Scott Robinson - Plays The Compositions Of Thad Jones: Forever Lasting

Styles: Straight-Ahead/Mainstream
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:47
Size: 158,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:53)  1. Quietude
(4:13)  2. To You
(5:50)  3. Interloper
(3:49)  4. Don't Ever Leave Me
(5:47)  5. Three And One
(3:31)  6. Yours And Mine
(3:57)  7. Fingers
(4:27)  8. All My Yesterdays
(4:37)  9. TNA Blues
(4:14) 10. A Child Is Born
(7:17) 11. Walkin' About
(5:28) 12. Kids Are Pretty People
(3:53) 13. The Summary
(5:44) 14. Greeting And Salutations

Thad Jones was best known as an outstanding composer/arranger, in addition to his abilities as a trumpeter and bandleader (various small groups, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra and the Count Basie Orchestra, the latter following Basie's Death). Scott Robinson has long been an admirer of Jones and he may be one of the first to devote an entire CD to the late composer's works, which includes fourteen songs, several of which have been rarely recorded. This release compiles selections from four different recording sessions over a thirteen-year period, utilizing different combinations of rhythm sections. One is so used to seeing Scott Robinson playing such a wide variety of saxophones that it is easy to forget that he also plays other instruments, including echo cornet, flugelhorn, French horn, C-flute and E flat-soprano flute, plus alto clarinet, all heard on this release.

Robinson's session with organist Mike LeDonne produces some of the most unusual sounds of the date. On several tracks, he plays bass sax, which produces surprising results in the lush ballad "To You," the peppy "Three and One" and the greasy "TNA Blues"; Robinson makes the ungainly horn sound very melodic, sounding inspired by the late baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams (also a Jones/Lewis alum). For the gorgeous ballad "A Child is Born" (easily one of Jones' best tunes), Robinson creatively combines theremin as the lead voice with overdubbed alto clarinet to construct a unique treatment of this jazz standard, assisted by pianist Richard Wyands. Thad Jones' elder brother Hank makes a special appearance in a warm rendition of "All My Yesterdays" with Robinson playing a rich vibrato-filled tenor sax à la Ben Webster. This is no mere novelty release, but a thoughtful series of arrangements in honor of one of the best jazz composers of the 20th century. ~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/scott-robinson-plays-the-compositions-of-thad-jones-forever-lasting-scott-robinson-arbors-records-review-by-ken-dryden.php

Personnel: Scott Robinson: C-flute; C-melody sax, F-mezzo-soprano sax, tenor sax, thundersheet, bass sax, Eb-soprano flute, contrabass sarrusophone, theremin, alto clarinet, bell, echo cornet, French horn, flugelhorn;  Mike LeDonne: Hammond B-3 organ;  Richard Wyands: piano:  Hank Jones: piano;  Pat O’Leary; bass;  Dennis Mackrel: drums;  Klaus Suonsaari: drums.

Plays The Compositions Of Thad Jones: Forever Lasting

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Pamela Luss With Houston Person - Sweet and Saxy

Styles: Vocal And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:38
Size: 102,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:34)  1. Canadian Sunset
(4:08)  2. You Better Go Now
(3:44)  3. Star Eyes
(3:26)  4. Can't Get Out of This Mood
(3:28)  5. Why Was I Born?
(5:42)  6. Maybe You'll Be There
(3:56)  7. Nice 'n Easy
(5:31)  8. You Belong To Me
(2:18)  9. Don'cha Go Away Mad
(2:42) 10. Ain't No Sunshine
(5:04) 11. It's Too Late

Through three fine recordings, jazz vocalist Pamela Luss has stayed the course singing standards in her own inimitable, alluring fashion. Blessed with a solid vocal instrument that at-times wavers with a girlish fascination for pure or unrequited love, Luss gives it another go on this, her fourth album, backed up by Houston Person's working band featuring the excellent pianist John DiMartino, and at times guitarist James Chirillo. The lust Luss is able to conjure is hard to resist, as she stands tall and lean among these well-known songs, interpreted with just a dash of sass, a large portion of confidence, a slight vibrato, and an at-times lissome eye toward a hopeful future. 

Person works well with most singers (i.e. Etta Jones) but here he seems to feed off of the vocal lines Luss dishes out. They're clearly having fun trading phrases on occasion, or in retort when the vocalist makes statements like the come-and-run-away ballad "You Better Go Now," the light bossa nova take of "Can't Get Out Of This Mood," or the sensual, samba-tinged "You Belong to Me." Chirillo is particularly tasteful on the five numbers where he's added on, strumming like the seasoned Freddie Greene during "Nice & Easy," and diving into the shuffle "Teardrops from My Eyes" - more of this one please Ms. Luss! DiMartino is also the arranger of these selections, increasing the sophistication of tracks like the temptation calypso "Canadian Sunset," controlling the swing factor of "Star Eyes," or enhancing a bluesy feeling to "Why Was I Born?".

