Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Mary LaRose - Out Here

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2021
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:26
Size: 120,8 MB
Art: Front

(6:59) 1. Gazzelloni
(5:07) 2. 245
(5:00) 3. Out There
(6:49) 4. Music Matador
(7:00) 5. Gw
(5:39) 6. Serene
(6:08) 7. Out to Lunch
(4:39) 8. Love Me
(5:01) 9. Warm Canto

Vocalist Mary LaRose has explored the instrumental music of jazz artists in the past, penning lyrics to the music of Thelonious Monk,Ornette Coleman, Albert Ayler, and Charles Mingus. Also included in her previous releases is the music of Eric Dolphy, who has always been a spirit guide for LaRose. With Out Here, she dedicates an entire album to Dolphy's compositions, plus a couple pieces tied to his legacy.

This session reminds you of the great Carmen McRae's Carmen Sings Monk (Novus, 1990). Like that recording, LaRose adds insight into and new appreciation of some classic compositions. Alongside partner Jeff Lederer, who plays clarinets, LaRose's ensemble includes Tomeka Reid (cello), Patricia Brennan (vibraphone, electronics), bassist Nick Dunston, and drummer Matt Wilson. Blending sung, spoken word, and scatting vocalese, the music is packed with ceaseless animation, with the arrangements by Lederer. LaRose's wordless duet with Wilson's drums opens "Gazzelloni" which blossoms into an infectious groove. Lederer's solo on clarinet (instead of Dolphy's choice of flute) pairs nicely with the solos of Reid, Brennnan, and Dunston. That funny word (a dedication to Italian flutist Severino Gazzelloni) is repeated, parsed, and spun as if in a blender, creating an addictive cocktail. LaRose emulates Annie Ross' surfing vocalese with "245" and "GW," the latter piece featuring Brennan's vibraphone skew wiffed with electronics. We also hear two poems.

Mal Waldron's "Warm Canto" is decorated with Patricia Donegan's "Lover's Wish," which LaRose speaks over the intertwined clarinets of Lederer, Isaiah Johnson and Cameron Jones, and Hallie Lederer's "Syncopation" becomes the spoken/sung lyrics to Dolphy's "Serene." Matt Wilson's contagious march informs the intricate classic "Out To Lunch," punctuated by Lederer's clarinet, Reid's cello, and LaRose's twisted tongue recital. Maybe the best tribute to Dolphy is the cover of Prince Lasha and Sonny Simmons' "Music Matador." LaRose matches the composition with acrobatic lyrics sung over the Afro-Caribbean sounds of salsa trombonist Jimmy Bosch and percussionist Bobby Sanabria with additional vocals by Maya Rose Lederer. Everybody, let's dance.
By Mark Corroto https://www.allaboutjazz.com/out-there-mary-larose-little-i-music

Personnel: Mary LaRose: voice / vocals; Jeff Lederer: saxophone, tenor; Tomeka Reid: cello; Patricia Brennan: vibraphone; Nick Dunston: bass; Matt Wilson: drums; Jimmy Bosch: trombone; Bobby Sanabria: drums; Isaiah Johnson: drums; Cameron Jones: clarinet; Maya Rose Lederer: voice / vocals.

Out Here

Betty Roché - Take The 'A' Train

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:33
Size: 95.1 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 1956/2014
Art: Front

[3:10] 1. Take The A Train
[4:00] 2. Something To Live For
[2:26] 3. In A Mellow Tone
[3:01] 4. Time After Time
[3:14] 5. Go Away Blues
[3:37] 6. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
[4:32] 7. Route 66
[3:45] 8. All My Life
[2:36] 9. I Just Got The Message Baby
[4:04] 10. All Too Soon
[3:15] 11. You Don't Love Me No More
[3:48] 12. September In The Rain

Conte Candoli/Trumpet; Eddie Costa/Vibraphone; Whitey Mitchell/Bass; Donn Trenner/Piano; Davey Williams/Drums; Betty Roche/Vocals.

This CD (put out by Evidence) brings back singer Betty Roché's definitive session. Although she had sung briefly with Duke Ellington on two occasions in 1943 and the early '50s, fame had eluded Roché. After this album she would record two more records (available in the Original Jazz Classics series) over the next few years and then disappear back into obscurity. Assisted by vibraphonist Eddie Costa, trumpeter Conte Candoli, pianist Donn Trenner, bassist Whitey Mitchell, and drummer Davey Williams, Roché is heard at her best on this set of standards. Highlights include a remake of "Take the 'A' Train" (she had previously recorded a classic version with Ellington), "Something to Live For," "Route 66," and "September in the Rain." Two additional versions of "Go Away Blues" round out the excellent release. ~Scott Yanow

Take The 'A' Train

Banu Gibson & Bucky Pizzarelli - Steppin' Out

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 55:34
Size: 127.2 MB
Label: Swing Out
Styles: Contemporary Jazz vocals, Easy Listening
Year: 2002
Art: Front

[4:16] 1. I Don't Know Enough About You
[3:19] 2. This Year's Kisses
[3:08] 3. Love's A Necessary Thing
[3:22] 4. Steppin' Out With My Baby
[4:08] 5. Memphis In June
[3:45] 6. It's A Woman's Prerogative
[3:19] 7. Put The Blame On Mame
[3:38] 8. Remember
[4:07] 9. There's A Lull In My Life
[5:15] 10. Me And The Blues
[3:56] 11. September Song
[5:07] 12. There Will Never Be Another You
[5:16] 13. Winter Moon
[2:50] 14. What'll I Do

