JazzTimes review for Orrin Evans “Freedom”…
jazztimes.com
Freedom contains a curious patchwork of styles—none of them, ironically, free. Pianist Orrin Evans and his trio (Dwayne Burno on bass, Byron Landham or Anwar Marshall on drums), plus tenor saxophonist Larry McKenna on two songs, tackle various aspects of mainstream jazz. For example, the complex postbop “One for Honor” precedes the riffy, Golson-esque “Gray’s Ferry,” wh ...Read More
Bruce Lindsay reviews Fowser/Gillece “DuoTone”…
www.allaboutjazz.com
The tenor and vibes partnership of Ken Fowser and Behn Gillece has already established its credentials as an imaginative and innovative creator of cool-swinging straight-ahead jazz. Duotone, the duo’s third album, reinforces those credentials with a fresh set of original tunes.
As with their previous Posi-Tone releases—Full View (2009) and Little Echo (2010)—Duot ...Read More
Britt Robson on Patrick Cornelius “Maybe Steps” for eMusic…
www.emusic.com
Maybe Steps
PATRICK CORNELIUS
09.09.11
Patrick Cornelius, Maybe Steps
LABEL: POSI-TONE RECORDS / IODA
PICK
...Read More
Lucid Culture reviews “DuoTone”…
http://lucidculture.wordpress.com/2011/10/21/ken-3/
Ken Fowser and Behn Gillece Chase Two in a Row
Saxophonist Ken Fowser and vibraphonist Behn Gillece’s previous album Little Echo was one of the best of 2010; how does their new one Duotone measure up? Where Little Echo was all gorgeous, often lurid Mad Men era ambience, this one’s got a more stripped-down, late night juke-joint flavor. T ...Read More
The Jazz Word on Kenny Shanker “Steppin’ Up”…
thejazzword.blogspot.com
Steppin’ Up is a powerhouse set of aggressive jazz from New York-based alto saxophonist Kenny Shanker. A commanding soloist who draws from a wide range of influence, Shanker moves easily from contemporary, modal-based ideas to full-throttle, energized swing on this debut release, recorded in 2009. His challenging compositions maintain a listener friendly appeal with ...Read More
ejazznews reviews Brent Canter “Urgency of Now”…
ejazznews.com
A testimonial from guitar legend Kenny Burrell in the album notes emphasizes that young guitarist Brent Canter’s ability to infuse strong melodies, the element of surprise, and outstanding technical faculties into his musicality becomes clearly evident on his debut album. In effect, Canter offers a many-sided view, featuring sympathetic support from venerable saxophonist Seamus Bla ...Read More
Dan Bilawsky reviews Patrick Cornelius “Maybe Steps”…
www.allaboutjazz.com
Fierce (Whirlwind, 2010) found alto saxophonist Patrick Cornelius in fine, feisty form, as he worked through his own winning compositions in a piano-less trio with occasional guests format, but he’s following a more reflective line of musical thought with a stellar quintet onMaybe Steps. This album is a mostly-original set of music with pensive pieces aplenty, and provi ...Read More
SomethingElse Reviews Nick Hempton “The Business”…
somethingelsereviews.com
Australian native alto sax practitioiner Nick Hempton is distingished by his smooth tone and direct delivery. The Business is distinguished by a few things, too. First of all, Hempton is joined by Art Hirahara, is in-demand session pianist who last spring delivered a solid album himself. Secondly, Hempton’s eight originals are all dulcet, deviating and resolutely swin ...Read More
Peter Hum reviews “more-altos-you-ought-to-know-about”…
blogs.ottawacitizen.com
Over at the office of Posi-Tone, the Los Angeles-based jazz label, 2011 is jokingly referred to as the “year of the altos.” Below are reviews of three discs that have helped define the year for the label. Not surprisingly, their similarities are not limited to the horn played by the leaders involved. As per the Posi-tone mandate, the CDs brim with modern mainstream ja ...Read More
ejazznews reviews Nick Hempton “The Business”….
ejazznews.com
Nick Hempton “The Business”
Oct 5th, 2011
By: Edward Blanco
Leading the Nick Hempton Band on their second album and first on the Posi-Tone label, saxophonist Hempton guides his able quintet through a selection of highly entertaining, hard-driving and solid swinging modern jazz tunes that’s all business. Whether on the tenor or alto saxophones, Hempton is equally steamy, smo ...Read More