Jazz Recommendations – 2015 Releases

Mar 7 2015

Recommended: Marike van Dijk – “The Stereography Project”

 

Marike van Dijk - "The Stereography Project"On her newest, composer and saxophonist Marike van Dijk offers up another excellent example of the way in which modern jazz and contemporary classical musics can form the most compelling bonds.  The Stereography Project projects a simple beauty though constructed from a complex system of crisply moving sections.

The statuesque loveliness of “Jean Jacques” calls strongly upon its classical roots whereas the bubbling exuberance of “Christmas” has got all the heart and soul of straight-ahead jazz tune, and “22e (to everyone I miss)” cuts it straight down the middle.  It speaks strongly to the commitment to both music forms that these connective tracks help form a sense of cohesion rather than fracture it.

Furthermore, compositions that transcend both genres for expressions not so easily categorized (“I Am Not a Robot” and the finale “Walsje”) allow for individual traits to coalesce into a distinct, singular personality.  This applies, as well, to the rendition of “She’s Leaving Home,” where van Dijk’s ensemble dives into the sweeping elegance only hinted at by the Beatles original.

But perhaps the best moments are represented on a track such as “322423,” where thick, warm harmonies of strings share the same home with a bit of edgy saxophone heat, bringing together the two primary influences into the same expression, and causing them to sound not so different in the first place.

A gorgeous album that strongly engages.

Your album personnel:  Marike van Dijk (soprano & alto saxes, compositions), Dan Pratt (conductor), Ben van Gelder (bass clarinet, alto sax), Lucas Pino (clarinet, tenor sax), Anna Webber (flute, tenor sax), Alan Ferber (trombone), Sita Chay (violin), Elinor Speirs (violin), Eric Lemmon (viola), Amanda Gookin (cello), Manuel Schmiedel (piano), Rick Rosato (bass), Mark Schilders (drums) and guests:  Ruben Samama, Defne Sahin (vocals).

Released on Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records.

Jazz from the Brooklyn scene.

Available at:  Bandcamp | eMusic | Amazon

 

By • Jazz Recommendations, Jazz Recommendations - 2015 Releases • 0

Mar 5 2015

This Is Jazz Today: Chris Lightcap’s Bigmouth, Kenosha Kid, Till Martin Quintet & more!

 

BitW square avatarWell all right, the This Is Jazz Today column is back!  After a desperately needed week away from music and writing, I’ve got a fresh new batch of recommendations for you today.  Now, this list reflects only the past week of new releases.  I will almost certainly be posting some sort of make-up column for those new releases that dropped during my hiatus the week prior.

But for now, start digging through the newest gems to surface in the Jazz section of the internet.

Let’s begin…

*** Pick of the Week ***

 

Chris Lightcap’s Bigmouth – Epicenter

Chris Lightcap - "Epicenter"There’s an anthemic nature to much of Chris Lightcap‘s style of modern jazz.  This is true whether he adopts a straight-ahead sound that bops right along or goes with something that toes the line separating jazz from other genres.  That continues on his newest, where the all-star bassist deftly combines oddball meters, conventional song structures and stunning melodic washes.  Epicenter is one of the best things to come out, thus far, in 2015.  At year end, I expect to be saying much the same.  Pretty soon, I’ll be writing more about this album and his previous recording, Deluxe.  In the meantime, just start listening.

Released on Clean Feed Records.  Visit the artist site.

More listening | Buy: eMusic – Direct from Clean Feed Records

*****

*** This week’s featured albums ***

 

Kenosha Kid – Inside Voices (Self-Produced)

Kenosha Kid - "Inside Voices"Basic building blocks of a strong melody, thick harmonies and a well-lit rhythmic path lead to a texturally rich offering.  Development of album as intriguing as individual songs.  Excellent example of modern jazz-indie rock mix.

Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp – eMusic – CDBaby – Amazon

Read more about this album on Bird is the Worm (LINK).

*****

Albert “Tootie” Heath – Philadelphia Beat (Sunnyside)

Albert Heath - "Philadelphia Beat"Excellent set from jazz legend Heath in a trio with modern heroes Ethan Iverson & Ben Street.  Nifty generational balance between old-school and new-school straight-ahead styles.  Cheerful music with a sharp wit… oh hell yes.

No artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp – eMusic – Amazon

*****

Till Martin Quintet – The Gardener (Unit Records)

Till Martin - "The Gardener"Saxophonist Martin’s quintet weaves an album of supreme gorgeousness.  Addition of cello and viola allows transition between an icy elegance and soft warmth.  Perfect amount of edge to complement the comforting, serene beauty.

Artist site | Buy:  eMusic – Amazon

*****

James Falzone’s Renga Ensemble – The Room Is (Allos Documents)

James Falzone - "The Room Is"Falzone’s sextet of clarinets and saxophones possesses a lexicon equally adept at enchantment and debate.  Modulations between sweet harmonies and acerbic dissonance performed with an appealing care and patience.  A friggin’ all-star line-up of reedists on this one.

Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp – eMusic – CDBaby

*****

Skydive Trio – Sun Moee (Hubro)

Skydive Trio - "Sun Moee"Nice easy-going guitar trio from bassist Mats Eilertsen, drummer Olavi Louhivuori and guitarist Thomas T. Dahl.  Hazy melodies delivered with strong intent.  A tuneful approach throughout.

Artist site | Buy: eMusic – Amazon

*****

Jeremy Danneman – Lady Boom Boom (Ropeadope)

Jeremy Danneman - "Lady Boom Boom"An album that sets equal importance to kicking back in the shade as it does getting out on the dance floor.  Saxophonist Danneman’s debut bleeds all kinds of personality and more than a little bit of fun.  Charming and exuberant.

Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp – Amazon

*****

Syberen van Munster – Plunge for Distance (Self-Produced)

Syberen van Munster - "Plunge for Distance"When this quintet moves at a brisk pace, the music has an appealing pop-music catchiness.  And when sax & accordion combine to influence the proceedings, the result is a haunting beauty.  Guitarist van Munster strikes a nice balance on this solid debut recording.

Artist site | Listen | Buy: CDBaby – eMusic – Amazon

Download a free album track at the artist’s Soundcloud page.

*****

Spin Marvel – Infolding (Rare Noise)

Spin Marvel - "Infolding"Space-age jazz electronica fusion.  Heavy atmospherics from the live electronic effects and Nils Petter Molvaer’s trumpet create an intoxicating ambiance.  Rhythm section provides the necessary thump and drive to balance things out.

Artist site | Buy:  Amazon

*****

Mike Ievtushenko Trio – Prayer (Barnette Records)

Mike Ievtushenko - "Prayer"Solid saxophone trio set from tenor man Ievtushenko.  They hit the sweet spot from when hard bop was transitioning into spiritual jazz.  One that should appeal to old-school and new-school fans alike.

No artist site | Buy: eMusic

*****

Ifa y Xango – Twice Left Handed\\Shavings (El Negocito)

Ifa y Xango - "Twice Left Handed, Shavings"Interesting mix of dissonance and drone from this ensemble of wind instruments, guitars, keyboards and electronic effects.  Even when it growls, there’s a comforting nature to the music.  Something different.

Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp

*****

Yvonnick Prene & Pasquale Grasso – Merci Toots (Self-Produced)

Yvonnick Prene, Pasquale Grasso - "Merci Toots"Guitar-harmonica duo run through a set of standards and classics.  They develop a nice chatter, moving at a brisk pace without sounding hurried.  A sort of quaint blowing session.

Artist site | Listen | Buy: CDBaby – Amazon

*****

Free Nelson Mandoomjazz – Awakening of a Capital (Rare Noise)

Free Nelson Mandoomjazz - "Awakening of a Capital"Seriously compelling saxophone trio session.  Switches from a theme for the end of the world to an infectious groove to striking melodic passages.  All kinds of personality to this one.

Artist site | Listen | Buy: Amazon

*****

Muriel Grossmann – Earth Tones (Self-Produced)

Muriel Grossmann - "Earth Tones"Some nifty old-school spiritual jazz from saxophonist Grossmann.  Excellent mix of barely restrained heat and nearly attained serenity.  Alice Coltrane fans check in here.

