Jazz Recommendations – 2015 Releases

Feb 19 2015

This Is Jazz Today (Part I): Fresh Cut Orchestra, Alban Darche Stringed, Nordmann and more!

 

BitW square avatarI couldn’t figure out why there were so many scheduled releases set for February 17th, and then it struck me… that’s my birthday.  Aw shucks, Jazz People, you shouldn’t have.  No, really, don’t do that again.  I couldn’t even celebrate my birthday because of all the new albums to go through.

About those new albums… I had to split this week’s This Is Jazz Today column into two parts.  Today is Part One and tomorrow is Part Two.  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…

Let’s begin…

 

*** The Featured Three ***

 

Fresh Cut Orchestra – From the Vine

Fresh Cut Orchestra - "From the Vine"Considering how the Fresh Cut Orchestra is comprised of bandleaders drawn from a diverse group of projects, From the Vine displays an impressive solidarity.  Yes, the varied influences are all there and show their faces throughout this debut, providing the album with depth and substance to back up its engaging personality.

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

co-Pick of the Week.

Released on Ropedope Records.  Visit the artist site.

More listening | Buy: Bandcamp – Amazon – eMusic

*****

Alban Darche Stringed – L’Horloge

Alban Darche - "L'Horloge"Saxophonist Alban Darche creates curiously beautiful music.  There’s something supremely enchanting about his work, even if it’s often difficult to explain why.  His music is typically unconventional and downright strange, so it’s interesting to hear him partner up with a quintet of stringed instruments.  It definitely puts his haunting melodies and acrobatic solos in a new light.  I’ve got a pretty decent draft going that documents his various projects.  For now, dig into his newest.

Released on Cristal Records.  Visit the artist site.

More listening | Buy: Amazon

*****

Nordmann – Alarm!

Nordmann - "Alarm!"A very fun and absorbing session from the Nordmann quartet, who dish out the rock as often as they do jazz.  When sax speaks, it often does so in a clipped language, with a brevity that doesn’t diminish its melodic strength.  The guitar sometimes roars aloud, but is more effective when threading thin lines of melody and rhythm both.  The bass & drums duo drive things along plenty, but it’s their playfulness with tempo when they emerge at their strongest.  Good stuff.

Released on W.E.R.F. Records. Visit the artist site.

More listening | Buy: eMusic – Amazon

*****

*** And seven more ***

 

Duchess – Duchess (Anzic)

Duchess - "Duchess"Fun recording from the vocal trio of Amy Cervini, Hilary Gardner and Melissa Stylianou.  Backed by a quintet of pro’s pros, the ladies swing while they sing.  All the warmth of a friendly embrace, all the fun of a day spent with good friends.

Artist site | Buy: Bandcamp – Amazon

*****

John Stowell-Michael Zilber Quartet – Live Beauty (Origin)

Stowell, Zilber - "Live Beauty"Nice live set from a sax-guitar-bass-drums quartet.  Zilber’s effusive attitude on sax matches well with Stowell’s tastefulness on guitar.  Plenty to like on this straight-ahead modern jazz session.

Artist site | Buy: Amazon

*****

PLS Trio – East River (Echo Chamber)

PLS Trio - "East River"Piano trio that doesn’t hold back on the electric instruments or their effects.  None of the songs possess much gravitas, but the trio knows how to shape some seriously pretty melodies.  Lots of catchy tunes and easy to like.

Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp  eMusic  CDBaby  Amazon

*****

Lucas Pino – No Net Nonet (Origin)

Lucas Pino - "No Net Nonet"Nice straight-ahead set from saxophonist Pino.  His nonet attains a strong head of steam and doesn’t relinquish it.  Best is just sitting back and listening to their flight patterns.

Artist site | Buy: Amazon

*****

Andrew Drury – Content Provider (Self-Produced)

Andrew Drury - "Content Provider"This is not an album; it’s a fist.  It pummels the listener until they begin to like the beating.  From the pain of dissonance comes a strangely appealing tunefulness and groove.

Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp

*****

Lage Lund – Idlewild (Criss Cross)

Lage Lund - "Idlewild"The shimmering effect guitarist Lund gives to straight-ahead modern jazz provides it with some differentiation that goes a long way.  Trio session scoots right along at times, but it’s the peaceful moments that hold sway.  Excellent stuff.

Artist site | Buy: Amazon

*****

Charles McPherson – The Journey (Capri)

Charles McPherson - "The Journey"Solid straight-ahead quintet session from the jazz veteran.  McPherson’s alto sax matched up with a tenorman provides both harmonic depth and some fun when they trade fire during solos.  Those who aren’t so much for the modern scene, this one will fit like a glove.

Artist site | Buy: 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 back in tomorrow for PART II of this week’s This Is Jazz Today

(LINK)

*****

By • Jazz Recommendations, Jazz Recommendations - 2015 Releases • 2 • Tags:

Feb 18 2015

Recommended: Fresh Cut Orchestra – “From the Vine”

 

Fresh Cut Orchestra - "From the Vine"Considering how the Fresh Cut Orchestra is comprised of bandleaders drawn from a diverse group of projects, From the Vine displays an impressive solidarity.  Yes, the varied influences are all there and show their faces throughout this debut, providing the album with depth and substance to back up its engaging personality.  And FCO co-leaders Jason Fraticelli, Josh Lawrence and Anwar Marshall deftly balance the importance of reflecting a myriad of traits with that of bundling it all up into something cohesive.  But it’s the way in which the ensemble is able to present an all-encompassing voice and a solitary point of view that really clinches the success of this outstanding recording.

The heart of the album is the six-part “Mothers’ Suite,” which draws its inspiration from a recent passing of a family member and, soon after, an addition to the same family.  The profoundly felt emotions that draw upon the experiences of death and life shine strongly from these tracks.

The opening section, “Birth Of A Child, Birth Of A Mom,” with its swirling mists of keyboards, effects and the sound of birds calling out create an ambient tone that is positively cathartic.  This is further enhanced when the wind instruments make their entrance with lovely washes of harmony.

Those harmonies continue on “Mother’s Love,” but now by booming out with a celebratory note and a sunnier disposition, and providing the space for a saxophone to break from the fold and solo atop the strong rhythmic currents.

Those rhythmic currents grow even stronger on “Ritual Of Take,” and grows increasingly dense with details, while bassist Fraticelli burrows a melody just beneath its surface.  For a song that is all about the percussion, the song is strikingly tuneful.

The pronounced effect of the bass is continued on “Elegy For A Mom.”  Evocative, ferocious.

Part four of the suite, “The Funeral,” is serious blues.  Piano brings the heavy contemplation, while guitar contributes an uplifting expression of melancholy, which, in turn, is balanced nicely by the solemn harmonies from the wind instruments.

“Migration Of Spirit” explodes right out of the gate with guitar screams and hard-charging drums.  On the other hand, the suite’s final act, “The Reawakening” has the reverential, yet celebratory tone and warmth of a New Orleans funeral march.

The album ends with two tracks that are not part of the “Mothers’ Suite,” and, thankfully, they fall naturally into the flow of the album.  “Uptown Romance” is a nifty large ensemble ballad, full of life and feeling and an eye for the heartstrings… and the first instance of something that qualifies as straight-ahead.  Conversely, the album ends with the least straight-ahead tune.  “Sanguine” has an ingenuous mix of jazz ballad, lounge, R&B and rock… a formula that renders the music less like something found in the Jazz section and something more akin to the genre-crossing intelligence of Prince’s out-there experiments.

It’s a smart way to end an album that, all throughout, devises a method to give unclassifiable music a distinctive, recognizable sound.

Your album personnel:  Josh Lawrence (trumpet, flugelhorn), Jason Fraticelli (upright bass), Anwar Marshall (drums), Mark Allen (saxophones), Mike Cemprola (saxophones), Brent White (trombone), Brian Marsella (piano, keyboards), Matt Davis (guitar), Tim Conley (guitar, laptop electronics) and Francois Zayas (percussion).

Released on Ropedope Records.

