Bradley Leighton - Back To The Funk

Styles: Flute Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@224K/s
Time: 52:45
Size: 84,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:32)  1. Runaway
(5:08)  2. Flow
(4:29)  3. Back To The Funk
(4:30)  4. Midnight Affairs
(5:56)  5. Clear Blue Skies
(4:42)  6. Special Lady
(3:43)  7. Sunday In San Diego
(3:59)  8. Make It With You
(4:53)  9. Ready For You
(4:53) 10. Soul Moon
(4:53) 11. Love Light In Flight

Back to the Funk is an intentional throwback to early-'70s funky jazz, the type of music performed by flutist Herbie Mann and a little later by saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr. The R&B-ish grooves are catchy if predictable and the backup band is solid, with flutist Bradley Leighton in the lead nearly all of the time. Nothing unusual happens, but Leighton plays well over the vamps, sounding enthusiastic and reasonably creative within the genre. While eight of the 11 selections are recent originals, this could very easily be an album from 1972. Fans of that era's funky music will want to pick this one up. https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/back-to-the-funk/id91059200

Personnel: Bradley Leighton (alto flute); Scott "Tempo" Kyle, Scott Kyle (trombone); Allan Phillips (piano, keyboards, percussion, drum programming); Cecil McBee Jr. Back to the Funk songs (bass instrument); Evan Marks (guitar); John Rekevics (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Brad Steinwehe (trumpet); Duncan Moore (drums).

Back To The Funk

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Buddy Collette Big Band - In Concert

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:48
Size: 127.7 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[ 7:13] 1. Magali
[ 7:04] 2. Andre
[ 3:08] 3. Mr. And Mrs. Goodbye
[ 4:25] 4. Blues Number Four
[11:55] 5. Jazz By The Bay
[ 7:59] 6. Blues In Torrance
[ 7:00] 7. Point Fermin From Friendships Suite
[ 7:01] 8. Buddy Boo

Bass – Richard Simon; Cello – Fred Katz; Drums – Chico Hamilton, Leon Ndugu Chancler; Guitar – Al Viola; Piano – Gerald Wiggins; Trombone – Britt Woodman, Garnett Brown, George Bohanon, Les Benedict, Maurice Spears; Trumpet – Al Aarons, Anne King (2), Nolan Shaheed, Ronald Barrows; Woodwind – Ann Patterson, Buddy Collette, Ernie Fields, Jackie Kelson, John Stephens, Louis Taylor Jr., Steven Carr. Recorded at the Lincoln Theatre, Washington D.C.

A fluent multi-instrumentalist, and the composer of everything from TV jingles to chamber music to jam-session staples, Buddy Collette has tended to be a victim of his own versatility. But The Buddy Collette Big Band in Concert, which captures a 1996 performance in Washington, D.C., is probably his best calling card to date. For one thing, it demonstrates that the 75-year-old leader remains in fine form on the tenor sax, clarinet, and (especially) flute--check out his nuanced reading of "Blues in Torrance," and the way his ebullient solo keeps bumping up against the tune's descending harmonies. What's more, the disk showcases Collette's compositional gifts. He's concocted some rousing vehicles for his 19-piece band, and the bright, brassy arrangements on "Andre" and "Blues Number Four" suggest late-period Basie, alternating catchy riffing with piquant solo voices. Among the latter, Garnett Brown delivers some attractively gutbucket trombone, while saxophonist Louis Taylor comes out swinging on "Magali." There's also a guest appearance by the leader's old comrade-in-arms Chico Hamilton, who drives the ensemble through a heated version of "Buddy Boo." But despite his aversion to hogging the spotlight, this is clearly Collette's show--and it's about time, isn't it? ~James Marcus

In Concert

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Jay Azzolina - Present Tense

Styles: Jazz Contemporary
Year: 2025
Time: 46:47
File: MP3 @ 320
Size: 43,2 MB
Art: Front

(7:25) 1. Big Lou
(7:12) 2. Viracocha
(7:25) 3. I Choose You
(6:34) 4. Clarebelle
(6:28) 5. He's Back
(5:23) 6. It's All About You
(3:21) 7. Rhythms Change
(2:55) 8. While We're Here

Jay Azzolina is a contemporary jazz guitarist whose music bridges the legacy of post-bop with modern improvisation and fresh harmonic ideas. His latest album Present Tense showcases this blend beautifully bringing together soulful accordion lines, deep grooves, and harmonic textures that challenge and uplift the listener. Inspired by the idea of living in the moment, Present Tense reflects Jay's belief that music is one of the few places where we truly live in the present. With standout collaborators like bassist Dave Zinno, drummer Rafael Barata, and accordionist Sonny Barbato, the album pushes jazz into a bold, expressive space while staying rooted in Jay’s love for songwriting and melodic exploration.

