rest of the group is made up of Jaki Byard, Cecil Mc Bee, and Roy Haynes.  © Dusty Groove, Inc. 

Denon Records, DC-8546, 1989
Recorded 7th December, 1978 at Sound Ideas Studio, New York City 

Musicians:
Archie Shepp - Alto Saxophone
Jaki Byard - Piano
Cecil McBee - Bass
Roy Haynes - Drums

Tracks:
1. Donna Lee {Charlie Parker} (6:37)
2. Relaxin' At Camarillo {Charlie Parker} (7:18)
3. Now's The Time {Charlie Parker} (7:49)
4. Lady Bird {Tadd Dameron} (7:51)
5. Flamingo {Ed Anderson, Ted Grouya} (12:30) 

Total Time: 42:07 

Very good album by Archie Shepp
Atypical album where Archie Shepp plays only the alto, well supported by pianist Jackie Byard, Cecil McBee on bass and Roy Haynes on drums. It is a quality recording, as always with the Japanese label Denon, although a little short (42 min) which includes 3 tunes by Charlie Parker, (notably a beautiful version of "Relaxin' at Camarillo" as well as "Now's the time"), a tune by Tadd Dameron ("Lady bird") and above all a real little gem: an admirable version of "Flamingo" by Ed Anderson of more than 12 min which is worth, on its own, the acquisition of this rare and expensive album... ~ L. Pierre, 4.0 Stars, Amazon.com. [Translated From French] 

Relaxin' At Camarillo

Isao Suzuki Trio - Black Orpheus (1976)

Isao Suzuki, the international star bassist who gave us Blow Up! and Blue City is joined by another star player of the TBM label, the soulful pianist Tsuyoshi Yamamoto. A great album. This was released on the Japanese Three Blind Mice label. This one has actually been reissued recently, but I imagine that in some parts of the world it might be tough to find as anything but an expensive import. However, if you really like it I urge you to buy it. The session features Isao Suzuki on bass and cello, Donald Bailey on drums and Tsuyoshi Yamamoto on rhodes and piano. The sound is mostly jazzy with a hint of funkiness on Manha De Carnaval, which is also my favorite track on the album (the rhodes sound especially lovely on that one). ~ by Celo. 

Three Blind Mice, TBM-2563, 1976
Three Blind Mice, TBM-XR-0063, 1997
Recorded 20th February, 1976 at AOI Studio, Tokyo, Japan 

Musicians:
Isao Suzuki - Bass, Cello
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto - Piano, Electric Piano [Rhodes]
Donald Bailey - Drums

Tracks:
A1. Manha de Carnaval {Luiz Bonfá} (11:11)
A2. Angel Eyes {Matt Dennis, Earl Brent} (8:11)
B1. Who Can I Turn To {Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newly} (8:12)
B2. In A Sentimental Mood {Duke Ellington} (5:44)
B3. Blues {Tsuyoshi Yamamoto} (5:55) 

Total Time: 39:16 

Credits:
Producer - Takeshi Fujii
Recording Engineer - Yoshihiko Kannari
Art Director - Ben Nishizawa
Liner Notes - Terry Isono 

Isao Suzuki is the grand master of jazz in Japan. He is a bassist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, producer, and bandleader. He was born on January 3, 1933 in Tokyo. 

In A Sentimental Mood

Tomoko Ohno In Buenos Aires - Jazz Meets Tango (2007)

The first meeting between Lew and Tomoko took place in 2007, during the pianist's first visit to Buenos Aires. "She came with the idea of ​​recording a CD, which ended up being called Tomoko Ohno in Buenos Aires: Jazz Meets Tango. We did it with saxophonist Andrés Boiarsky and bandoneonist Matías González. In 2011 we recorded a duo album, which also included works by Astor," says [Ricardo] Lew. The guitarist, with a remarkable career that includes collaborations with Gato Barbieri, Rubén Rada, Buddy De Franco, Luciano Pavarotti and Piazzolla himself, as well as having been a member of La Banda Elástica, is especially enthusiastic about this new encounter: "Although Tomoko lives in New Jersey, we are in constant contact, waiting for the moment to play together again. It is something that we especially enjoy, because there is a very special chemistry between us. For my part, I have rarely played with a pianist of such talent and musicality: getting on stage to play with Tomoko is complete happiness." Piazzolla's music is not the only magnet that attracts Tomoko to these lands. "Tomoko has a very strong and affectionate bond with Buenos Aires," says Lew. "She has lots of friends and is very gratified by food. She is a fan of choripanes and empanadas, which she learned to cook and which are already part of her regular menu in the United States." from newspaper La Nación. [Translated From Spanish] 

MDR Records, MDR1462, 2007
Recorded and Mixed March, 2006 in Buenos Aires, Argentina 

Musicians:
Tomoko Ohno - Acoustic Piano
Andrés Boiarsky - Soprano & Tenor Saxes, Clarinet, Flute
Ricardo Lew - Acoustic Guitar
Matías González - Bandoneon 

