21 Feb
Take Out by Hong Kong Dragon Club
Monday, 21 February 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
I urge jazz listeners to take a listen to this most unusual CD. The Hong Kong Dragon Club conducted by leader pianist/harmonica performer, David Packer, is excellent, combi…
21 Feb
Take Out by Hong Kong Dragon Club
Monday, 21 February 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
K.K Wong has created a beautiful tapestry of music on this recording. The slow mournful "Beautiful island" casts a soothing spell upon the listener invoking images of a nat…
19 Feb
Silent Voices by Jim Shannon
Saturday, 19 February 2000
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
I was reminded of the guitar artistry of the late Wes Montgomery while listening to Jim Shannon perform on his jazz and acoustic classical guitar. Jim Shannon is also a gif…
18 Feb
Nightshift by Gregg Karukas
Friday, 18 February 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
NIGHTSHIFT will be a welcome surprise for jazz listeners who have not heard the compositions and piano stylings of Gregg Karukas. This 11 selection CD is contemporary jazz …
17 Feb
Yes Please by Fourplay
Thursday, 17 February 2000
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
While delivering a new face in the mix with the assumption of the guitar seat by Larry Carlton, Fourplay's most recent project is consistent. What you've always come to exp…
13 Feb
Cause and Effect by Greg Bush Quintet
Sunday, 13 February 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
The name of Greg Bush will probably be new to most readers. Born in Montreal, Greg began his trumpet studies as a teenager and later moved to Calgary, Alberta playing freel…
10 Feb
Blues Liberations by Jim Ridl
Thursday, 10 February 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Once in a while a recording comes along that reminds reviewers that there are times when music should speak for itself. Or at least its creator should speak for it. Such is…
09 Feb
Center of the World by The Marcus / Moritz Quartet
Wednesday, 09 February 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
CENTER OF THE WORLD is 64:33 minutes of well-crafted and lyrical contemporary jazz which is bound to attract the attention of many jazz listeners in this debut CD from musi…
30 Jan
It's Morning by Mike Spinrad
Sunday, 30 January 2000
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Mike Spinrad's IT'S MORNING is a pleasurable, remarkable new CD release. It has a sense of melodic peacefulness about it that carries over into its lively feel of contempor…
23 Jan
In The Forefront by Bobby Lewis
Sunday, 23 January 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
IN THE FOREFRONT is a 2 CD set featuring the genius of composer-musician Bobby Lewis. The selections in this new release include music from two previously released LP album…
21 Jan
Motion Poetry by Mario Pavone and Michael Musillami
Friday, 21 January 2000
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Mario Pavone and Michael Musillami’s association has been lengthy, both together and apart with several different groups. Perhaps you will hear the kindred spirits express …
17 Jan
Two Against Nature by Steely Dan
Monday, 17 January 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Although not truly defined as a jazz group, Steely Dan’s music has always been just on the fringes of what we might call, for lack of a better term, "light jazz". Two certi…
15 Jan
Life In The Tropics by The Rippingtons
Saturday, 15 January 2000
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
In a flurry of creative venture and scheme, Russ Freeman and his "band of usual suspects" of acclaim (Kim Stone on bass, Ramon Yslas on percussion, Dave Hooper on drums and…
13 Jan
Live by Pat Metheny Trio
Thursday, 13 January 2000
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Since 1998, the contrast between Pat Metheny's releases has been dramatic, and has re-introduced Metheny's seemingly endless palette of sounds and settings to both his exis…
11 Jan
Everything for Love by Chuck Mangione
Tuesday, 11 January 2000
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Recorded at St. Peter's Church, Chelsea, NYC on May 8 -11, 2000, Chuck Mangione's EVERYTHING FOR LOVE is one of his finest recordings during his 30 years of recording excep…
10 Jan
My Father's House by Freddie Jones Jazz Group
Monday, 10 January 2000
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
On "Go Dissaway," the first thing to stand out was Greg Beck’s hard-kickin’ drums setting the pace for Jones and company to jam fiercely. While it’s certainly a new-groove,…