After moving to the UK in August 2024, Jay has been active on the British and Welsh jazz scenes, performing with local musicians and bringing his creative voice to audiences across the region. He will perform in London at the 606 Club and serve as a clinician at the Wrexham International Guitar Workshop. Jay's summer plans include the Fishguard Jazz Festival and performances throughout Pembrokeshire. From early beginnings on trumpet, influenced by his father, to his eventual transition to guitar under the spell of Lenny Breau’s harmonies, Jay’s journey reflects his deep passion for musical evolution. His discography, including Never Too Late, Past Tense, and Live at One Station Plaza, continues to grow as he seeks to share his music on new platforms and connect with listeners around the world.https://www.truthrevolutionrecords.com/jay-azzolina

Present Tense

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Christian McBride - Without Further Ado, Vol 1

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2025
Time: 37:12
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 86,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:05) 1. Murder by Numbers
(3:49) 2. Back In Love Again
(4:19) 3. Old Folks
(6:19) 4. Moanin'
(3:16) 5. All Through The Night
(6:17) 6. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
(3:38) 7. Come Rain Or Come Shine
(4:27) 8. Op. 49 - Cold Chicken Suite, 3rd Movement

The fourth album by the 17-piece Christian McBride Big Band is nothing like your dad’s big band albums. Without Further Ado, Vol. 1 is as much a vocal album as a big band effort, and within those vocals lie several genres. Now, as surprising as that may sound, it is more typical of Christian McBride’s career than not. His versatility matches his virtuosity, and the former may well be his primary trait.

The opener unites two of the three members of The Police as Sting and guitarist Andy Summers proffer one of the band’s biggest hits, “Murder by Numbers.” The song was the B-side of “Every Breath You Take” and marks the first time the two bandmates have played together since the band’s 2007-2008 reunion tour. The tune also features solos from trumpeter Nabate Isles and percussion from the great guest Pedrito Martinez, arguably making it more powerful than the original. Many may be equally surprised to hear R&B great Jeffrey Osborne of the ‘70s group LTD, singing the group’s mega hit “Back in Love Again” to a funky backdrop featuring McBride’s eclectic bass and the punchy horns of the big band. McBride has long had a soft spot for R&B and says in the liner notes that he flashed back to seeing LTD at Philly’s Spectrum in 1979.

The abrupt segue brings us to the jazz standard “Old Folks” sung by the inimitable Grammy winner Samara Joy. The textures are much softer, aided by Warren Wolf on vibraphone, Todd Bashore on flute, and Carl Miraghi on bass clarinet. Longtime McBride collaborator Ron Blake delivers the tenor sax solo. Joy, of course, is an ‘old soul,” a perfect match for the song where she emotes like few can.

Jose James steps in for the standout rendition of Bobby Timmons’ “Moanin’.” James somehow meshes ’50s-’60s big band swing with the vintage soul of greats such as Lou Rawls and Ernie Andrews in this setting while still putting his signature brand of modern-day soul and R&B on the tune. Trombonist Steve Davis and trumpeter Freddie Hendrix deliver the bracing solos. Just listen to James take it out! “All Through the Night” has one of the more complex horn charts and terrific drumming from McClenty Hunter, not to mention the inventive vocal take from Cecile McLorin Salvant in a different arrangement of the tune that appeared on the big band’s 2017 album. Miraghi weighs in with a swinging baritone sax turn.

The incomparable Dianne Reeves has the uncanny ability to make any song her own as she does here with an intimate version of the 1960 hit by the Shirelles, “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” written by Carole King/Gerry Goffin. You can hear another version on Reeves’ 1997 That Day in an arrangement by Yellowjackets keyboardist Russell Ferrante. Yet, the swelling horns here and a sterling solo from another McBride longtimer, Steve Wilson, on soprano sax make this one special. McBride introduces vocalist Antoinette Henry, who attended his same high school in Philadelphia, CAPA, for a tender take on the standard “Come Rain or Come Shine,” tender until the explosive finale. (listen for that!)

McBride is also blessed with a sense of humor. “Opus 49, The Cold Chicken Suite” is his 49th composition and is dedicated to the official food of the working musician, cold chicken. He was commissioned to write a three movement suite by the North American Saxophone Alliance. This is the third movement, a relatively short piece that allows the big band to deliver the goods alone. Once again, tenorist Ron Blake is featured.

The diversity of music and the vocal star power on Without Further Ado, Vol.1 will inevitably garner deservedly high recognition. McBride says there will be just one more, Vol. 2,, with a different cast of vocalists. Stay tuned. By Jim Hynes
https://glidemagazine.com/316570/the-christian-mcbride-big-band-delivers-stunningly-diverse-without-further-ado-vol-1-album-review/

Without Further Ado, Vol 1

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