Cold Plunge Records artist: Technocats - TechnoCats: The Music of Gregg Hill - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, TechnoCats: The Music Of Gregg Hill, by TechnoCats and it's got a real nice feel. Opening with shuffle, Come On Down, the TechnoCats have a solid groove going with Michael J. Reed on drums, Xavier Davis on piano and Javier Enrique on bass. Nathan Borton on guitar sets off with a real nice guitar solo and Chris Glassman on bass trombone, lays out a real nice one as well. Enrique plucks a real nice bass line and gets a stretch to solo as well. Strong opener. After a nicely presented piano intro by Davis on I Want To Live, Glassman takes the lead on trombone, improvising around a strong melody. Davis rolls back in with inciteful piano lead over the solid bass line and soloing of Enrique and tight drumming of Reed. Very cool. Latin flavored, Rista! Rista! is a cool, up tempo track with a lively bass line, tight percussion, and excellent solos by Borton, Davis and Glassman. This is my favorite track on the release. Sunny Daze really has a nice groove with a pumping bass lime by Enrique and showcases Borton, Davis and Glassman exchanging high energy solos. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Thank You Notes a quiet ballad with a warm melody. With Borton and Glassman expressing the melody over the firm bass line of Enrique and Reed on drums and the Davis' complimentary piano work pulling the track together. Another flowing solo by Glassman rides the track to a warm conclusion. 

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Menges Music artist: Jon Menges - Spirit of 3, Spirit of 4 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Spirit of 3, Spirit of 4, by Jon Menges and it's a set of solid straight up jazz. The title refers to the make up of musicians on the 2 different sets presented on the release. Opening with Anchor In The Path, Jon Menges plays a muted trumpet intro setting the theme. Pete McCann on guitar takes the melody expanding it with great finesse, supported by Evan Gregor on bass. Menges circles back on trumpet with a firm solo of his own, and Gregor on bass delivers a really nice bass solo giving the track a full plate. Very nice. Sweet swing in 3/4, Tree of Hope is smooth with a super bass line by Gregor and fluid trumpet lead by Menges and active rhythm guitar work by McCann. McCann takes the lead with warm chords and full bass lines by Gregor. On Coqui, Menges doubles up with Nathan Childers on tenor sax who plays a really nice improvised melody. Taking the lead back, Menges on trumpet gets a real nice bop going, backed by Joe Fitzgerald on bass (who also steps up for a nice solo) and Robert Weiss on drums. Fitzgerald on bass and Weiss on drums set a real nice groove and Menges slides right in with one of the best, melodic solos on the release. Childers follows with a strong tenor solo of his own really adding to the track and a hot bass lead by Fitzgerald brings the track up to the close. Wrapping the release is driving, Somethin' with Menges setting the pace. Childers on tenor hits it hard with a chunky solo of his own and Fitzgerald and Weiss each lay in just the right amount of spice to make this a tight closer. 


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Denin Slage-Koch - It Comes In Waves - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, It Comes In Waves, from Denin Slage-Koch and its a nice blend of instrumental interpretations. Opening with title track, It Comes In Waves, Ryan Keberke on trombone, and Shane Endsley on trumped create a ccol blended intro. With Seth Lewis on bass and Bobby Wiens on drums, Denin Slage-Koch lays down a sumptuous melody on guitar followed by a knockout trombone solo by Keberle, floating on a bed of keys by Gavin Allen-Dunn. Very cool. On One For Honey, Slage-Koch kicks up the tempo with fluid finger work over Lewis and Wiens keeping a tight bottom and a fluid piano jaunt by Allen-Dunn really hits the spot. Continue really gets going with a driving rhythm by Lewis and Wiens. Endsley on trumpet and flugelhorn and Keberle on trombone set the stage and Slage-Kock solos aggressively over the rabid bass line of Lewis and Keberle adds some really nice trombone lines and Allen-Dunn's keyboard work is well formed and fluid making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. With a bluesy rock feel, Slage-Koch shows a totally different side on Signal Fires with a long, Gilmore inspired solo, pushed ever higher by Allen-Dunn's full load organ work and the bottom by Lewis and Wiens. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Quiet Year, an interesting track with Slage-Koch and Lewis each taking beautiful solos over a subtle background. This is a solid closer for an enjoyable release. 