Perhaps the single track where Luss comes a bit out of her comfort zone is the playful "Don'tcha Go Away Mad," always a tongue-in-cheek favorite, as those asking for forgiveness while looking for an amicable exit from confrontation can relate to. This is a good combination of vocalist and backup band, one that could, at some point in time, explore a more down-home blues approach. While hers is a voice that does take some getting used to, she's refining her method with each recording, becoming a true professional interpreter of the tried-and-true American popular songbook. ~ Michael G.Nastos http://www.allmusic.com/album/sweet-and-saxy-mw0000824422

Personnel: Pamela Luss (vocals); James Chirillo (guitar); Houston Person (tenor saxophone); John Di Martino (piano); Willie Jones III (drums).

Sweet and Saxy

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Joel Weiskopf - The Search

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:27
Size: 147,8 MB
Art: Front

(6:45)  1. Edda
(7:50)  2. Bess, You Is My Woman Now
(6:21)  3. It Could Happen To You
(7:50)  4. Song For The Lost
(6:26)  5. Criss Cross
(6:29)  6. One For Karl
(9:21)  7. The Search
(7:46)  8. Red's Blues
(5:34)  9. My One And Only Love

The time was ripe for 37-year-old pianist Joel Weiskopf to make his maiden voyage as a leader. Known as the younger brother of tenor phenom Walt Weiskopf, Joel's seasoned experiences in music include nine years of training in classical piano, graduation from the New England Conservatory of Music, and gigs with Teddy Kotick, George Garzone, Tim Hagans, and Woody Herman. All this in addition to his much-valued contributions to brother Walt's Criss Cross catalog and a few other dates for the label as a sideman. What immediately impresses one about Joel's style is his total command of the instrument, his creative muse finding its voice without strain. Dense and incendiary as a McCoy Tyner one minute, he can be as tastefully sparse and melodic as influences Errol Garner and Ahmad Jamal the next. Variance and diversity mark the shrewd program of standards and originals heard here, with Weiskopf's range and versatility hinted at without turning things into an incoherent grab bag. 

Wayne Shorter's "Edda" provides the type of changes that Weiskopf just eats up with ease. He's also confident enough to try a turn at Monk's "Criss Cross" and does so in a manner that retains the tune's spirit, but let's his own poetic identity show through. The lengthy title track is a microcosm of taste and creativity, with the group interplay making for a seductive listen, but then bassist Peter Washington and drummer Billy Drummond are both quite a wonder throughout. Their musical integrity and ability to inspire make both of these talented men an asset to any fellow musician. How could you not be pushed to the max as a soloist with Peter and Billy around? So let's see, he's got ballads covered and up tempo romps, but can he handle the blues parlance? No problem, as "Red's Blues" more than amply demonstrates. Then, as if to resolve things on a quiet note, a stunning solo reading of "My One and Only Love" closes out a momentous debut. There's a whole lot of piano going on here and Joel's ability to establish himself as a major voice is without question. ~ C.Andrew Hovan http://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-search-joel-weiskopf-criss-cross-review-by-c-andrew-hovan.php

Personnel: Joel Weiskopf- piano, Peter Washington- bass, Billy Drummond- drums

The Search

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Erik Truffaz - The Walk Of The Giant Turtle

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:12
Size: 122,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:48)  1. Scody Pt. 1
(4:21)  2. Scody Pt. 2
(5:25)  3. King B
(7:07)  4. Flamingos
(4:25)  5. Turiddu
(5:50)  6. Next Door
(6:08)  7. Belle De Nuit
(4:27)  8. Wilfried
(6:46)  9. Seven Skies
(4:51) 10. The Walk Of The Giant Turtle

With the tension of his muted trumpet and the release of his open horn, Erik Truffaz walks on the back of a giant turtle representing planet Earth. His hip creations traverse continents as well as history. While jazz and electric fusion have remained faithful soul mates for over 30 years, the popular mix has always represented a thorn in the side of loyal, straight-ahead devotees. Most of the recordings issued by Miles Davis after 1969, after all, still pose questions in the minds of die-hard fans. Trumpeter Truffaz has created a powerful follow-up to last year’s Mantis, on which he sketched out drawings that connected the dots between cool jazz, world beat affairs, and tradition. This time out, Truffaz’s session sizzles with hot rock defiance, techno-dance energy and creative, in- your-face gestures.

”Seven Skies” heralds the approach of a passionate rock opera. “Flamingos” moves gracefully along dream-filled pathways. “King B” and “Next Door” strut to the heavy backbeat of a crowded dance floor. “Turiddu” and “Belle de Nuit” lay low with the sweet dreams of tomorrow. “Wilfried,” a personal favorite, offers intricate counterpoint behind the delicately woven and fresh open voice of Truffaz’s trumpet. To close the program, “The Walk of the Giant Turtle” stirs creative fires that all too often get left out in today’s business world where dollars carry more weight than artistic achievement. Kudos to Truffaz for his courage in seeing things his own way, with this recommended album as the fortuitous result. ~ Jim Santella  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-walk-of-the-giant-turtle-erik-truffaz-blue-note-records-review-by-jim-santella.php

Personnel: Erik Truffaz- trumpet; Patrick Muller- keyboards; Marcello Giuliani- electric bass; Marc Erbetta- drums.

The Walk Of The Giant Turtle

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