Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category
Another positive review for Jared Gold “Out of Line”…
www.criticaljazz.com
With the musical irony for this tenor player being nothing hits my musical sweet spot harder than a B3, Jared Gold is the epitome of the groove, swing and spontaneity that is a top flight organ ensemble while developing his own style. Gold is a B3 visionary with one foot in tradition and the other foot pushing the groove as far and as tight as possible while never tripping tha ...Read More
Brent Black runs down Jim Rotondi “Blues for Brother Ray”…
www.criticaljazz.com
About a year ago I reviewed a tribute to Ray Charles that was a train wreck from the start. The focus of the release was placed squarely on the arrangements with the complete presentation of the tune best described as some sort of sonic after thought.
Consider this the flip side.
There is a more laid back feel to this release then one would normally expect. Those familiar w ...Read More
A stellar review for Art Hirahara “Noble Path”…
www.criticaljazz.com
The one that got away for 2011?
Art Hirahars began turning heads with his work on saxophonist Fred Ho’s more out of the box releases, but Hirahara’s voicing on Noble Path are a mirror image of this aptly titled release from Posi-Tone. While occasionally pushing the musical envelope as fitting the composition there is an intimate charm to this release featuring e ...Read More
A fresh take on Dan Pratt “Toe The Line”…
http://www.criticaljazz.com/2012/05/dan-pratt-toe-line-posi-tone-2010.html
To toe the line implies a strict adherence to follow the rules. So right away the title is certainly a contradiction in terms but the end result is a remarkable organ quartet that while maintaining that special soulful groove never forgets the lyrical straight ahead sense of urgency with the finished product being a smoker! ...Read More
Brent Black digs into Sean Nowell “The Seeker”…
www.criticaljazz.com
I have to admit that I am somewhat late to the party when it comes to tenor saxophonist Sean Nowell. Perhaps my hesitancy in exploring his work was based in part to what would appear to be his approach to the more hard bop as that of a musical chameleon. Nowell somehow magically and often mysteriously merges his roots in funk and post bop to create his own lyrical voice with t ...Read More
A new review for Jared Gold “Supersonic”…
www.criticaljazz.com
Any critic or as I prefer to call myself a “jazz advocate” that does not have or claim definitive favorites is simply playing fast and loose with the musical truth. The 2009 release Supersonic marks Jared Gold stepping out as a leader and this funk infused gem features guitarist Ed Cherry and one of the most underrated drummers around in McClenty Hunter. This is ...Read More
Another stellar review for Ralph Bowen “Power Play”…
www.criticaljazz.com
Hard to believe Ralph Bowen has been at this for roughly twenty five years and continues to fly just under the radar of some folks. First gaining attention as part of the new young lions of jazz, Bowen may be the last man standing when it comes to consistency of performance as well as a gifted composer. Unlike so many of his contemporaries from the mid 1980’s th ...Read More
Brent Black reviews Noah Haidu “Slipstream”…
www.criticaljazz.com
Another captivating release they may have slipped past you from 2011 would have to beSlipstream from accomplished pianist Noah Haidu. Some may recognize Haidu’s name from the jazz collective Native Soul while for a great many Haidu is a relatively new discovery in the modern jazz meets hard bop discovery that Posi-Tone has built their stellar reputation on. A precis ...Read More
An interesting analysis of Ralph Bowen “Dedicated”…
www.criticaljazz.com
I enjoy examining the output and development of a label as much as an artist so on occasion I will go “Back To The Future” as I have done with this exceptional 2009 release from Ralph Bowen. A highly personal release as the passing of a close friend and mentor left Bowen feeling the need for a musical thank you note or acknowledgement to those that have made a la ...Read More
A nice write-up for Ehud Asherie “Modern Life”…
www.criticaljazz.com
Ehud Asherie is one of a handful of brilliant young artists on the vibrant New York scene that simply does not get the recognition he deserves. Asherie has paired with tenor giant Harry Allen on more than one occasion and the results are consistently stunning. Modern Life is the straight ahead Back To The Future Of Jazz. While Asherie does contribute two stellar original c ...Read More