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The 14 Jazz Orchestra - Islands - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Islands, by Dan Bonsanti and The 14 Jazz Orchestra and it's strong. Opening with Tyner's Man From Tanganyika, Peter Erskine on drums and Dennis Marks on bass set the pace. Ed Maina on flute (solo), and alto sax, Peter Brewer on tenor sax, flute and clarinet, Ed Calle on tenor sax (solo) and flutes, Mike Brignola on Bari sax, flutes and bass clarinet, set the melody and Mike Levine takes the first solo on piano. Brett Murphy, Jason Carder and John Lovell on trumpet and Dan Teboe, Dante Luciani (solo), Major Bailey (bass) and Dan Bonsanti (including tuba emulation) on trombone really swing. with excellent solos. Really nice opener. With plenty of punch, Corea's, Bud Powell, really excels with the front line of brass and Maina blows a great alto solo, Carder on trumpet and Levine on piano solo nicely as well, joined by Mike Harvey on drums, Lindsey Blair on guitar, and Jamie Ousley on bass. Levin original Carmencita has a great Latin rhythm fueled by Lee Levin on drums, Richard Bravo on percussion and Nicky Orta on bass. Ed Calle again really goes the extra mile on soprano sax supercharging the track and Levine's own piano so gives the track tremendous integral body. Excellent! Will Lee steps in on bass (solo) on Levin penned, Jaco. With a flowing melody and muted brass, Calle gets a nice opportunity to open up with a soulful tenor solo. Wrapping the release is Newman's, When She Loved Me, from Toy Story. Calle softy presents the melody on tenor sax and Mark Egan has a nice fretless bass solo, nicely complemented by Randy Bernsen on acoustic guitar. Nice closer for a really enjoyable release. 

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Solar Music artists: Michael Franklin / Timothy Franklin - Anahata - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Anahata, from Michael Franklin and Timothy Franklin and there's some cool music on this release. Opening with horn unfused, Shinkansen, Timothy Franklin lays down a relentless bass line and Michael Franklin on keys alternates with him taking turns on lead, all backed by the Tower of Power horns (Emilio Castillo on Alto sax, Stephen Kupka on bari sax, Adolfo Acosta on trumpet, Tom E Politer on tenor sax, Sal Cracchiolo on trumpet) Marc Clement Jr on drums and Steady Joseph on percussion. Excellent opener. Ave For Josephne has a strong melody featuring lead bass by Tim, Larry Coryell on acoustic guitar, Olga Kopakova on violin, Michael on grand piano and Paul Fluery on cello. Very nice. Maynardvishnu is an aggressive track with Blilly Cobham leading the way on drums. With Donnie Rogozinski really hammering the trumpet, and an excellent guitar solo by Tommy Carlton, this track will make you sit up and take notice. Strong solos by Danny Jordan on Tenor sax, Charlie DeChant on bari sax and of course powerful keys by Michael and Tim on bass, another exceptional track. Wrapping the release is Pavanne for Deborah Ann, a quiet stack with soft keyboard melody by Michael and lead bass by Tim. This track is really nicely done and a strong closer for a totally enjoyable release. 

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Michael Vincent - Electric Fox - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Electric Fox, by Michael Vincent and it's a cool, modern, edgy pop release. Opening with Together, Bay area, singer/songwriter Vincent crafts his lyrics and melodies supported by his band, U No Who. With Anthony Fulgar on drums, Scott Warren on lead guitar and David Mendoza on bass and harmony vocal, these guys rock. Solid harmonies with Mendoza and jangly guitar work by Warren give this track that indie feel. Kinda Like (Forever) is my favorite track on the release with it's almost Kinks like feel with loosely structured guitar work and a tight bottom by Fulgar. Wrapping the release is Travel with an up tempo beat. Vincent uses a call and response setup with Warren on guitar balancing his vocal lead. A firm bass line by Mendoza and excellent accent swats by Fulgar give the track a real kick. 

