Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Harry Allen - The Bloody Happy Song

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2020
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:52
Size: 103,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:22) 1. The Bloody Happy Song
(3:13) 2. Sweet Little Things
(5:53) 3. I Got Lost in His Arms
(4:33) 4. Too Close for Comfort
(5:24) 5. The Summer Knows
(4:37) 6. More
(4:28) 7. Somebody I Just Met
(2:36) 8. Should I?
(5:59) 9. The Single Petal of a Rose
(3:44) 10. I Get Along Without You Very Well

Harry Allen is excited to announce the release of his latest CD, The Bloody Happy Song! Recorded exclusively during the pandemic lockdown, it is a totally new kind of recording for him and the one of which he is the most proud (of over 70 CDs as a leader). https://myemail.constantcontact.com/A-New-Kind-Of-CD-from-Harry-Allen.html?soid=1103577314899=iShI4H1q4qo

Stay healthy everyone!

"Harry Allen's playing is nothing less than perfect" - John Pizzarelli

The Bloody Happy Song

Thomas Marriott - Urban Folklore

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:07
Size: 99,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:15)  1. Apophis
(4:03)  2. The Tale of Debauchery
(5:27)  3. Room 547
(3:32)  4. Mo-Joe
(6:23)  5. What Emptiness Can Do
(3:23)  6. Locked Up (Theme From "The Shot Caller")
(6:01)  7. Living on the Minimum
(3:44)  8. I'm Vibing You
(6:14)  9. Washington Generals

Nothing has hit quite as hard as recent music from the trio of pianist Orrin Evans, bassist Eric Revis and Drummer Donald Edwards. The three musicians seek out (or probably are sought by) collaborators of equal weight and energy. It is not surprising that this recording of nine compositions, led by trumpeter and Seattle native Thomas Marriott, is a knockout from the opening number. Urban Folklore is Marriott's ninth as leader, and follows Dialogue (Origin Records, 2012) a live date in which Evans was a guest artist. "Apophis" whirls with the trumpeter's gentle yet passionate tone, drawing the trio into the mix, only to open into a blistering post-bop run. Marriott draws upon the shared language the three exhibited on Evans' trio disc ..."It was beauty" (Criss Cross, 2013) and also Edwards Evolution Of An Influenced Mind (Criss Cross, 2014), which included saxophonist Walter Smith III and guitarist David Gilmore.  Fans of Evans' Captain Black and Tarbaby bands will have much to celebrate here. Marriott stands toe-to-toe on the burners, including the funk-laid foundation of "The Tale Of Debauchery," a Freddie Hubbard mid-sixties inspired "Mo-Joe," and the ever-so-hip bouncing of "Living On The Minimum." He also delivers on the tender ballad "What Emptiness Can Do," with a benevolent trumpet sound that could easily be mistaken for a flugelhorn. Marriott's trumpet pulls from both the classic Blue Note hard bop sound and the modern textures heard from Dave Douglas and Ron Miles. With Urban Folklore the West Coast-meets-East Coast sound is the new cool. By Mark Corroto https://www.allaboutjazz.com/urban-folklore-thomas-marriott-origin-records-review-by-mark-corroto.php

Personnel: Thomas Marriott: trumpet; Orrin Evans: piano; Eric Revis: bass; Donald Edwards: drums.

Urban Folklore

Muriel Grossmann - The Light of the Mind

Styles: Contemporary Jazz
Year: 2024
Time: 46:22
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 107,8 MB
Art: Front

( 3:41) 1. Pointing Out - Part l
(12:00) 2. The Light of the Mind
( 6:35) 3. Unison Unveiled
(10:24) 4. Ultimate Awareness
( 8:12) 5. Eternal Laughter
( 5:28) 6. Pointing Out - Part II

Saxophonist Muriel Grossmann continues her transcendental journey with her 2024 release, The Light of the Mind. She reunites her quartet from her previous album, Devotion (Third Man Records, 2023), featuring guitarist Radomir Milojkovic, organist Abel Boquera, and drummer Uros Stamenkovic. That earlier album hinted at the direction taken here: a spiritually centered, unmistakably soulful exploration.

The album opens with "Pointing Out -Part I," which begins with a wash of vibrational atmospheres from organ and Moog. Stamenkovic's mallet work, reminiscent of Elvin Jones's drumming on "Psalm," sets a meditative tone, providing a foundation for Grossmann's commanding tenor saxophone. This bold opener establishes the quartet's mission: to affirm faith and music's power as a healing force.

The title track deepens this theme with a groove-oriented swing propelled by organ, drums, and Grossmann's expressive tenor saxophone, followed by a bluesy, fluid guitar solo from Milojkovic. The sound evokes the soulful energy of Brother Jack McDuff and George Benson. The funky R'n'B groove of "Unison Unveiled" conjures the spirit of groovy 1970s TV themes like Taxi and Barney Miller. Here, Grossmann switches to soprano saxophone, soaring over heavy, psychedelic grooves that pulse with life. On "Ultimate Awareness," Boquera's hypnotic, pulsing bass line anchors a rich tapestry of harp and percussion. Grossmann remains on soprano saxophone, joined by Milojkovic's blues-soaked guitar and Boquera's vibrant Hammond B3 organ. At just over 10 minutes, the track's infectious groove feels like it could easily extend into an hour-long rhapsody in a live performance. "Eternal Laughter" begins with a single bell strike, ushering in Grossmann on flute before a second bell signals the launch into a thrilling sprint. Switching to alto saxophone, Grossmann leads the charge, supported by organ, guitar, and drums in a joyous, energetic display.

The set concludes with "Pointing Out -Part II," serving as an apt coda. The quartet locks into a steady, marching beat, with organ and guitar providing sturdy support for Grossmann's verdant tenor saxophone tones. Together, they bring the album to a fittingly profound close, reinforcing the spiritual and soulful themes that define The Light of the Mind. By Mark Corroto
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-light-of-the-mind-muriel-grossmann-dreamlandrecords

Personnel: Muriel Grossmann - saxophone; Radomir Milojkovic - guitar, electric; Abel Boquera - organ, Hammond B3; Uros Stamenkovic - drums

The Light of the Mind