Jazz Recommendations – 2015 Releases

Jan 22 2015

This is Jazz Today: Hereward, Casey Golden, Lisanne Tremblay & more!

 

BitW square avatarSo here we are.  As you (hopefully) read in a previous column, my run on eMusic & Wondering Sound is now over.  You can read about what’s what, here, w/this LINK.  For the time being, as I search for a new home for my weekly jazz recommendations column, I’ll be posting the recs on Bird is the Worm.

About those recommendations…

Welcome to the new year.  As with past years, I’ll be scooping up many albums that dropped between now and a month ago, when my annual vacation from the new arrivals listings begins so I can focus on year-end assignments.  That means a month’s worth of new releases.  Even during a dead period (as the end of the year often is), that’s a huge stack to sort through, but that also means you’ll get a pretty deep selection this week.  Several of the albums that fall in the “bottom half” of the column could’ve just as easily been featured… and, perhaps, will receive more words of recommendation in the near future.

2015 is off to a great start.

Now, let’s begin…

*** The Featured Ten ***

 

Hereward – Hereward

Hereward - "Hereward"It makes sense that Brady Millard-Kish‘s debut would sound like this.  His New Orleans roots inform the music with a view of many genres and sounds becoming one.  This mix of modern jazz, post-rock, chamber, pop, etc, isn’t unlike the approach of fellow-N.O. musician Cliff Hines and his captivating Wanderlust.  The sound, on the other hand, clearly reflects his current Pacific-Northwest environs, falling right in line with Cellar & Point and Blue Cranes.  Melodically heartbreaking, rhythmically mesmerizing, and a presence like the sweetest lullaby you’ve ever heard.  Pick of the Week.

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

Available at:  CDBaby | eMusic | Amazon

*****

Casey Golden Trio – Outliers

Casey Golden Trio - "Outliers"Sometimes you’ve got a melody as thesis statement and sometimes it gets strung out like a trail winding through the hills, always within sight but an uncertainty where it’ll take you.  Pianist Casey Golden‘s newest album is of the latter group, and it’s why his simple piano trio recording is so damn absorbing.  Those melodies are more like guideposts to some exciting travel routes.  Two feet in modern jazz territory; it’s gonna be more cerebral than swing, but the thoughtfulness the trio puts into each tune makes it a winner.

Released on Scrampion Records.  Visit the artist site.

Available at:  Bandcamp | eMusic | CDBaby | Amazon

*****

David Roitstein & Larry Koonse – Conversations

Roitstein Koonse - "Conversations"This is one of those duo collaborations when two individual voices speak as one instrument and yet the result is multiple conversation lines… each of the collaborators apart and their notes in unison.  Guitarist Koonse and pianist Roitstein provide just such a series of dialogues, and whether laid back or kicking up a little dust, the music is just sublime.  Peaceful and lively, both.  Everybody needs music like this for a lazy Sunday morning, when the whole city is at rest and quiet sounds are needed to fill quiet rooms.

Released on Jazz Compass.  Visit the artist site & site.

Available at:  eMusic | Amazon

*****

Aaron Goldberg – The Now

Aaron Goldberg - "The Now"With his longtime trio of bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Eric Harland at his side, pianist Aaron Goldberg offers up a solid new piano trio recording, finding the right mix of compositional structure and improvisational effusiveness.  The resonance of each tune is strong, but it’s the diversity of expression that makes the album stand out.  Read more about why I recommend this album (LINK).

Released on Sunnyside Records.  Visit the artist site.

Available at:  Bandcamp | Amazon CD/MP3 | eMusic

*****

Lisanne Tremblay – Violinization

Lisanne Tremblay - "Violinization"Absorbing debut from violinist Lisanne Tremblay.  Her quartet (violin, piano, bass, drums) switches things up in terms of the jazz perspective they present, but Tremblay’s violin maintains a remarkably consistent voice despite the scene changes.  The end result is that a familiarity is bred with her particular voice throughout an album that never sits still in presenting unexpected views.  There’s some post-bop, some contemporary, some avant-garde(ish) angularity and some jazz-folk.  Somehow the quartet wraps it up into a neat bundle.