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7D Media artist: Jason Blake - Subsequent Ruins - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Subsequent Ruins, from Jason Blake and it's aggressive, stimulating and inventive. Opening with Obsolete Perception, a blend of prog, metal and fusion, it features Jason Blake on Warr guitar and Marco Minnemann on drums. With it's Fripp like lead guitar and over guitar with heavy distortion, driven by Minnemann with excellent drumming this track is electrifying. Follow (Emanated Hook), is another track with changing complex time signatures, Blake on guitar creates a cool, ambient background slowly morphing into a crisp guitar track. Very cool. False Streets of Entanglement follows in the KC prog footprints with excellent inciteful precision. I really like Minnemann's drum approach adding infinite depth to this work. Wrapping the release is A Bleak Outcome with it's more flowing feel and more commercial/rock sound. Blake and Minnemann maintain a slow burn on this one with a bit of synth in the mix. I really like this album and it's approach. Also, the artwork on the cover and in the liner notes by Hajo Muller is off the hook cool.

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J-Nett Music artist: Jae Sinnett's Zero To 60 Quartet - Commitment - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Commitment, from Jae Sinnett's Zero To 60 Quartet and it's strong. Opening with Takin' It There, this release comes alive with Randy Brecker upfront on trumpet, with Jae Sinnett really bringing it on drums. This track is vital with excellent sax work by Steve Wilson, Terry Burrell on bass and piano by Allen Farnham on piano. Excellent opener. Laying back in 3/4 time, Brecker lays out the beautiful melody of Simone, with a light and tight backing by Farnham and Sinnett. With Burrell keeping a firm hand on the groove, Farnham takes a nice very stretch on piano with Brecker closing the loop on trumpet. Very very nice. Muhammara's Dance is an excellent showcase for Sinnett with it's ultra funky drum work. Farnham further enhances the percussive nature of the track with a really cool piano interlude and Brecker's trumpet soloing really is strong. Excellent track. Wilson's sax interpretation of Bernard Ighner's Everything Must Change is really inciteful providing it a meaty thoughtfulness that I haven't heard on this track. Farnham continues with an introspective piano solo making this one of my favorites on the release.  Wrapping the release is De Saudade/Jobim No More Blues with it's infectious Latin rhythm. Burrell and Sinnett really get the action moving and Brecker takes the top with a bright trumpet lead. Countered by Farnham on piano he really takes the Latin spirit and keeps it rolling. This is a high spirited closer for a really strong release. 

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White Label Records artist: Marc Ciprut - Blue House - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blue House, from Marc Ciprut and it's really cool mix or rock, R&B and jazz. Opening with Roll It Out, Marc Ciprut on guitar leads the way, joined by Jeremy Manasia on Wurlitzer, Etienne Lytle on organ and Tommi Rautiainen on drums creating a soulful Al Green feel with fluid guitar lead. Nice opener. Shaggy has a contemporary funk feel with Jimmy Haslip on bass, and Jon Cowherd on Wurlitzer and organ. Using a wah pedal, Ciprut creates a really nice groove with Haslip, Coward and Rautiainen working a great weave. Wrapping the release is Kiss You Again with varying time shifts and Ciprut playing it straight with Rauianinen and  Lytle against Ciprut's own adverse bass line. Very cool closer for a solid release. 

 

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Nefer Music artist: Jeff Richman - XYZ - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, XYZ, from Jeff Richman and it's quite good. Opening with title track, XYZ, Jeff Richman on guitar is joined by top players, George Whitty on keys, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums and Jimmy Haslip on bass. With the incredible duo of Haslip and Colaiuta laying down a clean, funky rhythm, Richman weaves a lush flowing melody. Strong opener. On Optamystical, Richman slowly builds depth and breadth on a McLaughlin type guitar pattern paired with Whitty on keys not unlike Beck and Hammer, before breaking into a more melodic refrain with exceptional drum work underpinnings by Colaiuta. Excellent!  Left Right Here is low slung with a cool yet funky bass line and Richman laying down a smooth melody over Whitty's horn like keyboard work. Richman's lead lines are creative and flowing. With it's jagged rhythm underpinnings, Likewise, is another really nice track with Mitchell Formen on keys and with Colaiuta adding in off/add rhythm drumming that gives the track so much depth. I really do love his style. Wrapping the release is laid back, She's Got To Be Somewhere. Scott Kinsey on keys and Richman share the lead workcreate a nicely woven envelope of sound with excellent drum/ bass interplay by Haslip and Colaiuta. This is a really solid release with a boat load of cool, fusion style music. 