Artist site | Buy: eMusic – CDBaby – Amazon

*****

Don Aliquo/Clay Jenkins Quintet – New Ties & Binds (Self-Produced)

Don Aliquo, Clay Jenkins - "New Ties and Binds"Nifty straight-ahead session that reflects a friendly demeanor.  There’s a looseness to the sound that’s plenty appealing.  Incisive interplay between engaging solos keeps things bopping right along.

Artist site | Buy:  No known retail options

*****

Jason Seizer – Cinema Paradiso (Pirouet)

Jason Seizer - "Cinema Paradiso"Nice take on classic movie themes from Seizer’s quartet.  His saxophone stays to the quiet end, but makes each note resonate with remarkable strength.  Moody, evocative, quite beautiful at times.

Artist site | Buy: eMusic – Amazon

*****

Chantale Gagne – The Left Side of the Moon (Self-Produced)

Chantale Gagne - "The Left Side of the Moon"Enjoyable set from pianist Gagne, backed by a quartet of pro’s pros (Lewis Nash, Steve Wilson & Peter Washington).  Nothing fancy, just solid straight-ahead jazz.  A little swing, a little bop, plenty of soul.

Artist site | Buy: CDBaby – Amazon

*****

 

Have a great time digging through the list!

And remember, it’s simple:  You like what you like.

Cheers.

***

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Mar 4 2015

Recommended: Kenosha Kid – “Inside Voices”

 

Kenosha Kid - "Inside Voices"Inside Voices begins with the basic building blocks of a strong melody, thick harmonies and a well-lit rhythmic path.  From there, Kenosha Kid multitasks the steady, patient construction of those basics into materials more complex and detailed with each subsequent expression.  The care and attention paid to the shaping of the album pays huge dividends.  As each song develops within its personal borders of first note and last, it keeps in mind all that has come before while simultaneously training an eye on the horizon line of what comes next.  The connection points span many distances.

Opening track “Vanishing Point” bathes in harmonies that possess the brightness and warmth of the morning sun.  Its potent melody is drawn on thick and made simple to follow along.  Guitarist Dan Nettles’ solo stays cupped within the rhythm section’s guiding hand.  A bit of effusiveness near the conclusion doesn’t erase the languorous ambiance at the heart of the song, but it does set the table for the next track and those that follow.

“Fabrication” returns to the album’s opening state by sweetly rolling out the melody atop a bed of harmonies.  The teamwork of saxophonists Peter van Huffel and Greg Sinibaldi and trumpeter Jacob Wick shifts deftly from a comforting tone to one hinting at a potential for aggression.  But even after the song’s volume and tempo do spike, the trio of wind instruments continue referring to that opening statement of melody so that a peaceful demeanor hangs in the air above the torrential downpour.  The song begins, middles and ends much like the one previous, but with a greater resonance and a greater attention to the details.

“Liberty Bell” takes the thick harmonies and well-crafted melody and begin to layer it over with tiny embellishments and denser materials.  It’s a song with presence.  Nettles’ guitar bends and winds and cries softly with a slow and unyielding grace.  It grows into a song that gives the impression it might swell and burst at the seams, but the bass and drums duo of Robby Handley and Marlon Patton gather the song in gently and ease it along, and it’s why the song remains a lovely, peaceful sigh.

“Zombie Party” is where the septet decides to let the effusiveness break out.  The melody sets the dance floor to a tuneful bounce and sway.  The celebratory nature that had been kept wrapped up begins to show.  Saxophones wail, trumpet roars, guitar smoulders with heat, and the cadence edges ahead with a bit of volatility.

“Map of the Universe” lets it completely out of the bag.  And even though the peacefulness has been discarded for a more buoyant personality, the way in which Handly and Patton dig in to a thick groove maintains a sense of containment and a look to the steady hand of past songs… no matter how wild their ensemble mates might get.  In addition, the wavering hum of electronic effects that bleeds into the flow of things instills a bit of an ambient touch, further strengthening the ties to the earlier tracks.

“Mushmouth” is a shout to the sky.  The groove becomes looser and deeper, and the modern indie-jazz takes on the demeanor of a hard bop funk from time past.  It’s a natural landing spot from the song previous, and it’s the perfect launching pad into the album’s final track.