Released on Inner Circle Music.  Visit the artist site.

Available at:  eMusic | CDBaby | Amazon

*****

David Helbock Trio – Aurual Colors

David Helbock - "Aural Colors"David Helbock develops a nice talkative demeanor on his newest.  It’s a relatively straight-ahead affair, especially compared to his previous release, Think of Two, a tribute to the music of Monk and Hermeto Pascoal, which used a huge arsenal of eccentric instruments to go along with the unconventional compositions of the unconventional artists.  This time around, aside from a string of Arnold Schoenberg compositions, it’s Helbock originals and a straight trio of piano, drums and bass ukulele (well, there had to be something strange in there somewhere).  Strong melodies, nice dialog between the trio members, and refreshing infusions of blues and gospel along the way.

Released on Traumton Records.  Visit the artist site.

Available at: Amazon

*****

Anna Webber – Percussive Mechanics: Refraction

Anna Webber - "Refraction"Returning with the same cast that offered up the excellent 2013 release Percussive Mechanics, Anna Webber crafts Refraction with a similar method of coalescing a disassembled collection of moving parts into a form of synchronized chaos where melodic fragments thrive and prosper.  Read more about why I recommend this album (LINK).

Released on Pirouet Records.  Visit the artist site.

Available at: eMusic | Amazon CD

*****

Manatee – Look the Other Way

Manatee - "Look the Other Way"The 11-piece ensemble, Manatee comes heavy with the wind instruments, especially sax, and they put the numbers to good use, offering up a big sound with warm, wide harmonies.  The thing that separates the album from the pack, however, is the way the group develops tempos that shape the music into something catchy and, at times, danceable.  The Ontario-based ensemble’s mix of post-jazz, modern bop and indie-pop isn’t at all unlike some of the cutting edge bands hailing from the Swedish countryside.  It’s their debut.  Hopefully it’s not their last.  Fun album.

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

Available at:  eMusic | Bandcamp | CDBaby | Amazon

*****

Sweet Defeat – Sweet Defeat

Sweet Defeat - "Sweet Defeat"This is a strange one.  Sweet Defeat is a trio of Tom Wouters on reeds, Lode Vercampt on cello and Bert Dockx on electric guitar.  Carried along by punctuated tempos, the trio switches between a seaside ease, an incisive edge and a fierce burn.  This is whimsical music delivered with a deadpan facade.  And somehow, amidst all of that, the trio tries to melt some hearts by sneaking in beautiful melodic passages.  Very cool, plenty different.

Released on El Negocito Records.  Visit the artist site.

Available at:  Bandcamp | eMusic | CDBaby | Amazon

*****

Duane Eubanks Quintet – Things Of That Particular Nature

Duane Eubanks Quintet - "Things Of That Particular Nature"Solid straight-ahead recording from trumpeter Duane Eubanks, who returns to session leader after a long hiatus.  There’s a decent contemporary piece thrown in, but mostly we’re talking some sort of bop… hard bop, post-bop, whatever bop, it’s all great stuff.  The most notable member of the sextet has to be pianist Marc Cary, who’s been lighting up the scene recently, however vibraphonist Steve Nelson brings a warmth to the session that brightens melodies and puts a spring in the tempo’s step.  Just excellent musicianship from first note to last.

Released on Sunnyside Records.  Visit the artist site.

Available at:  Bandcamp | eMusic | Amazon

*****

 ***And Ten More ***

 

Justin Kauflin – Dedication (Jazz Village)

Justin Kauflin - "Dedication"Absolutely resonant piano session from Kauflin. Inspired use of two different guitarists.  The kind of tunes that never get old no matter how many times you hit the play button.

Artist site | Listen | Buy: Amazon

*****

Felice Clemente Trio – 6:35 am (Crocevia di Suoni Records)

Felice Clemente - "6.35 am"Nifty sax trio recording. Maintains an alluring flow while sticking to up-tempo pieces. Straight-forward, likable.

Artist site | Buy: eMusic – Amazon

*****

Linda Presgrave – Along the Path (Metropolitan Records)

Linda Presgrave - "Along the Path"Nice easy-going cadence whether throwing out heat or blanketing the room in moonlight. Broken into suites to reflect her travels. Presgrave’s piano synchs in nicely with drummer Allison Miller on this trio set (w/some guest saxophonists).

