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By George W. Harris
Mario Adnet
Jobim Jazz
Adventure Music
Celebrating Jobim's 80th birthday, guitarist Mario Adnet assembles together some of Brazil's best musicians and puts together some brassy arrangements of popular and obscure songs from the master of bossa nova. Similar in feel and texture to classic Jobim albums like "Tide" and "Wave", this disc features warm trombone work from Vittor Santos (as on "Domingo Sincopado") and feathery flute work from Andrea Dias and Marcelo Martins ("Surfboard). Nailor Proveta's woody clarinet is marvelously featured on the lilting "Rancho nas Nuvens". All throughout the disc, Adnet’s guitar work is sensitive, buoyant and joyful. Master guitarist Romero Lubambo's solo on "Frevo de Orfeu" weaves between woodwinds and brass like a butterfly. This is music to imbibe after a stressful day: let this lovely music assuage all your cares.
*
The Afro-Semitic Experience
Plea For Peace
Reckless Music
If the name of THIS group doesn't get your attention, nothing will! Bassist and leader David Chevan has put together a collection of musicians of different races and creeds to create a musical plea to man and God for peace. Using songs and rhythms from Jewish Klezmer and Christian Spirituals, The ASE creates an intriguing and attractive mix of music and moods that will grab the heart of any pilgrim looking for the truth. The brilliance in the music (as well as the concept itself) lays in combining the various grooves from each culture. For example, the traditional spiritual "I'm On My Way to Canaan Land" is given an extra kick with the underlaying Middle Eastern beat mixing with the Mahalia Jackson snap. Likewise, the Jewish traditional "Reb Dovidl's Nigun" is given a bit of Latin seasoning that brings just the right amount of extra zest to the recipe. Will Bartlett is able to switch from wailing tenor sax to snake charming clarinet squeals at the drop of a beat. This band makes the best musical evidence for God's statement "Oh how good it is, when all men live as brothers."
*
Michel Camilo
Spirit of the Moment |
Telarc
So what do you do after putting out a solo disc, followed by a full orchestral recording of "Rhapsody in Blue"? Pianist Michel Camilo splits the difference and puts out a hard hitting trio release with "Spirit of the Moment." With longtime drummer Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez departing, Dafnis Prieto had large zapatos to fill, yet does so admirably. He works with bassist Charles Flores to put together an air-tight trio on torrid Latinized pieces like "Giant Steps" and delicate ballads such as ""My Secret Place." Camilo and company also take Shorter's "Nefertiti" and his own "Repercussions" to their emotional limits, leaving the listener gasping for oxygen. "Just Now" finds the band creating a balmy Caribbean mood, while "Nardis" and "Solar" give a Latinized tribute to Miles Davis. This is an energized working trio, performed with an intensity that only Camilo is capable of producing.
*
The Catz in the Hatz
Resilience
Rhombus Records
No, this band does not play "Green Eggs N Ham." But, this quintet's mix of Sinatra attitude with Blues Brothers irreverence is as beguiling as it is irresistible. Vocalist Steve Johnson is the centerpiece of this mainstream yet tongue in cheek group of musicians that are as comfortable grooving through "Killer Joe" as they are delivering a bel canto version of "It Was A Very Good Year." Not many bands can get away with opening a disc with a grooving version of "Nature Boy" and closing the set with Beethoveen's "Fur Elise," but these guys have a no holds barred attitude towards music. Johnson's baritone mixes kitch with cool, as on "Lucky So and So" and "Angel Eyes." The entire band feels in sync and in the pocket. The vibe on this disc begs to have the listener take them in concert, as the jive is flowing freely from this fun release.
*
Janice Friedman Trio
Swingin' for the Ride
Janika Music
Usually known strictly for her piano chops, Ms. Friedman has thrown her ring into the vocalist hat and has put out a surprisingly successful disc. With her voice akin to a female Mose Allison, Friedman saunters through a streetwise title song and snappy "You 'n' Me." Her takes on standards like "Summertime" and "Meditation" are quite clever and iconoclastic. Her own originals show depth and perception. "The 'I Do' Song" is as clever as anything Dave Frishberg could have composed. As usual, Friedman's piano work features clarity and alacrity, and her supporting rhythm masters are completely in sync with this talented artist. Friedman makes it hip to be hep on this vocal debut.
*
Jeff Lorber
He Had A Hat
Narada Jazz
I know, I know. It's really easy to never forgive keyboardist Jeff Lorber for the simple act of hiring Kenny G and setting him on his path of musical ennui. This disc shows that he has repented of his sins. Besides, he never really jumped onto the "smooth" jazz label; he's the one who really pioneered the "Contemporary Adult Music" label before it morphed into you-know-what jazz. This disc, which includes some of the best session musicians, as well as Russell Malone, Tom Scott and Chris Botti, includes some real swinging and driving music, as well as accessible jazz with well arranged horn work. "Surreptitious" , with Randy Brecker's warm trumpet work and Dave Weckl's drums, blends with the Blood Sweat and Tears horn section for some hard driving fusion. "All Most Blues" has some hard bop rhythm work with inspiring alto work by Tom Scott. Russell Malone warms his chops with bassist Alex Al on the snappy "Burn Brightly." All throughout the ear-friendly disc, Lorber's keyboard work is contemporary and energetic. It's encouraging to hear a friendly name from the past is still able to deliver the goods.