Jazz from the Philly scene.

Available at:  Bandcamp | Amazon | eMusic

 

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

Feb 17 2015

Recommended: 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.  Abstract Quantities is the third album from the quartet led by pianist Bram Weijters and Chad McCullough, and much like the two that preceded it (2011’s Imaginary Sketches and 2012’s Urban Nightingale) they 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.

The album sets a tone immediately with “Billions,” with its rhythmic surges of intensity and a gentle melodic caress, establishing a balance to their influence that borders on perfection.

There’s a captivating way that “Glorious Traffic Jam” switches between tuneful sections that sound perched outside on the church steps and discombobulated passages that sound suddenly broken free from a pressure chamber.

The album also finds room for the moonlight reveries of “Hesitation” and the subtle, but determined undercurrents of “The Same But Different,” as well as the pop song sweetness of “Little Song (for Mirthe)” and the self-reflective “Winter’s Lament.”  And though none of them present themselves as having any connection with one another, the quartet snaps each of those magical little gems into place, side by side, with the skill of an artisan.

There are three short pieces that serve as introductions to the songs that follow them, but each with so much story and so very immensely captivating in the telling, they stand alone as proper songs.

The album ends with the swinging “Acceptance or Denial,” an upbeat tune that seems strangely out of place with the rest of the album, and, thus, just as strangely, serves as a perfect, satisfying choice for a credits roll.

Yet another solid, absorbing album, in what’s becoming a regular thing for this quartet.  This qualifies as their best so far.

Your album personnel:  Bram Weijters (piano, keyboards), Chad McCullough (trumpet), Piet Verbist (bass) and John Bishop (drums).

Released on Origin Arts.

Jazz from the Antwerpen, Belgium and Chicago, IL scenes.

Available at:  Bandcamp | Amazon

 

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Feb 14 2015

Recommended: Eddie Henderson – “Collective Portrait”

 

Eddie Henderson - "Collective Portrait"Collective Portrait is the newest release from Smoke Sessions Records, and it’s refreshing that this new label specializing in old school jazz maintains that trend even when it applies to fusion.  Trumpeter Eddie Henderson was one who fully embraced the Miles Davis early-fusion period, bringing that sound, in varying degrees, to a wide range of projects… his own as well as to a free(er) jazz recording by Pharoah Sanders, a deep-end of the pool space-rock-jazz-funk Herbie Hancock session, and also projects by Mal Waldron, Kenny Barron and McCoy Tyner that situated themselves in the 90s middle ground between 80s syrupy melodicism and new-century post-bop edginess.

So, while Henderson possessed his own personal voice on trumpet and flugelhorn, he expressed it with any number of different jazz schools of sound.  Collective Portrait touches upon all of them, serving as a retrospective performed in the present tense.

The album opens right out with Henderson originals “Sunburst” and “Dreams,” which dig right into the shimmery fusion sound reminiscent of his earlier recordings.

Henderson slips in some straight-forward bop on the upbeat “Morning Song,” slows things down for the Duke Pearson ballad “You Know I Care,” and then hits the gas pedal on the George Cables’ tune, “First Light.”

An album high-point is the spirited rendition of Freddie Hubbard’s “First Light.”  The surges of intensity summoned up by pianist Cables and drummer Carl Allen keep raising the album up to higher plateaus.  And in between those leaps, the duo, along with bassist Doug Weiss, maintain a brisk pace for Henderson and Gary Bartz to solo over.  It’s one of those tunes that just explodes with life at every turn.

Things keep to a straight-ahead bop attitude with the ballad “Together” and a hoppin’ rendition of Jimmy Heath’s “Ginger Bread Boy.”  Henderson then takes an interesting detour with former collaborator Leszek Kulakowski’s composition, “Spring,” trading in some edge for additional warmth, but more importantly, keying in on that immutable grace emblematic of their past work.

The album ends with a rousing version of Woody Shaw’s “Zoltan.”  Full of life and all the heart of a classic hard bop sound, it’s a great end to an album that reflects those same qualities offered up by Henderson throughout his career.