Tracks:
01. Bandoneon, Guitarra Y Bajo {Astor Piazzolla} (3:24)
02. J.B. {Tomoko Ohno} (6:06)
03. Make Someone Happy {Jule Styne} (5:03)
04. Monkey And Pineapple {Tomoko Ohno} (4:39)
05. Los Paraguas de Buenos Aires {Astor Piazzolla} (5:55)
06. Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans {Eddie De Lange} (5:11)
07. Maria {Tomoko Ohno} (5:46)
08. Pollo Picante {Tomoko Ohno} (5:16)
09. Kame III {Tomoko Ohno} (3:46)
10. Memphis {Tomoko Ohno} (5:23) 

Total Time: 50:29 

Credits:
Producer - Ruben Bondoni, Alberto Grande
Engineer - Ricardo Sanz
Album Photos - Horacio Sbaraglia
Graphic Design - Damián Defant 

Los Paraguas de Buenos Aires

Hans Luchs - Time Never Pauses (2015)

With his engaging debut as a leader in Time Never Pauses, Chicago guitarist Hans Luchs offers up an intriguing batch of well-crafted originals and two delightfully reinterpreted standards. Luchs brings his trademark sound of polished elegance and understated, but definite passion to this captivating music. Opening with the darkly hued "Der Lumenmeister," the band sets an intimate ambience that permeates the entire disc. Trumpeter Shaun Johnson's lithe, melodic lines and burnished tones usher in the bubbling and erudite improvisation of Luchs that emerges out of the simmering ensemble play. Pianist Stu Mindeman complements Luchs with his crisp resonant and muscular chords that tumble over the composition’s dense, harmonic structure. Johnson superbly balances an intelligence and raw emotion with his inventive embellishments on the thrilling "Green Deluchs." His expressive performance matches Luchs’ refreshingly creative and fervent solo. Keeping with the electrifying nature of the tune drummer, George Fludas concludes with breathtaking and thunderous polyrhythms. Fludas’ hushed brushes and softly crashing cymbals enhance the spirituality of legendary composer, pianist and bandleader Duke Ellington’s classic, "Come Sunday." Bassist Clark Sommers takes center stage with supreme lyricism as his strings reverberate with evocative yearning. Through the core of the piece, Luchs’ blues-drenched guitar rolls with inspired ardor and vivid eloquence. Another ballad, "Elizabeth," has a warm lilting melody that the group spontaneously transforms into a spontaneous song of wistful sophistication and vibrant romanticism. Luchs makes his resonant strings chime and ring as he extemporizes with brilliance and a deep poetic sense. This charming album showcases Luchs’ writing skills as well as his superb instrumentalism and band leadership. Although none of the originals are particularly memorable, they are gracefully alluring. And together with the high-caliber musicianship, they make for a pleasantly satisfying listen. Time Never Pauses is a promising freshman effort from a superlatively talented and imaginative artist who is at the threshold of a distinguished career. ~ www.chicagojazz.com. 

OA2 Records, 22123, 2015
Recorded 21st January, 2015 at Transient Sound Inc, Chicago, Illinois 

Musicians:
Hans Luchs - Guitar
Shaun Johnson - Trumpet
Stu Mindeman - Piano
Clark Sommers - Bass
George Fludas - Drums
Juan Pastor - Congas (#1)

Tracks:
01. Das Lumenmeister {Hans Luchs} (6:23)
02. Elizabeth {Hans Luchs} (6:12)
03. Green DeLuchs {Hans Luchs} (5:25)
04. Come Sunday {Duke Ellington} (7:00)
05. Tuesday Night Delivery {Hans Luchs} (5:21)
06. January Spring {Hans Luchs} (4:44)
07. Hello Janssen {Hans Luchs} (6:12)
08. Taylor Street Swing {Hans Luchs} (4:27)
09. Get Out Of Town {Cole Porter} (5:10)
10. 30 Rue Des Martyrs {Hans Luchs} (8:29) 

Total Time: 59:23 

Credits:
Producer - Hans Luchs
Recording Engineer - Steven Gillis
Mixing Engineer - Brian Schwab, Chicago
Photography - Helmut Luchs
Cover Design & layout by John Bishop 

"Time Never Pauses" LIVE Promo

Onofrio Paciulli - Epoca (2014)