“Everyone I Know” brings it all together.  A radiant personality, it crackles with electricity and echoes strongly of the warm thick harmonies and rich melodies of the album’s opening tracks.  Tuneful and agitated, lyrical and ebullient… the languorous peace and the lively excitement coexisting in one final expression, a culmination of everything that had been so meticulously drawn out in the moments leading up to the finale.  The conclusion is a satisfying one, but more riveting is the way it fully reveals the album’s ultimate shape and puts in perspective everything that led up to the moment of finality.

Just a tremendous effort.  Highly recommended.

Your album personnel:  Dan Nettles (guitar), Jacob Wick (trumpet), Peter van Huffel (alto sax), Greg Sinibaldi (tenor & baritone saxes), Robby Handley (bass) and Marlon Patton (drums).

This album is Self-Produced.

Jazz from the Athens, GA scene.

Available at:  Bandcamp | eMusic | CDBaby | Amazon

Brick & Mortar retail option: Horizon Records (Greenville, SC)

 

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Mar 2 2015

Recommended: ADHD – “ADHD5”

 

ADHD - "ADHD 5"It’s mostly sonorous melodies that rule the day on ADHD5, the fifth release by the Icelandic quartet ADHD… melodies that possess the fuzzy motions of a shadow in action.  And while those melodies are most likely to captivate the listener, it’s the manipulation of tempo that provides the album both substance and depth.  There’s “Græna Thokan,” which nicely contrasts a plodding rhythm with a melody that floats lightly just out of its reach.  “Free Angelo,” for all its relaxed ambiance, hints at a rigid formality that could suddenly become rule of law.  The creeping cadence of “Jörg Thienelt” gives a friendly song a mysterious edge.

A couple tracks fall outside the serenity’s ring of influence.  “Flugzeug” turns up the heat dramatically, while the contemplative tones of “Afi Palli” hum with a powerful brilliance.  But mostly what the recording offers up are tracks like the gentle sighs of “Indjanadansinn,” a song that hovers on the border of peaceful sleep and vibrant dreams.

An absorbing album.

Your album personnel:  Óskar Guðjónsson (saxophones), Ómar Guðjónsson (guitars, basses), Davíð Þór Jónsson (Hammond organ, Moogs, Rhodes, piano, bass) and Magnús Trygvason Eliassen (drums).

Released on Contemplate Music.

Jazz from the Reykjavík, Iceland scene.

Available at:  eMusic | Amazon

 

By • Jazz Recommendations, Jazz Recommendations - 2015 Releases • 0

Feb 20 2015

This Is Jazz Today (Part II): Bram Weijters & Chad McCullough, Daniele Cavallanti, Peter Gordon and more!

 

BitW square avatarWell, as I mentioned yesterday in Part One of this column, the sheer volume of new releases this week forced me to split this week’s This Is Jazz Today column into two parts.  Today is Part Two and Part One appeared yesterday.  Conveniently, each day will feature one of the two co-Picks of the Week.  And the Featured Five will now become the Featured Six, so that I can have an equal number of them each day.  Twenty recommendations in all, ten per day.  And quite frankly, there were more than two recordings that had a strong claim to earn the top spot.  Damn, this was a strong week.  So, I split it in two.

Have I made this more complicated than it needed be?  Probably.  Couldn’t I just have loaded up a ton of recommendations in one single column like I have so many other times before?  Well, you make a good point.  Am I going to persist in delaying the discovery of great new music by allowing this intro to continue endlessly?  Oh, hey, yeah, sorry about that.  And couldn’t I have had the decency to at least write something new for Day 2 instead of copy & pasting yesterday’s intro?  Nag nag nag.

Let’s begin…

 

*** The Featured Three ***

 

Bram Weijters & Chad McCullough Quartet – Abstract Quantities

Bram Weijters, Chad McCullough - "Abstract Quantities"There is a workmanlike quality to the magic this quartet creates with each recording.  Pianist Bram Weijters and Chad McCullough go about their job of crafting expert melodies and seamlessly fusing them into place with logical rhythms and harmonies that achieve their function with a remarkable precision.  The result is a series of striking tunes that give the sense of possessing no beginning and no end, and radiating an individuality that draws the focus on the song of the moment with no regard to what has come before and what’s up next.