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Rhythm Royale Records artist: Towner Galaher Organ Trio - Live - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live, from Towner Galaher Organ Trio and I really like it. Opening with bluesy shuffle, One For McGriff has a great groove. Lonnie Gasperini lays down the bass line on organ with Galaher on drums and Marvin Horne leads the melody on guitar. Breaking loose is Gasperini on B3 and Galaher makes a real nice splash on drums for a solid opener. McDuff's Hot Barbecue with it's JB rhythm really is hot with a terrific exchange between Gasperini  and Horne. Excellent! Galaher opens Alligator Boogaloo with the funkiest of James Brown rhythms a drummer beats. With a solid bass line by Gasperini, Horne takes the first lead with smooth articulate guitar runs, leading to more warm B3 from Gasperini. Great groove. North Beach Blues has a terrific walking bass line driving Gasperini's B3 with a healthy solo. Quieting it down a bit, Horne takes a fleet fingered solo of his own making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. The release closes as it opens but with an alternate take on One For McGriff. This is a rich track with a lot of good feel and one that deserves a lot of wear. Excellent closer. 

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Dave Bass Music artist: Dave Bass - The Trio - Vol. 3 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Trio - Vol. 3 from Dave Bass and it's it's an aggressive piano jazz release. Opening with classic Sinatra tune, As Long As There's Music, Dave Bass on piano leads the way on melody with Kerry Kashiwagi with active double bass support and Scott Gordon on drums. The timing is changes giving the track new life with great interpretation. Solid opener. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Agenbite of Inwit with it's driving bass line by Kashiwagi and Bass' bopping piano lead. Barry Finnerty is featured on guitar and literally explodes with a blistering solo. Smoking. Armando Manzero's El Ciego (The Blind) is a terrific track with a terrific melody. Both Bass and Kashiwagi lay down beautiful lines making this track very special. John Carisi's jazz standard, Israel is really nicely covered, with articulate piano work by Bass with a nod to Paul Bley on interpretation. Kashiwagi's interaction with Gordon on drums really adds the heat on this track. Very nice. Astor Piazzolla is a long time favorite and Bass' take on his Libertango is special. Bass weaves the melody nicely on piano, maintaining the rhythm as he stretches the concept, reinforced by Kashiwagi and Gordon. Finnerty is back on lead guitar on this one and his Spanish articulation really works nicely. Wrapping the release is Another Ending, with it's Latin rhythm and crystal clear piano work balanced nicely with Finnerty on guitar. Kashiwagi takes a melodic bass solo on this one leading to a strong piano solo by Bass. Finnerty cooks up a terrific solo on guitar and with huge percussion work by Gordon, this takes on the flavor of Santana before easing into a Cuban like comfort. This really is a cool release and one to check out. 

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Kate Weekes - Better Days Ahead - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Better Days Ahead, from Kate Weekes, and it's really cool ride through folk, pop, and bluegrass music. Opening with Liminal Space, Kate Weekes on lead vocal and banjo really sets a buoyant pace backed by James Stephens on fiddle and bass, and Philip Shaw Bova on shakers. Strong ballad title track, Better Days Ahead has a really nice melody featuring Weekes clear vocals on lead and harmony vocals and Stephens on fiddle, harmonium and bass. Very nice. Empty Bottles is my choice for top radio track on the release with a strong melody and vocals, backed by Brian Sanderson on horns Rob Graves on percussion, Stephens on bass and guitar. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Time By The Moon, a very cool acoustic ballad with Weekes on banjo and vocal, Stephens on fiddle, bass and vocal. This is a very rich track and an excellent closer for an authentic rural American release. 