This set is a change of pace for singer Banu Gibson, who is usually heard with her New Orleans Hot Jazz Band. Instead, she is accompanied by a quartet comprised of guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, her regular pianist David Boeddinghaus, bassist Bill Huntington, and drummer Jake Hanna, with occasional appearances by trumpeters Connie Jones or Jon-Erik Kellso and Brian Ogilvie on tenor and clarinet. Also a bit different is the repertoire, which, instead of being from the 1920s and '30s, dates primarily from the late '30s and 1940s. What is the same as in the past is the consistent high quality of Gibson's vocals and her enthusiasm and sensitivity for the music. Among the highlights are "I Don't Know Enough About You," "Memphis in June," "Put the Blame on Mame," "There's a Lull in My Life," and "There Will Never Be Another You." ~ Scott Yanow

Recorded on February 13-14, 2002.

Banu Gibson (vocals); Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar); Brian Ogilvie (tenor saxophone, clarinet); Jon-Erik Kellso, Connie Jones (trumpet); David Boeddinhaus (piano); Bill Huntington (guitar, bass); Jake Hanna (drums).

Steppin' Out

Bill Evans & Robben Ford - Common Ground

Styles: Jazz Fusion
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:05
Size: 129,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:20) 1. Ever Ready Sunday
(5:42) 2. Crabshaw Don't Care
(6:26) 3. Sentimental Mode
(8:11) 4. Hearts of Havana
(4:15) 5. Common Ground
(6:11) 6. Passaic
(7:27) 7. Stanley
(6:42) 8. Dennis the Menace
(6:46) 9. The Little Boxer

MPS is proud to announce the release of the newest project by Robben Ford and Bill Evans, called Common Ground on September 30th, 2022. The multiple times Grammy nominees Ford and Evans have shared the stage in Europe, North America and even Japan and already released a collaborative album called The Sun Room together in 2019 (earMUSIC). With the jazz rock album Common Ground they continue their creative relationship as Evans explains.

“Every now and then, like-minded musicians are able to get together in the studio or on the same stage and create interesting music together. It’s the blending of each other’s influences and styles, and the will to create something new and fresh that can turn this ‘creative meeting’ into something special. I believe myself and Robben share that same ideology. We both love all kinds of music whether it’s classic blues, soul, rock and roll, you name it. This openness to combine different kinds of music and create something musical and special is what brought me and Robben together in the first place. Robben composed some of the most inspiring music I’ve played in a long time. Our writing styles blend seamlessly.”

The first single and title track that was digitally released today features the vocals of popular German singer Max Mutzke, who finds the kindest words for this collaboration. “When I was a little boy, I went to Bill Evans concerts with my father. I listened to his music over and over. Bill has always been a musical inspiration for me. Now he is my friend and that is an incredible joy for me. What a great person. At his request, I am singing a song on his and Robben’s album. It's a dream come true.”

Recorded in Nashville, the jazz rock album features a first-class rhythm section with bassist Darryl Jones (recording and touring with the Rolling Stones since 1993 and former sideman of Miles Davis and Sting) and drummer Keith Carlock (currently a touring member of Steely Dan). It was produced by Bill Evans and Clifford Carter, who also took over the piano and organ on the title track.

Robben Ford about the recording: “It’s always a great and sought-after pleasure to work with some of the best musicians in contemporary music, and making this record was for me one of those occasions. We have, each of us, worked with one another in different configurations in the past, so, there is a comfort level in that. But more importantly, everyone involved is a dedicated musician who’s first thought is to make the best music possible in any situation. Such a joy for me, personally, to play with these gents! Bill and I have worked quite a lot together over the past several years. But, the opportunity given to us by Edel to finally document the music has happily resulted in two recordings that we are very proud of the first being “Sun Room" released on earMUSIC and now Common Ground on MPS.

I feel the music presented here is “fresh" in both composition and performance with all of the musicians being versatile, true improvisers and having a strong sense of groove, as well. These are the qualities that make you want to play! I’m so happy to have been a part of what lead to this record.”

About Robben Ford: Robben Ford is an American rock, blues and jazz guitarist. Ex-member of fusion pioneers Yellowjackets, he is admired for his solo works but also known for his collaborations with giants of music like Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, George Harrison and many others. He comes from a generation of Californian musicians who contributed to eliminate boundaries between different genres, often writing and performing timeless music that will stand the test of time.

About Bill Evans: Bill Evans is an American saxophonist, pianist and producer who has recorded 26 solo albums to date. He has played, toured and recorded with artists such as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and John McLaughlin to name a few before spending the last 30 years touring with his own groups worldwide and receiving wide recognition as a true renaissance man.
By MPShttps://www.allaboutjazz.com/news/robben-ford-and-bill-evans-new-album-common-ground-out-on-september-30th-on-mps/

Personnel: Saxophone, Keyboards [Keys] – Bill Evans; Guitar, Mellotron [Mellowtron] – Robben Ford; Bass – Darryl Jones; Drums – Keith Carlock

Common Ground