Onofrio Paciulli's second album has a particular scent, flavor. From the first seconds and the first notes it seems to retrace the streets of New York. A musical path that the pianist Onofrio Paciulli called “Epoca”, probably marking the moment in which the hands of his artistic creativity have reached a considerable maturity. The disc opens with "Believe" a relaxed, relaxed even eight, with modern but catchy harmonies and a memorable arrangement of winds that immediately give us proof of the stature of Onofrio Paciulli who, not only proves to be a pianist with an excellent and very personal style, but also a capable arranger, with a strong character and very clear ideas. It also makes use of excellent collaborators such as Rosario Giuliani who exhibits here a formidable solo on alto sax. "You Go to My Head", one of the few non-original songs on the album, winks at the most classic jazz, played with great skill also by Guido Di Leone's guitar who phrases with his typical melodic and harmonic awareness. With "Birth" Onofrio Paciulli lets the listener enter a recess of the soul; the music thus descends into the author's intimate, giving us the possibility to listen to the notes and the voice of the soul at the same time. "My Happiness" immediately brings us back to the heart of the big apple, showing off a highly articulated, effective and captivating theme and a tenacious straight bop rhythm magnificently supported by Francesco Angiuli on double bass and Daniele Scasciamacchia on drums. The other special guest, Fabrizio Bosso, unleashes a stroke of remarkable virtuosity with his trumpet solo, and then staged a very enjoyable moment of solo exchanges with Rosario Giuliani. "Epoca" is a ballad that surprises at every corner, crossing the paths of major and minor harmonies with the creative abilities of the mind and heart. Here another rhythm that often alternates with the previous one in the album, frescoes the compositional canvas with skillful soft brushstrokes: Dario Di Lecce on double bass and Fabio Delle Foglia on drums. A second standard, "You and the Night and the Music", sees Onofrio Paciulli boldly emerge in giving character to the solo aspect, intertwining with Guido di Leone's virtuous impromptuism. A 5/4 Latin is the setting for another beautiful original composition: "My Love and I", with a very elaborate theme, a very refined harmonic carpet and an interesting one with Afro reminiscences of the drummer Giovanni Scasciamacchia. The penultimate piece, “Enjoy”, original composition in 3/4 that recalls the grace and lightness of a fairy-tale and relaxed atmosphere, is a very cantabilissimo piece in which to recline comfortably and let yourself be carried away. The album closes with the "Old Devil Moon" standard, cleverly introduced by a rhythmic-harmonic obligate, "Epoca" therefore, marks the dizzying rise of Onofrio Paciulli in the Olympus of the great pianists as well as of the original and ingenious composers who can be counted in the Apulian panorama, through important space-time coordinates: this second album (a new 'era' in fact) of profound stylistic maturation and the breaking of the overseas boundaries that bring him closer to the greats of American jazz. ~ www.four-edition.com. 

Fo(u)r Edition, CD CO417, 2014
Recorded 22nd January & 3rd February, 2014 at Sorriso Studios, Bari, Italy 

Musicians:
Onofrio Paciulli - Piano, Arranger
Fabrizio Bosso - Trumpet (#1,4,7)
Rosario Giuliani - Alto Saxophone (#1,4,7)
Guido Di Leone - Guitar (#1,2,4-9)
Francesco Angiuli - Double Bass
Dario Di Lecce - Double Bass
Giovanni Scasciamacchia - Drums
Fabio Delle Foglie - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Believe {Onofrio Paciulli} (6:45)
2. You Go To My Head {J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie} (4:55)
3. Birth {Onofrio Paciulli} (4:54)
4. My Happiness {Onofrio Paciulli} (5:57)
5. Epoca {Onofrio Paciulli} (7:02)
6. You And The Night And The Music {Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz} (4:58)
7. My Love And I {David Raksin, Johnny Mercer} (5:42)
8. Enjoy {Onofrio Paciulli} (6:07)
9. Old Devil Moon {Burton Lane, E.Y. Harburg} (9:03) 

Total Time: 55:26 

Believe {Onofrio Paciulli}

Kunihiko Sugano, Isao Suzuki - Sincerely Yours (1980)

A sublime set of piano and bass duets from two Japanese jazz masters; pianist Kunihiko Sugano and bassist Isao Suzuki, originally released in 1980 on the legendary Paddle Records. These wonderful players set about to create a truly great exploration and interpretation of some of jazz's fine and enchanting jazz tunes of that era. The engineers at King Records have produced an excellent reissue of this masterpiece, the sound quality is so good, that it invites the listener to reappraise many a time, enjoy! 

Paddle Wheel; K28P-6012, 1980
Recorded 28th January, 1980 at King Record Studio #2, Tokyo, Japan 

Musicians:
Kunihiko Sugano - Piano, Synthesizer [Solina]
Isao Suzuki - Bass, Piccolo Bass, Synthesizer [Solina]

Tracks:
1. Mean To Me {Fred E. Ahlert, Roy Turk} (5:15)
2. The Midnight Sun Will Never Set {Cochran, Salvador, Jones} (8:07)
3. Moon River {Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer} (5:14)
4. Autumn In New York {Vernon Duke} (6:59)
5. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You {Bassman, Washington} (4:46)
6. The Very Thought Of You {Ray Noble} (3:19)
7. Goodbye {Gordon Jenkins} (4:10) 

Total Time: 37:50 

Credits:
Producer - Isao Suzuki, Motohiko Takawa
Recording, Mixing Engineer - Hatsuro Takanami
Assistant Engineer - Michio Mikami, Takao Suga
Mastering Engineer - Shogo Sakamaki
Photography - K. Abe
Liner Notes - Takao Ogawa 

The Midnight Sun Will Never Set