Your album personnel:  Eddie Henderson (trumpet, flugelhorn), Gary Bartz (alto sax), George Cables (piano), Doug Weiss (bass) and Carl Allen (drums).

Released on Smoke Sessions Records.

Jazz from NYC.

Available at:  eMusic | Amazon

 

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

Feb 12 2015

This Is Jazz Today: Rudresh Mahanthappa, Samo Salamon, Eddie Henderson and more!

 

BitW square avatarNow it’s starting to get busy.  The new release bin in the Jazz section is really starting to show some numbers, so get ready for your budget to start crying for mercy.  This week’s Pick of the Week is the first real statement made by an artist that, yes, 2015 has begun.  But it’s not the only excellent recording deserving of your attention this week, so I’ll stop delaying you from the important work of listening and say…

Let’s begin…

 

*** The Featured Five ***

 

Rudresh Mahanthappa – Bird Calls

Rudresh Mahanthappa - "Bird Calls"Using bits of Charlie Parker melodies and solos as the seeds of inspiration, Rudresh Mahanthappa cultivates those music fragments into his own expressions and in his own voice, and the bloom is dramatically changed from its origins.  This isn’t a Bird tribute album.  The compositions are all Mahanthappa’s.  This is about creative inspiration and the connections we make with music that affects us.  Read more about why I recommend this excellent album (LINK).

Pick of the Week.

Released on ACT Music.  Visit the artist site.

More listening | Buy: eMusic – Amazon

*****

Samo Salamon Bassless Trio – Little River

Samo Salamon - "Little River"A gorgeous new recording from Samo Salamon.  Joined by long-time collaborator, drummer Roberto Dani and saxophonist Paul McCandless, who adds oboe and bass clarinet to the affair.  Salamon’s guitar imagery has always possessed a strong folk element, and working with Oregon ensemble multi-reedist McCandless brings a shining brilliance to that facet of his sound.  This is music that drifts with a lovely, but uneasy serenity occasionally cut through with strikes of lightning and the crash of thunder.  A very distinct and enchanting personality to this one.

The album is Self-Produced.  Visit the artist site.

Buy: Amazon

*****

Eddie Henderson – Collective Portrait

Eddie Henderson - "Collective Portrait"The newest release on the Smoke Sessions label, and it’s refreshing that this new label specializing in old-school jazz maintains that trend even when it applies to fusion.  Trumpeter Eddie Henderson was one who fully embraced the Miles Davis early-fusion period, and the opening two tracks to an album that encompasses the different approaches Henderson has brought to projects in his long career are drenched in that very cool early-fusion sound.  Joined by long-time collaborators, saxophonist Gary Bartz and pianist George Cables, along with the bass-drum combo of Doug Weiss and Carl Allen, the quintet hits a straight-ahead course, both on the bop and the fusion tunes.

Released on Smoke Sessions Records.  Visit the artist site.

Buy:  eMusic | Amazon

*****

Verneri Pohjola – Bullhorn

Verneri Pohjola - "Bullhorn"Trumpeter Verneri Pohjola seems to revel in the big, expressive pronouncements.  The trumpeter’s notes always seem fat and with the deceiving calm of waves concentrically spreading outward.  A modern set that’s got some vague infusions of folk, which provides the music a cinematic flair.  It’s a quartet session, but the addition of guests on tenor sax, trombone and cello add some pleasant texture.  A solid modern jazz trumpet recording.

Released on Edition Records.  Visit the artist site.

More listening | Buy: Bandcamp – Amazon

*****

Vijay Iyer Trio – Break Stuff

Vijay Iyer - "Break Stuff"Interesting new release from the Vijay Iyer Trio, which reunites him with longtime collaborators, bassist Stephan Crump and drummer Marcus Gilmore.  Some of the tunes dive right into contemplative waters, reflecting the imprint of the album’s label, ECM Records.  The gorgeous “Wrens” displays that approach in its best light.  But then there are tunes like title-track “Break Stuff” and renditions of Monk’s “Work” and Coltrane’s “Countdown” which move with a lively playfulness and propulsion.  Iyer’s trio work has typically been cerebral first and the eliciting of motion a residual effect.  He evens that ratio out more evenly on his newest.  The result is a pretty friendly album.