*
Andy Narell
Tatoom
Heads Up
Andy Narell is to the steel horn as Jimmy Smith was to the Hammond B3-a pioneer who took the instrument out of the basement, and put it into the jazz mainstream. On this latest release, Narell kicked the challenge up a notch by overdubbing various steel drums to create the essence of a "Steel Orchestra". The daunting and ambitious project comes off stunningly well. The music is brisk and fresh. The aural experience of the steel drums mixed with regular percussion instruments is a feast for the ears. "Izo's Mood" and the title track are sonic splendors, and contain mountains of joy. "Baby Steps" and "Blue Mazooka" have the added treat of Mike Stern's guitar weaving in and out of the percussive volcano. Tenor saxist David Sanchez floats and flutters over the lovely percolating rhythm provided by percussionist Luis Conte on "Tabanca". Music this visceral is so gratifying that it is easy to overlook the incredible musicianship on this deceptively sophisticated disc. It can be enjoyed for multiple listenings before you realized the complexity and dexterity that is required for such intricate music. That is the paradox of great art: the difficult can look so easy.
*
Benny Reid
Findings
Concord Records
Concord has been aggressively looking for new young talent. Last year's findings of Taylor Eigsti, Erin Boheme and Christian Scott were quite pleasant surprises. This new discovery, altoist Benny Reid, has put out an unbelievably mature and impressive debut CD, complete with very strong self-penned compositions in which to spotlight his chops. His songs have a catchy reminiscence of Pat Metheny, but also an eerie ambitious resemblance to Kenny Garrett's "Beyond The Wall." Dramatic landscape sweeps, sentimental overtures and rhapsodic interludes are found in abundance on this sophisticated yet accessible work.
Reid's warm alto is well suited to these sentimental compostions that were dedicated to his sister, who died at the tender age of 13. Each song has a tender and reflective aspect, like the pastoral ""Transient Melody" which also features Jeff Taylor's gentle wordless vocals a la Richard Bona, mixed with some inspiring guitar work by Richard Padron. Pianist Aaron Goldberg takes time away from his solo work and employment with Kurt Rosenwinkle to provide some sensitive support and soloing on "Findings: A Quest For Peace" as well as the driving "Dancing With My Father", which also has Reid and the rhythm section charging on all 6 cylinders. Look for this CD, and for this artist when he comes to town. He's going places!
*
Tierney Sutton Band
On The Other Side
Telarc
If vocalist Tierney Sutton's 06 in concert release "I'm With The Band" got a nomination for a Grammy, this latest one should win a Gold Medal. Filled with deep-felt emotion, mixed with pensive longing and reflection, it stands head and shoulders above any mainstream vocal release in memory. Taking songs based on the concept of "happiness", Sutton and her richly supportive explore the deep melancholy that initiates the desire for inner peace and joy. Taking songs like "You Are My Sunshine", putting them into a pensive minor key, and adding second bassist Kevin Axt to the mix take the music to a deeper level than most singers would be afraid to wander. Two versions of "Get Happy" are performed, both focusing on the hope of a future judgment that will relieve the present darkness.
The entire disc has the musicians reaching for sounds and moods that would intimidate lesser souls. "Haunted Heart" is given a definitively yearning treatment here, and Chaplin's "Smile" confronts the Depression era head on; instead of using the song to think about better times ahead, Sutton and company acknowledge the current despair. Trumpeter/vocalist Jack Sheldon adds his West Coast cool trumpet to perfection on "Glad to Be Unhappy", and is a perfect foil for Sutton as he rapports with her on the sweet "I Want to Be Happy". His voiced, aged over the years, is stunningly similar to Joe Williams in tone and pitch.
It has always been my contention that a band changes focus and direction after putting out a "live" disc. This latest release shows that their live release definitively closed an old door, and is walking forward onto a path rarely traveled. Listen to and reflect upon this important new release.
*
Joe Zawinul
Brown Street
Heads Up
Recorded in concert at "Joe Zawinul's Birdland" in Vienna back in October 05, "Brown Street" features the famed founder of Weather Report leading a big band through a rousing 2 cd collection of world and weathered music. Leading along with WR alumni Victor Bailey (bass) and Alex Acuna (percussion), Zawinul is audibly inspired as he charges with full throttle on fresh versions of "Black Market" and "Boogie Woogie Waltz". The added orchestration actually gives these songs an added touch of flexibility. They seem to give breath to the sounds that were normally occupied by synthesizers and keyboards. Altoist Heiner Wiberny gives soaring solos on "A Remark You Made" and "Carnavalito". John Marshal's trumpet is wonderfully moody on "In A Silent Way", which sounds much fresher than the groundbreaking original from almost 40 years ago. All throughout the concert, Baily and Acuna are driving the band to it's exhaustive limits. The music, much of it over three decades old, has aged well, and in fact makes most of today's stuff seem tame in comparison.