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Mismwo Music artist: Melvin Smith - Perseverance - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Perseverance, from Melvin Smith and it's a cool, laid back jazz exploration. Opening with Sound For Sore Ears, a Jimmy Heath composition, Melvin Smith on soprano sax sets the melody with Jeb Patton on piano, Corcoran Holt on bass and Jeremy Warren on drums. Smith's lead work is smooth and Patton's piano work is refined and invigorating. Solid opener. On traditional composition, Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child, Smith takes the lead on tenor sax and paints just enough melody to carry the theme with plenty of rhythm and just the right feel. Again Patton lays in a real nice piano solo giving the track just the right amount of contrast. I like the funky approach on Gettin' It with a hot bottom by Greg Lewis on organ and Warren on drums. Smith just lays in the groove and riffs away on tenor sax and Lewis takes a nice ride on organ giving the track a Jimmy Smith feel. Very nice. Title track, Perseverance is my favorite track on the release with emphatic enthusiasm from each of the contributors. Smith on tenor sax is ripping, Warren's drum work is impeccable, Holt really drives the bass and I love Patton's piano lines. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Bobby Watson's composition, Beatitudes with Smith taking a long fruitful, melodic ride on the base melody. Patton on piano really has a nice hand, further developing the melodic exploration and adding incredible breadth to the presentation. Warren on drums and Holt on bass make the composition much bigger than the four players for a solid closer. 

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Zugz Wang Bebop Records artist: Chris Keefe - Opening - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Opening, from Chris Keefe and it's solid. Opening with original track, Got A Chick?, Chris Keefe, on piano sets a cool bop rhythm/ melody, with a tight melodic bass line by Harvie S and light and tight drum work by Adam Nussbaum. Strong opener. Benny Golson's Along Came Betty is a great selection by Keefe who takes the lead on piano, first in classic fashion with a real nice bass solo by Harvie but transitioning with the lead of Nussbaum to a cool Latin beat. Very nice. Another self penned track, Chobim has a smoother Latin rhythm and a soulful bass lead by Harvie. Keefe's own melodic lead is nicely paced and poised. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Mercer's classic, Dream with it's bouncy melody. Nussbaum takes the front holding down the melody with strong interpretation by Keefe. His translation to bop form really gives this track new life. An inciteful bass lead by Harvie gives this track real wheels for my taste. Nice closer for a cool release. 

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Tuzu Kuru Records artist: Fuat Tuac - Immigrant - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Immigrant, from Fuat Tuac, and it brings both heavy influences from American and Brazilian jazz as well as eastern overtones. Opening with No Strings Attached, Fuat Tuac, Turkey born, Canadian singer conjures a poppy feel with a real nice trumpet overlays by Kevin Turcotte. Chex Moi features a vocal duet with Kim Richardson (in French) with Turcotte featured on trumpet, Eric West on drums, and Jordan O"Conner adding a real nice bass line. Very nice. I really like Aeroplane with it's distinctly Samba sound. Tuac's vocals float lightly on Eric St-Laurent's guitar rhythm and Turcotte's trumpet really sings. Another favorite on the release is La Rua Madureira showcasing Tuac's best vocals, again in French, a real nice bass solo by O'Connor, glistening guitar solo by St-Laurent and very nice overall balance on a nice melody. 

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David Larsen - The Peplowski Project - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Peplowski Project, from David Larsen and I really like it. Opening with Jerome Kern's All The Things You Are, David Larsen on Bari, Alto, Tenor and clarinet leads the way with rich tome and fluid lead lines. Joined by Ken Peplowski on clarinet this is getting steamy. Jake Svendsen on piano adds a lot of color and a terrific solo of his own, backed by Josh Skinner on bass and Brendan McMurphy on drums. Excellent opener. Bill Byers' Doodle Oodle is really smoking with super pace. Larsen and Peplowski start in duet but quickly break off into strong rich solos of their own. This is another really hot track. Walter Donaldson's Love Me Or Leave Me opens with Svendsen on piano leading quickly to featured work by Larsen on tenor and Peplowski on clarinet. With a solid shuffle rhythm Svendsen lays out a really tasty solo on piano. Larsen rips back with a healthy solo of his own on tenor before rejoining Peplowski for a summation. Another great track. Wrapping the release is Al Cohn's classic, Two Funky People. A boppy clarinet solo is up first followed by a cool bass solo by Skinner. A double timed stroll on piano by Svendsen adds just the right body before Larsen and Peplowski rejoin and close this release. This is a very tasty release. 

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