Released on ECM Records.  Visit the artist site.

Buy: Amazon

*****

*** And Ten More ***

 

Christian Wallumrød – Pianokammer (Hubro)

Christian Wallumrod - "PIanokammer"After many wonderful expansive, big production recordings, it’s refreshing to hear the pianist in a solo setting. Peaceful, yet unconventional music. Read more about why I recommend this album (LINK).

Artist site | Buy: Amazon

*****

Harley Card – Hedgerow (Self-Produced)

Harley Card - "Hedgerow"Guitarist Card’s septet flits about from one modern sound to the other.  While unfocused, the stream of changes makes for interesting listening.  Some attention-grabbing moments.

Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp  CDBaby  eMusic  Amazon

*****

Marshall Gilkes & WDR Big Band – Köln (Alternate Side)

Marshall Gilkes & WDR Big Band - "Koln"A solid big band session, exuding both power and grace.  Conductor Gilkes also gets in some delightful moments soloing on trombone.  If you’re in the market for a big band album, you can’t go wrong here.

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

*****

Gebhard Ullmann Basement Research – Hat and Shoes (Between the Lines)

Gebhard Ullmann - "Hat and Shoes"Heavy presence doesn’t prevent a tunefulness from creeping out… lumbering though it may be. Two saxes, trombone, bass & drums seem to be working at cross-purposes, but by maintaining a close proximity, they induce a sense of tight cohesion. Ullmann makes a nifty statement with this one.

Artist site | Listen | Buy: eMusic – Amazon

*****

Alex Conde – Descarga for Monk (Zoho)

Alex Conde - "Descarga for Monk"Monk compositions given a mild Latin jazz interpretation.  Piano trio augmented with additional percussionist accentuates the rhythmic possibilities of the original tunes.  Album is most gripping when pianist Conde phases in and out of the melodies.

Artist site | Listen | Buy: Amazon

*****

Jon Lundbom & Big Five Chord – Jeremiah (Hot Cup)
Jon Lundbom - "Jeremiah"Guitarist Lundbom keeps things moving and keeps it random.  His septet, stocked with musicians at home in this environment, help him retain a cohesion over seemingly disassociated parts.  Best is when everything gets tangled up in patterns easy to follow and trace.

Artist site | Buy: CDBaby – eMusic – Amazon

*****

Daniel Bennett Group – The Mystery at Clown Castle (Self-Produced)

Daniel Bennett - "The Mystery At Clown Castle"Saxophonist Bennett returns with his peculiar mix of songbird jazz, eccentric pop music and folksy charm.  His newest ramps up the voltage on all three of those qualities.  It’s a smooth drink with an unexpected kick.

Artist site | Listen | Buy: eMusic – CDBaby

*****

Errol Rackipov Group – Pictures From a Train Window (First Orbit Sounds)

Errol Rackipov Group - "Pictures From a Train Window"Highlight is when the pairing of vibes and guitar is at the center of things.  Sextet shows equal talent for absorbing moodiness and light-on-its-feet wind sprints.  Flirtations with post-bop, Nordic, folk, straight-ahead and pop music keep the ear interested.

Artist site | Buy: eMusic – CDBaby

*****

Michel Reis Quartet – Capturing the Moment (Double Moon)

Michel Reis - "Capturing This Moment"The moodier their tone, the more evocative Reis’s quartet becomes.  But even when they build momentum, their catchy sing-song melodicism is no less captivating.  Good stuff.

Artist site | Buy: eMusic – Amazon

*****

Carol Saboya, Antonio Adolfo, Hendrik Meurkens – Copa Village (AAM)

Antonio Adolfo - "Copa Village"Mainstream Brazilian jazz vocals session is a ray of sunlight.  Nice easy-going pace as it rolls out the warmth.  Nothing groundbreaking about this music, but it’s likely to cheer up its share of listeners.

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

*****

 

Have a great time digging through the list!

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

Cheers.

 

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

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