OK, this really isn’t film music but I didn’t figure that Dave Rivello would mind me namechecking Lalo Schifrin in his review.
This track really does tell a story, and Rivello’s wonderful big-ish band cranks it out. Reminds me a little of Boston’s Either Orchestra.
Follow the link to read my review of Beyond The Fall.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s more fun, listening to a piece of music or writing about it. With Eric Vloeimans, the answer might be ‘both’. Plus, is that a cool song title or what?!
Follow the link to read my review of March of the Carpenter Ants.
I tend to refer to Barrett Martin as a “musical polymath” because while his footprint is a recognizable one, the music he’s helped to create over the years is quite diverse. His new recording Zenga was released this week as is worth seeking out if you’re interested in stretching your own sonic pallette.
Follow the link to read my review of the track Shapeshifter.
What do Mahalia Jackson, bassist Michael Olatuja, and my back porch have in common?
Found out by reading this review of Michael and Alicia Olatuja’s fine take on the gospel classic Walk With Me.
There’s a danger in bringing together jazz and ‘funk’. You know it, I know it, we all know it…and it all boils down to two words: smooth jazz. Notice the quotes around the word ‘funk’? That’s because smooth jazz that trys to funk usually fails.
Greg Gelb does not fail. He also doesn’t make smooth jazz.
So check out Gelb’s Funk It!
Rashied Ali has played on some of my favorite jazz records. He’s also played on some records that can clear the room in 5 seconds flat. The intersection between the two is pretty large but hey, some people just can’t take it when musicians bring the noise.
This is Ali and his quintet taking on the James Blood Ulmer classic Theme For Captain Black.
I get a ton of CDs from jazz vocalists. Many of them are nice variations on the Diana Krall kind of thing. Thankfully, there are enough subtleties in the human voice to make a lot of the records interesting. Still, the majority of the albums take their source material from the jazz vocals canon.
But then there is Ayelet Rose Gottlieb. I totally fell in love with Upto Here| From Here. Here’s my review of her sultry composition that uses the words of poet Rumi: Some Kiss.
I’m playing catchup here a little, as the middle of July was very busy with visits from afar, a wedding in the family, and other fun and time-consuming stuff. Here’s what I managed to send out to jazz.com.
Note that most folks wouldn’t consider The Low Anthem to be jazz, but I’ll take any opportunity to trumpet their greatness. We also have a slightly naughty female jazz singer, a song ‘inspired’ by the stomach flu, and a cool take on a classic rock song.
Check ‘em out:
The Low Anthem - Music Box
Faith Gibson - Be A Man, Baby
JDT - Gastrophysics
Elli Fordyce - Where Am I Going?
Mark Lambert - Sunshine Of Your Love
There’s a lot of diverse sounds between these three entries. First we have a very unusual jazz group based on two electric guitars. Then we switch back to the more organic sonics of a piano duo…with a twist. Lastly, Andrew Green brings back memories of one of Martin Scorsese’s best films.
Check ‘em out:
Jerry Granelli V16 - Murder Ballad
Andy Milne & Benoit Delbecq - Divide Comedy
Andrew Green - Narrow Margin/Taxi Driver
I’m always sort of amazed when I listen to a guy singing jazz and I actually like it. It’s just one of those things. The male voice singing jazz doesn’t usually resonate with me. What’s more, add in a little Broadway-style influence and you would think there would be nothing there for me.
Sometimes, I’m just plain wrong. I really enjoyed listening to Ron Mitchell and his take on the classic “Smile”.
Check him out:
Ron Mitchell - Smile
