Randy Brecker & Ada Rovatti - Brecker Plays Rovatti - Sacred Bond

Styles: Trumpet and Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2019
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:01
Size: 170,6 MB
Art: Front

( 7:20)  1. Sacred Bond
( 8:39)  2. Helping Hands
( 8:36)  3. Reverence
(10:32)  4. The Baggae
( 5:20)  5. The Queen of Bibelot
( 8:31)  6. Britches Blue
( 5:25)  7. Brainwashed
( 5:42)  8. Mirror
( 7:04)  9. The Other Side of the Coin
( 6:47) 10. Quietly Me

Jackie and Roy Krall, Louis Prima and Keely Smith, Marian and Jimmy McParland all musically fruitful jazz marriages. The progression continues with Sacred Bond from trumpeter, Randy Brecker and saxophonist spouse Ada Rovatti. In some of the aforementioned cases, specifically Jackie and Roy, the duo are stylistically tied at the hip. Here, the respective styles of Brecker and Rovatti merge spectacularly two stellar musicians who happen to be an item. The result? A superb performance. Rovatti, a technically outstanding and creative saxophonist, delivers ten originals which are robust platforms on which she, Randy and the band can stretch out. The selections cover a diverse range of grooves from the plaintive title opener to the dramatically soulful "Reverence" (a respectful salute to Aretha Franklin), "Baggage," a varied-tempo textural statement (which thematically vaguely echoes Horace Silver's"Strollin'"), a soprano sax stated "Britches Blue,"a highlight that tips hat to the Prince of Darkness, the straight-ahead swinger, "The Queen of Bibelot," and a cuica-infused Latin-flavored take, "The Other Side of the Coin." The triple-metered, dynamic "Quietly Me" deals the "seal."  The most compelling component of this album is the combination of the Rovatti-Brecker improvisational styles. Rovatti, a modernist, favors longer, dynamically-enhanced ribbons that cover the range and timbre of her axes. No lick player, she grabs the thematic substance of the composition at hand and lets fly a Niagara of creativity. The Grammy-winning Brecker is on top of his game throughout. He is pari passu with his frontline partner and follows suit with exciting lines offering frequent hints of his Philly bebop roots. The ensemble is as good as it gets. Pianist David Kikoski (who offers a 3rd-degree solo on "The Queen of Bibelot") and ace rhythm mates shine bright across the date. No gimmickry here, just a connected team and its crew offering superb music. Sacred Bond invites, enthralls and is indeed a marriage well-played. ~NICHOLAS F. MONDELLO https://www.allaboutjazz.com/brecker-plays-rovatti-sacred-bond-randy-brecker-piloo-records-and-productions-llc

Personnel: Randy Brecker: trumpet; Ada Rovatti: saxophone; David Kikoski: piano; Alex Claffy: bass; Rodney Holmes: drums; Jim Beard: organ; Café’ Da Silva: percussion; Adam Rogers: guitar; Stella Brecker: vocals.

Brecker Plays Rovatti - Sacred Bond

---

The Modern Jazz Quartet - Longing for the Continent (Request)

Styles: Cool, Third Stream, Bop
Year: 1985/2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:17
Size: 90,5 MB
Scans: Front

(4:42)  1. Animal Dance
(4:45)  2. Django
(2:51)  3. England's Carol
(2:15)  4. Bluesology
(5:09)  5. Bag's Groove
(6:18)  6. Sketch 3
(7:31)  7. Ambiquite
(5:42)  8. Midsommer

The Modern Jazz Quartet is well documented on a number of outstanding labels, though there is only sketchy information about the background of this particular CD. Recorded in 1958 in Europe, probably from one or more radio broadcasts, the group is in top form, though the sound is at times a bit overmodulated. In addition to favorites like John Lewis' "Django," and Milt Jackson's "Bluesology" and "Bags' Groove," there are less frequently performed gems like "Animal Dance." Jackson's bluesy vibes are featured extensively, though Lewis' elegant piano is also a treat. The quartet is joined by the le Jazz Groupe de Paris on two tracks ("Sketch 3" and "Ambiquette"), primarily adding a bit of background color with reeds and brass with occasional solos, though no mention is made of the guests anywhere within the CD booklet or tray card. This budget CD, most recently available through Laserlight, falls short of being essential, though Modern Jazz Quartet fans will enjoy it.

Personnel:

Bass – Percy Heath
Drums – Connie Kay
Piano – John Lewis (2)
Vibraphone – Milt Jackson

Longing for the Continent

---

Davina & The Vagabonds - Sugar Drops

Styles: New Orleans Jazz
Year: 2019
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:11
Size: 87,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:03)  1. Bone Collection
(3:49)  2. I Can't Believe I Let You Go
(3:27)  3. Devil Horns
(3:39)  4. Little Miss Moonshine
(4:03)  5. Sugar Drops
(4:06)  6. Another Lonely Day
(3:52)  7. No Matter Where We Are
(4:07)  8. Mr. Big Talker
(3:31)  9. Magic Kisses
(3:29) 10. Deep End

2019 release. Sugar Drops is the first album on Red House Records from Davina and the Vagabonds and marks the first time singer/songwriter/pianist Davina Sowers entered a proper studio to record an album. The Minneapolis-based artist holed up in Nashville's Compass Sound Studio with producer (and Compass Records co-founder) Garry West, along with her trumpeter, string arranger and husband, Zack Lozier, and a rotating cast of powerhouse players including Todd Phillips (David Grisman, Robbie Fulks) on bass, Doug Lancio (Patty Griffin, John Hiatt, Tom Jones) on guitar and Reese Wynans (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Bonamassa) on Hammond B3. Sugar Drops is distillation of bluesy barroom baritone and bravado, graveyard jazz grooves, and noir-ish confessional lyricism backed by boisterous piano, guitar, and strings. Eclectic, engaging and instilled with a deep respect and knowledge for the Great American Songbook. https://www.amazon.com/Sugar-Drops-DAVINA-VAGABONDS/dp/B07SBCK59B

Sugar Drops

---