Marc Myers goes “Top Shelf”…
www.jazzwax.com
In most cases these days, the best new jazz albums sound terrific from their opening notes. I audit about 15 new CDs daily and, in nearly every case, the most inspiring ones are exciting from the get-go. That’s largely because better musicians and their producers know that in today’s world of digital distractions, you have to come out of the gate with your best stuff. ...Read More
JazzWrap on David Weiss “Venture Inward”…
jazzwrap.blogspot.com
Venture Inward is an interesting third outing from David Weiss’ quintet, Point of Departure. Technically, in recording order, this would actually be the first Point of Departure album. The album features the studio versions of tracks that would later be performed on the live albums, Snuck In and Snuck Out. It’s still a solid release that is worth every bit of ...Read More
Dan Bilawsky reviews Fowser/Gillece “Top Shelf”…
www.allaboutjazz.com
The team of tenor saxophonist Ken Fowser and vibraphonist Behn Gillece has been steadily releasing music of a similar nature on the Posi-Tone label since its 2009 debut, Full View, hit the shelves. With this, the duo’s fourth album, Fowser and Gillece continue along the same path with nary a stylistic sharp turn, yet this one manages to stand out because of one import ...Read More
Richard Kamins reviews Noah Haidu “Momentum”…
steptempest.blogspot.com
Pianist/composer Noah Haiduis a wonderfully talented pianist whose debut CD on Posi-Tone Records, “Slipstream“, featured a quintet with Jon Irabagon (saxophone) and Jeremy Pelt (trumpet). His sophomore effort for the label is aptly titled “Momentum” and finds Haidu leading a trio of bassist Ariel de la Portilla and drummer McClenty Hunter ...Read More
AAJ’s Glenn Astarita writes up Sean Nowell “The Kung-Fu Masters”…
www.allaboutjazz.com
Track review of “Mantis Style”
New York City-based saxophonist Sean Nowell has found a home with the increasingly prominent West Coast modern jazz record label, Posi-Tone Records. His fourth release highlights the turbo-powered acoustic-electric band, The Kung-Fu Masters. Word has it that the ensemble has been creating a buzz in The Big Apple, and in recent ti ...Read More
Steve Greenlee reviews David Weiss “Venture Inward” for JazzTimes…
jazztimes.com
Let’s call bunk on the claim that jazz should always find new things to say. Venture Inward, the new platter from trumpeter David Weiss and his quintet Point of Departure, is steeped in 1960s postbop—specifically that of Miles Davis—and it would be futile to argue that it is anything but jazz of the highest order.
Following his two outstanding live albums, Snuck In and ...Read More
CD Hotlist recommends Ehud Asherie “Lower East Side”…
http://cdhotlist.com
Joined by tenor saxophonist Harry Allen (who is himself one of the top players of straight-ahead jazz and swing currently working), pianist Ehud Asherie romps his way through a wonderful set of American Songbook standards, referring back to stride, bop, and swing traditions and making you hear familiar fare like “S’posin’,” “When I Grow Too Old to Dream,” and “Th ...Read More
The Jazz Word on Noah Haidu “Momentum”…
thejazzword.blogspot.com
Momentum is a strong trio recording featuring pianist Noah Haidu’s original tunes as well as a few choice covers. Haidu leads bassist Ariel de la Portilla and drummer McClenty Hunter with a strong, swinging conviction, aided by an imaginative approach and ample chops. From the familiar bounce of “I Thought About You” to a raucous take on “The End of ...Read More
Brent Black reviews Fowser/Gillece “Top Shelf”…
www.criticaljazz.com
Roughly 27 years ago Stan Getz made one of the finest duet recordings on the Blue Note label with pianist label. Now the aptly titled Top Shelf picks up where Poetry left off. Granted this release is a sextet with attitude but Fowser and Gillece and the modern jazz evolution of tenor saxophone and vibraphone. Michael Dease sits in on trombone and pushes the front line to the n ...Read More
An interview with trombonist Steve Davis…
blogs.citypages.com
Contemporary jazz great Slide Hampton proclaimed, “we trombonists are problem solvers.” Yet for all the back-boning trombones provide, even the most famous ones — J.J. Johnson, Frank Rosolino, Al Grey or Curtis Fuller — aren’t household names like adored trumpeters or saxophonists. One such “problem solver” has long since made a name fo ...Read More