No artist site | Buy: Amazon

*****

George Colligan – Risky Notion (Origin Arts)

George Colligan - "Risky Notion"Strong sense of locomotion on the newest by Colligan. A quartet with two saxophonists (plus, guest trumpeter) provides melodies more stomp than bop. Nice follow-up to his last recording, The Endless Mysteries, when he’s at the piano.

Artist site | Buy: Amazon

*****

Makaya McCraven – In the Moment ((International Anthem))

Makaya McCraven - "In the Moment"On-the-spot rhythms are the feature presentation on McCraven’s compilation of improvised tracks culled from live sets over a year’s stretch. He’s joined by an all-star line-up of Chicago’s best. A whole bunch of brief spurts of friendly conversation that’s often catchy as hell.

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

*****

Akua Dixon – Akua Dixon (Self-Produced)

Akua Dixon - "Akua Dixon"Personable session from cellist Dixon, joined by her string quartet.  Lively take on Mingus’s “Haitian Fight Song” and sweetly melodic touch to “Moon River” are highlights.  Develops some more action with takes on Ellington, Strayhorn and Latin standards.

Artist site | Buy: CDBaby – Amazon

*****

Chamber 3 – Grassroots (Origin Arts)

Chamber 3 - "Grassroots"Nifty trio set of guitar, sax and drums (plus guest bassist).  Straight-ahead modern set, planted firmly in that shimmery post-bop style typical of the Pacific Northwest scene.  Differentiation in the details develops something a little less ordinary.

Artist site | Buy: Amazon

*****

Five Plus Six – Such Sweet Thunder (Self-Produced)

Five Plus Six - "Such Sweet Thunder"Vance Thomposon’s big band sticks to the compositions of the masters. Develops a big sound, full of life. Nothing unconventional, but quirky traits rise to the top and provide some real personality.

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

 *****

Art Hirahara – Libations & Meditations (Posi-Tone Records)

Art Hirahara - "Libations & Meditations"Excellent straight-ahead piano session. Hirahara’s trio gets every tempo to crackle with electricity, melodies glitter like stars. This recording keeps getting better to my ears with each listen.

Artist site | Listen | Buy: Amazon

*****

Rob Mazurek – Alternate Moon Cycles (International Anthem)

Rob Mazurek - "Alternate Moon Cycles"Few as creatively daring as Mazurek. On his newest, it’s a crosshatch of In a Silent Way and shoegaze. A seriously captivating album. Read more about why I recommend this album (LINK).

Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp – eMusic – Amazon+MP3

*****

 

Have a great time digging through the list!

Remember, it’s simple:  You like what you like.

Cheers.

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

Jan 20 2015

Recommended: Aaron Goldberg – “The Now”

 

Aaron Goldberg - "The Now"For what amounts to a straight-ahead modern piano trio recording, The Now doesn’t exactly come packaged in a neat bundle.  But considering that the inspiration for the newest from pianist Aaron Goldberg is a respect and appreciation for the transitory nature of improvisational creativity and the need to exist in the present moment to best express it, this relative lack of cohesion may not only be intentional, but also necessary.  With his longtime trio of bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Eric Harland at his side, Goldberg carves out a set of tunes that share some common bonds, but stand alone, each to themselves.

Album-opener “Trocando em Miudos” is absolutely resonant.  It expresses itself patiently and peacefully and emanates a powerful warmth from within.  It’s one of three Brazilian compositions on the album, and Goldberg gives each its own voice.

The simmering “Triste Bahia da Guanabara” and the introspective “Wind in the Night” show that the sublime can take many forms.  “E-Land” gets back to the resonance of the opener, but kicks up the tempo a bit.  This, along with slow boil of Toninho Horta’s “Francisca,” are emblematic of they way Goldberg keeps switching things up to make what might have been common stand completely apart.