10 Jan
Urban Groove by Marcus Johnson
Monday, 10 January 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Pavilion is like a big welcome to Johnson’s musical world as he takes you by the "ear." A whole room of talented comrades jam along as if to smile warmly to the arriving gu…
08 Jan
Red Heat by Jimmy Haslip
Saturday, 08 January 2000
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
RED HEAT is Jimmy Haslip's Latin jazz masterpiece, and a tribute to his late father who introduced him to the music of Latin America. Jimmy Haslip has had an enduring affec…
05 Jan
Small Steps by Larry McDonough
Wednesday, 05 January 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Larry McDonough is an original much in the tradition of Dave Brubeck, and McDonough's piano stylings are intimate and innovative. There is a touch of humor blended within t…
02 Jan
Out of the Way by Roy Dunlap Group
Sunday, 02 January 2000
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
With tunes like "Off the Grid (Part I), "On The Horizon," "Libra," & "Gently Passing," one gets the impression, they are off on some trip to somewhere exotic and known only…
31 Dec
The Flame Within The Fire by Scott Hesse
Friday, 31 December 1999
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Jazz guitarist Scott Hesse has put together a fresh and innovative contemporary jazz collection in his new CD release, THE FLAME WITHIN THE FIRE. The CD contains 8 selectio…
23 Sep
Joy Ride by Bob James
Thursday, 23 September 1999
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
This is a flavorful CD with lots of great music. It has splashes of great melodic music, funky tasteful tunes and vocals from the great Jonathan Butler. I recommend this CD…
22 Sep
Footprints Of Your Life by Bill Collins
Wednesday, 22 September 1999
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Some time ago on your site I read a review of the "Footprints Of Your Life". The singer/writer Bill Collins was unknown to me at the time. I made an effort to listen…
16 Sep
Smooth Africa by Various Artists
Thursday, 16 September 1999
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Heads Up president Dave Love made it a personal mission to bring the music of Africa home to America in a project called "Smooth Africa". The lineup on this disc includes t…
14 Aug
Los Hombres Calientes by Los Hombres Calientes
Saturday, 14 August 1999
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
This review might be somewhat biased because my son works for the record label Basin Street Records on which the album was produced. Los Hombres Calientes features Jason Ma…
12 Aug
Amphora by Mark Kleinhaut
Thursday, 12 August 1999
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Stretching out is what Amphora is all about. A loose and comfortable session, Kleinhaut is in good company. There are many highlights to this recording that are…
11 Aug
Lines and Ballads by Matt Renzi Jimmy Weinstein and Masa Kamaguchi
Wednesday, 11 August 1999
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
A co-leadership trio consisting of tenorist Matt Renzi, pluri-timber drummer Jimmy Weinstein and the fresh bass-line of Masa amaguchi. This group featu…
08 Aug
Un Poco Loco by Bobby Hutcherson
Sunday, 08 August 1999
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
The late 1970s and early 1980s were a problematic time for jazz recordings, particularly those released on the so-called major labels. The Fusion steamroller was still flat…
04 Aug
Up from the Roots by Chuk Fowler and Higher Energy
Wednesday, 04 August 1999
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
For a lively, enjoyable musical outing, take a listen to keyboardist Chuk Fowler and his group, Higher Energy, in their innovative CD release, UP FROM THE ROOTS. The CD fea…
03 Aug
I've Traveled so far by Tim Lyddon Trio
Tuesday, 03 August 1999
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Pianist Tim Lyddon is a major voice on jazz piano and I've Traveled So Far is simply one of the most delightful piano trio sets of the past few years. The New York-…
Tino Derado has accomplished much with this new CD. Joined by some very talented and serious musicians, this marks the spot of something special. Aguacero ("thin, tropic…
30 Jul
Miami Suite by Christopher Jentsch
Friday, 30 July 1999
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Miami Suite is a feast for the listener who likes contemporary jazz! Totally unique, with all lyrics, compositions and arrangements by Christopher Jentsch. On all tracks ex…