Read more about why I recommend this album (LINK).

co-Pick of the Week.

Released on Origin Arts.  Visit the artist site & artist site.

More listening | Buy:  Bandcamp | Amazon

*****

Daniele Cavallanti – Sounds of Hope

Daniele Cavallanti - "Sounds of Hope"Saxophonist Daniele Cavallanti joins with the Milano Contemporary Art Ensemble for an absolutely thrilling album.  A Big Sound that dedicates itself to exploring the nuances of the compositions.  The way Cavallanti is able to introduce the most delicate statements amidst waves of ferocity is just breathtaking.  Coltrane fans should be taking a listen here, especially.  I’ll be writing more about this album in the coming weeks, but feel free to just go buy this fantastic album immediately.

Released on Rudi Records.  No artist site

Buy: eMusic – Amazon

*****

Peter Gordon – Symphony 5

Peter Gordon - "Symphony 5"What’s most compelling about the new release by composer Peter Gordon and his Love Of Life Orchestra is that they make very strange music sound like an everyday experience.  The ensemble splices together passages of jazz, rock, pop, classical and any number of other influences, and shapes a stream of ideas that gives the impression of the unconventional, but comes off as almost logical as they serve up one unexpected turn after the other.  An essential element to this approach is that the music possesses a euphoric joyfulness that informs each and every moment.  Music as fun as it is intelligent.

Released on Foom Music.

More listening | Buy: Bandcamp – eMusic – Amazon

*****

*** And seven more ***

 

Sigurdur Flosason & Kjeld Lauritsen – Daybreak (Storyville)

Sigurdur Flosason - "Daybreak"Cool blues sound from this quartet of sax, Hammond B3 organ, guitar and drums.  Spends equal time on the simmering slow tunes as it does the swing.  And what it does, it does with feeling.

Artist site | Listen | Buy: eMusic – Amazon

*****

Josh Nelson – Exploring Mars (Origin)

Josh Nelson - "Exploring Mars"Pianist Nelson’s ode to the Red Planet, inspired by science, stories and space travel.  A deft mix of solo, small & large ensemble, instrumental and vocal pieces.  For an album with a (relatively) small sound, it’s awfully damn exhilarating.

Artist site | Buy: Amazon

*****

Ben Wolfe – The Whisperer (Posi-Tone)

Ben Wolfe - "The Whisperer"Solid straight-ahead quartet date from bassist Wolfe.  No one particular track comes on too strong, but each displays a little personality different from the rest.  Plenty here to like, and good reasons to keep returning.

Artist site | Buy: Amazon

*****

Scott Hesse Trio – The Stillness of Motion (Origin)

Scott Hesse - "The Stillness of Motion"Enjoyable straight-ahead jazz guitar trio. Hesse develops a pleasantly talkative mode on his guitar. The bass and drums duo of Clark Sommers & Makaya McCraven clearly speak Hesse’s language.

Artist site | Buy: Amazon

*****

Ant Law – Zero Sum World (Whirlwind)

Ant Law - "Zero Sum World"Plenty nice when this jazz guitar recording brings in some swing, but it’s when the quintet embraces modern approaches that the real personality shows.  Guitarist Law excels when the foot is off the gas pedal.  Nifty mix of eccentricities and conventionalism.

Artist site | Buy: Amazon

*****

Tim Warfield – Spherical (Criss Cross)

Tim Warfield - "Spherical"Strong set of covers of Thelonious Monk compositions.  Saxophonist Warfield deftly gives Monk’s indelible tunes his own voice without turning his back on the originals.  Warfield is backed by a very strong cast on this quintet date.

Artist site | Buy: Amazon

*****

Mark Wade Trio – Event Horizon (Self-Produced)

Mark Wade - "Event Horizon"Nice straight-ahead piano trio from bassist Wade, pianist Tim Harrison and drummer Scott Neumann.  Nothing fancy, just strong play.  Album ends with a fun rendition of “If I Only Had a Brain.”

Artist site | Buy: eMusic – CDBaby – Amazon

*****

 

Have a great time digging through the list!

And remember, it’s simple:  You like what you like.

Cheers.

*****

And be sure to check out PART I of this week’s

This Is Jazz Today

(LINK)

*****

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