Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Andre Canniere - As Of Yet

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:36
Size: 141,3 MB
Art: Front

(11:55)  1. As Of Yet
( 7:05)  2. Bridges
( 6:17)  3. Accelerated Decrepitude
( 6:08)  4. The Rest
( 7:40)  5. Thirteenth Species (Live Bonus)
(14:01)  6. As Of Yet (Live Bonus)
( 8:28)  7. Accelerated Decrepitude (Live Bonus)

Trumpeter André Canniere's debut is aural evidence that good things can descend from the Ivory Tower. Every one of the players on As of Yet is an Eastman School of Music grad (Canniere in 2003), but they transcend the typical stereotypes often associated with university-trained musicians, the most common being that they "think" the music, rather than "feel" it. As this album shows, much of what used to be considered academic music has now been assimilated by a new generation of musicians who are as comfortable on the fringes as they are in the pocket. (In the interest of full disclosure, I've known several of these players for years.) The recording opens with the title track, a slowly building collection of intricate melodies over a rock-solid bass line from Ike Sturm. Canniere and saxophonist Josh Rutner step into the ring to bob and weave around each other as the piece builds to a climax. The loose but intricate tune would be quite at home on a Dave Douglas or Ben Allison record. Rutner opens "Bridges" in Brecker-Berg style an aspect of his playing that's come out more in his Latin work than in his main band, The Respect Sextet. The loping gospel melody is propelled by the rolling drums of Ted Poor, who's been making a name for himself over the past few years in a trio led by trumpeter Cuong Vu. "Accelerated Decrepitude" has a Balkan-influenced melody that leads into strong trumpet work from Canniere. 

Guitarist Ryan Ferreira opens the piece with long attack-less tones, then switches to pointed comping under the solos. One programmatic issue with the record is a preponderance of slow, airy tunes. After the opening two tracks, the disc could probably have done without "The Rest," another slow creeper. Cutting it, though, would mean doing without Ferreira's pointillistic and lovely guitar solo. It's not surprising that Ferreira is Canniere's guitarist of choice, given the trumpeter's previous work with Ben Monder, another guitarist who works wonders with wide-open spaces. The CD closes with three live tracks of better-than-bootleg quality recorded at various New York City clubs in 2005. Ryan Ferreira mutates into a different creature on "Thirteenth Species." Gone is the Frisell sound and Mack truck-sized space between each note, replaced by a driving fuzz chop that propels Rutner to screaming heights. Then the music takes another left turn and Poor and Ferreira start a monstrous Metallica march behind Canniere's solo. Heady stuff. Live versions of "As of Yet and "Accelerated Decrepitude close the recording. Despite a few more slow spots than necessary, As of Yet is a strong opening statement from Canniere, who has immersed himself in the New York scene with everyone from Maria Schneider and Donny McCaslin to the Westchester Chamber Orchestra and the New York Repertory Orchestra. His debut gives listeners a reason to wait at the bottom of the Ivory Tower to see what else might come down from the hallowed halls of academia. ~ Jason Crane https://www.allaboutjazz.com/as-of-yet-andre-canniere-omatic-records-review-by-jason-crane.php

Personnel: Andre Canniere: trumpet; Josh Rutner: tenor saxophone; Ryan Ferreira: guitar; Ike Sturm: bass; Ted Poor: drums.

As Of Yet

Bennie Wallace - The Free Will

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1980
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:15
Size: 99,6 MB
Art: Front

(9:25)  1. The Free Will
(4:30)  2. Sophisticated Lady
(7:50)  3. Star Eyes
(6:13)  4. Back Door Beauty
(6:05)  5. Walter
(9:11)  6. Paslom

An early set as a leader from tenorist Bennie Wallace  and one of his most heartfelt albums ever! Wallace has a tone that hearkens back to the warm raspiness of the Ben Webster/Lester Young generation  yet he also blows with a freer, more open quality that's quite contemporary too  mixing free moments and swinging passages together easily, almost a bit like Archie Shepp during his return to tradition in the late 70s! The group here really stretch strongly to move with Wallace's vision a quartet that features Tommy Flanagan on piano, Eddie Gomez on bass, and Dannie Richmond on drums sometimes playing a lot more out than you might expect. Titles include "Star Eyes", "The Free Will", "Back Door Beauty", "Paslom", and "Walter". CD features three bonus alternate takes too! (Part of the Enja Jazz Master Works series!)  © 1996-2018, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/880540/Bennie-Wallace:Free-Will

Personnel:  Bennie Wallace (saxophone), Tommy Flanagan (piano), Eddie Gomez (bass), Dannie Richmond (drums).

The Free Will

Lisa Hilton - Jazz After Hours

Styles: Piano Jazz 
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:33
Size: 83,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:33)  1. Malibu
(4:24)  2. Dance with Me
(3:27)  3. Waltz for Debby
(3:32)  4. Nocturne
(3:44)  5. All Blues
(3:12)  6. Just Do It
(3:53)  7. Secret Love
(2:57)  8. All That
(2:28)  9. Azure
(2:21) 10. When We Met
(2:57) 11. Listen to Your Heart

“Hilton leaves a signature so distinct and genuine that audiences call out for more consistently. One would say her Bill Evans style talent is powerful, however, I feel she is building a note by note, composition by composition, a true niche in jazz today, unlike any other. Ms. Hilton has staying power”. ~ Karl Stober/JazzTrenzz

“Remisiscent of some of Dave Brubeck’s work” ~ RJ Lannan/The Sounding Board

“A vibrant composer and exceptional pianist with the passion and panache few artists capture” ~ Karl Stober/JazzTrenzz

“‘Jazz After Hours’ is a great album for relaxing and reenergizing, a backdrop for an intimate dinner, or even good party music” ~ Kathy Parsons/Solo Piano Publications
“When Lisa tickles the keys in her unique, playful style, you know she’s having fun” 
~ Andy Parrish, General Manager/WVSU 

“Lisa has outdone herself with this album… exquisitely setting all the right moods with the help of some very talented musicians. I absolutely LOVE this album” ~ Eric Cohen, Music Director/WAER

“Very rarely does an artist come along with the versatility of moving between such diverse styles as to nail Gershwin’s My Love is Here to Stay’ then Jobim’s Girl From Ipanema, while saving just enough for my favorite, ‘Just For Fun” ~ Al Santos/WJZW https://lisahiltonmusic.com/jazz-after-hours-album/

Personnel:  Lisa Hilton/piano, Eric Marienthal/sax, Reggie McBride/bass, Tal Bergman/drums

Jazz After Hours