Kit Walker's latest CD release, "Freehouse," is a lively, imaginative blend of contemporary jazz and world music. A great talent on keyboards, Kit Walker is also a very ima…
29 Jul
The Blue Room by Mark Peterson
Thursday, 29 July 1999
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Mark Peterson and his group of musicians bring a fresh approach to contemporary jazz, each performer joining in to help create a whole picture of some fine music! Mark Pete…
26 Jul
Sounds Like Rain by Chris Conway
Monday, 26 July 1999
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Sounds Like Rain is a CD that grows on you with its blend of contemporary jazz sounds of the US West Coast alongside Celtic folk roots and world music influences. A 15 sele…
26 Jul
Smooth Africa by Various Artists
Monday, 26 July 1999
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Smooth Africa is an entertaining, perfectly enjoyable CD that brings many wonderful talented and gifted performers to the jazz listeners, and it is a CD that is fresh in co…
If "Freehouse is where we live," may we live forever in Kit's House! This CD gets better the more I listen to it. Full of fresh cutting edge rhytmically jamming arraignment…
22 Jul
Turn Up The Gas by Lonnie Gasperini
Thursday, 22 July 1999
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
TURN UP THE GAS is an unusually good organ jazz release, featuring the gifted Lonnie Gasperini on Hammond organ. Gasperini contributes some compositions to the CD, and the …
This Cheshire cat (sorry, couldn't resist) is, for me, a pinnacle of uncommonness: a "mainstream" jazz guitarist that doesn't bore the crap out of me. True, I can appreciat…
20 Jul
The Rise & Fall Of The Third Stream by Joe Zawinul
Tuesday, 20 July 1999
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Long before he set the jazz world - and beyond - on its collective ear with the legendary fusion band Weather Report, Joe Zawinul was featured as pianist and composer for C…
19 Jul
Jungle by Ballin' The Jack (Matt Darriau Septet)
Monday, 19 July 1999
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
This 11 selection CD is a delight to play! The musicians are top-notch, and the jazz swings very well indeed! These are old classics in the 1930s jazz era modernized with a…
18 Jul
Drum & Tenor by Jeroen Elfferich and Wim Ninaber
Sunday, 18 July 1999
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
This is the first CD by one of Holland's finest jazz duos. Unknown in the United States, this CD should bring them some new jazz listeners from all areas! Jazz standards ar…
Odean Pope shines on this CD of 8 selections, which include " Me and You," "Speaking to the Clouds," "EBIOTO," "You Remind Me." Odean Pope on saxophone, Tyrone Brown on upr…
17 Jul
Used Record Pile by Camper Van Chadbourne
Saturday, 17 July 1999
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Used Record Pile is a collaboration collection of Eugene Chadbourne and Camper Van Beethoven from 1987 - 1991. It contains some unusual music and will appeal to those jazz …
17 Jul
Reflect by Curtis Fowlkes and Catfish Corner
Saturday, 17 July 1999
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Co-produced by Ted Cruz and Curtis Fowlkes, this is one lively jazz CD and sure to please the many listeners of both musicians. Curtis Fowlkes is an internationally-known j…
15 Jul
The Crossing by Tom Taylor
Thursday, 15 July 1999
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
This CD takes the listener by surprise. It is certainly "New Music" but cannot be further defined within that category. Careful listening reveals threads of pop, bluegrass …
15 Jul
They Cant Take That Away From Me by John Sheridan
Thursday, 15 July 1999
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
It's traditional jazz time again folks. John Sheridan has just released a solo piano session on Arbors Records. The first track illustrates John's warmth with "They Can't T…
14 Jul
Unicycle Man by Ted Piltzecker
Wednesday, 14 July 1999
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Here's a fine vibraphonist formerly with George Shearing coupled with four other wonderful improvisors. The quintet includes Bob Mintzer of the Yellowjackets on sax, James …
Here's another winner in the contemporary and straight-ahead jazz genres. Saxophonist Larry Carlton and his band scores with their first solo, dynamic and masterfully compo…
12 Jul
One Bright Morning by Tony Quarrington
Monday, 12 July 1999
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
ONE BRIGHT MORNING showcases the talents of guitarist-composer Tony Quarrington in this excellent collection of 8 selections. In addition to his own musical compositions, t…