The upbeat “Yoyo” is all about the sunny attitude.  Goldberg’s renditions of Charlie Parker’s “Perhaps” and Konitz/Marsh’s “Background Music” honor the originals with chipper tempos and a melodic playfulness, while also drawing emphasis to the individual motions of each that speak to the heart of the matter.  The exciting “One’s a Crowd” keeps the pulse rate up and finds a way to express both structural composure and improvisational effusiveness.

The album ends with the somber “One Life.”  Guest Kurt Rosenwinkel brings that same potent mix of melancholy and combustion that lent so much personality to his involvement with the Brian Blade Fellowship.  It’s an evocative way to end an album that doesn’t limit the ways it chooses to express itself.

Your album personnel:  Aaron Goldberg (piano), Reuben Rogers (bass), Eric Harland (drums) and guest:  Kurt Rosenwinkel (guitar).

Released on Sunnyside Records.

Jazz from NYC.

Available at:  Bandcamp | Amazon CD/MP3 | eMusic

 

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

Jan 9 2015

Recommended: Anouar Brahem – “Souvenance”

Anouar Brahem - "Souvenance"

Oudist Anouar Brahem has consistently recorded some of the most mesmerizing music for the ECM Records label.  Early in his ECM recording career, it was pieces that situated themselves primarily in the folk music category.  Some improvisation of a jazz(ish) nature would get thrown into the mix, especially if saxophonists John Surman or Jan Garbarek sat in on a session.  But mostly it was charming folk tunes that cast a heavy, captivating spell with bouts of liveliness eclipsed by contemplative passages.

Things really got mesmerizing with his 2002 release Le Pas du Chat Noir and 2006’s Le Voyage de Sahar.  For those recordings, Brahem switched to a trio format of himself, pianist Franҫois Couturier and accordionist Jean Louis Matinier.  This was the real deal.  Courturier brought a serious elegance to the affair on piano and Matinier’s accordion offered up a thick, wavering drone.  These two qualities both meshed with and contrasted against the patient, charming tones from Brahem’s oud.  It was the perfect mix of contemplative and extroverted.  The effect was almost hypnotic.

It’s been a handful of years since he released the gawkily titled, The Astounding Eyes of Rita.  That album got him back to a more talkative demeanor.  It was one of his more bustling works since the early days.  For those who had grown enthralled with the chamber-folk sound of his previous two recordings, it was something of a letdown, despite being an enjoyable recording.

Brahem’s 2015 release, Souvenance gets back to the chamber-folk hypnotics, but in a new, exciting way.  Apparently inspired by the political and social upheaval in his native Tunisia, Souvenance is supremely captivating.  Francois Couturier returns on piano, Klaus Gesing joins in on bass clarinet and Bjorn Meyer adds his bass, but it’s the addition of the Orchestra delia Svizzera Italiana that’s the real reason for excitement.  Effectively, it takes on the role of the accordion drone, and because of its bigger presence and detailed sound, it delivers a seriously evocative punch.

But Brahem doesn’t overdo it with the orchestra.  For the most part, the contribution by the orchestra is both sparing and tasteful.  This is especially fortuitous in that it allows smaller interactions to take center stage and receive the greatest attention.  There is the amicable chatter of oud crossing paths with the deep resonance of clarinet and there’s the meditative pulse of piano locking in step with the lively patter of percussion and there are the melodic bursts from piano matched with the drifting flutters of clarinet, and surrounding it all like an enveloping mist is the striking warmth of orchestral accompaniment.

In many ways, this is a big departure for Brahem from past recordings.  The sound is something new.  But as far as the music’s captivating presence and arresting, almost trance-like demeanor, this is, in fact, a return to what made past Brahem recordings resonate so powerfully, and it’s why Souvenance is a winning album.

Your album personnel:  Anouar Brahem (oud), Franҫois Couturier (piano), Klaus Gesing (bass clarinet), Björn Meyer (bass) and the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, conducted by Pietro Mianiti.

Released on ECM Records.

Music from the Tunisia scene.

Available (on 2/24/15) at:  Amazon CD

Stream an album track at the ECM Records site.

Here’s an official making-of-the-album video type of thing.  It scoops up most of the album track, “January,” though it was somebody’s harebrained idea to interrupt the absolutely gorgeous music with conversation and whispering.  Whatever.  Still worth checking out.

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

Newer Entries »