Carmen Lundy - Code Noir

Styles: Vocal 
Year: 2017
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:22
Size: 122,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:50)  1. Another Chance
(4:41)  2. Live Out Loud
(3:51)  3. Black and Blues
(4:30)  4. Whatever It Takes
(4:53)  5. Afterglow
(3:41)  6. Second Sight
(4:38)  7. The Island, The Sea and You
(5:36)  8. I Keep Falling
(5:07)  9. I Got Your Number
(4:54) 10. You Came into My Life
(2:56) 11. Have a Little Faith
(4:40) 12. Kumbaya

Fantastic work from Carmen Lundy one of our favorite jazz singers of all time, and an artist who keeps on giving us her best as the years go on! This album's definitely some of Carmen's best as it features the singer working with a wonderful group that includes Jeff Parker on guitar, Patrice Rushen on piano, Ben Williams on bass, and Kendrick Scott on drums a tight core combo who really find a way to push Lundy's energy even more than usual while Carmen herself handles other keyboards with her vocals, and serves especially righteous material! There's a bit more politics here than on previous records perfect for the spirit of the moment but Carmen also mixes a lot of warmth and love into her music as well. Titles include "Black & Blues", "Afterglow", "Whatever It Takes", "I Keep Falling", "The Island The Sea & You", "Have A Little Faith", and "Another Chance". © 1996-2017, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/823955/Carmen-Lundy:Code-Noir

Carmen Lundy: vocals, keyboards, guitar, background vocals; Patrice Rushen: piano; Ben Williams: acoustic and electric bass; Kendrick Scott: drums, percussion; Jeff Parker: electric guitar; Elisabeth Oei: background vocals track 7.

Code Noir

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Brian Blade - Brian Blade Fellowship

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:59
Size: 142,7 MB
Art: Front

( 9:31)  1. Red River Revel
( 7:26)  2. The Undertow
(11:06)  3. Folklore
( 4:21)  4. In Spite Of Everything
( 7:46)  5. Lifeline
( 9:11)  6. Mojave
( 4:34)  7. If You See Lurah
( 8:00)  8. Loving Without Asking

Brian Blade Fellowship is an impressive debut as a leader for Brian Blade, one of the best young jazz drummers of the '90s. Producer Daniel Lanois doesn't follow jazz conventions, letting Blade run wild and blend genres, as on "Folklore," where the adventurous, searching jazz meets pygmy chants. All across the album, there is the sigh of a steel guitar, which adds an unusual, exotic texture to a debut that is uniquely daring and richly rewarding. ~ Leo Stanley https://www.allmusic.com/album/brian-blade-fellowship-mw0000037563

Personnel:  Brian Blade – drums; Melvin Butler – soprano and tenor saxophones; Jon Cowherd – piano, Wurlitzer; Dave Easley – pedal steel guitar; Daniel Lanois – mando guitar; Jeff Parker - acoustic guitar; Christopher Thomas – acoustic bass; Myron Walden – alto saxophone; Kurt Rosenwinkel – electric Guitar

Brian Blade Fellowship

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Nicole Mitchell - Awakening

Styles: Flute Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:39
Size: 148,3 MB
Art: Front

( 7:01)  1. Curly Top
( 9:08)  2. Journey On A Thread
( 7:07)  3. Center Of The Earth
( 2:47)  4. Snowflakes
(11:40)  5. Momentum
( 8:58)  6. More Than I Can Say
( 6:24)  7. There
( 6:07)  8. F.O.C.
( 5:23)  9. Awakening

Flautist Nicole Mitchell's generous improvisational abilities are at the musical heart of Awakening. Not only does she move effortlessly from single-note lines and sliding honks to wispy, soft timbres, but she is equally comfortable moving from pure melodic phrasing to more experimental, free content. Coupled with an exceptional trio backing, Mitchell's album crackles with infectious spontaneity. Her music manages to be at once reflective and energetic, accessible as well as clever. "Curly Top" kicks of the set in a laidback groove, with splendid give and take between lead flute and guitarist Jeff Parker's fluid comping. In fact, Mitchell and Parker's musical synergy is key to the album's success. Again and again they fortify each other's musical flights with perfect harmonic support, giving the music a wide sonic texture and cleverly making the most of its melodic landscape. Behind them, Harrison Bankhead's bass and Avreeayl Ra's percussion team up to lay down a funky groove, pushing each other along in creative, rhythmic accents. On "F.O.C." and the title track, the quartet also plays with a straight-ahead feel and rides out the melody for all it's worth, weaving loping, angular solos into an established song structure.  On other tracks, though, the band breaks more dramatically from straight forms and moves into avant-garde territory. Both "Journey On A Thread" and "Center of The Earth" incorporate progressive musical experimentation while retaining a semblance of melodic structure. And the band is as tight and unified in the experimental modes as they are in the more traditional aspects of the songs. This balancing act results in music both exciting and approachable, and makes Awakening a vibrant musical statement. ~ Jack Huntley https://www.allaboutjazz.com/awakening-nicole-mitchell-delmark-records-review-by-jack-huntley.php
 

Personnel: Nicole Mitchell: flute;  Jeff Parker: guitar;  Harrison Bankhead: bass;  Avreeayl Ra; drums, percussion.

Awakening

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Peter Erskine - Dr. Um

Styles: Jazz, Fusion
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:21
Size: 138,0 MB
Art: Front

(0:28)  1. You're Next
(4:47)  2. Lost Page
(5:46)  3. Hawaii Bathing Suit
(6:33)  4. Bourges Buenos Aires
(5:11)  5. Little Fun K
(6:32)  6. Mahler
(3:41)  7. Sage Hands
(5:52)  8. Okraphilia
(6:11)  9. Speechless
(4:24) 10. Sprite
(9:35) 11. Northern Cross
(0:17) 12. You Awake

It would appear that this project has awakened the Peter Erskine of yore, the drummer who became legend while cresting the waves of fusion with Weather Report and Steps Ahead. In recent years Erskine's drumming has been spare, elegant, open, and, in enough instances, lightly swinging. If one word would come to mind to describe that playing, it would be "tasteful." But does that automatically mean that joining forces with some plugged-in players and laying down some funk and fusion numbers is the antithesis of that ideal? Absolutely not. Erskine doesn't have a tasteless bone in his body. Musicality is of the utmost importance in his every groove, solo, fill, and mini-gesture, and he always plays for the situation at hand. In this case, the situation requires Erskine to don the mask of Dr. Um, the man who knows how to point you toward whatever rhythmic prescription you seek. Looking for a soulful jam situation? You'll find it on keyboardist John Beasley's irresistible "Okraphilia." Hoping to find a direct nod to Weather Report? It's here in the form of a wonderful, sonically-updated "Speechless." Need a party piece? Look no further than Erskine's own "Hawaii Bathing Suit," a dance-friendly fusion-calypso hybrid that's non-stop fun. Is slick, understated funk more your bag? Then "Lost Page" or "Little Fun K" should fit the bill. Any and every musical question has its right answer, and every track gets the perfect feel from Erskine not too economical, not too busy, and right on the money when it comes to style. Most who were never smitten with fusion aren't likely to be won over by this date, but those in that group who were turned off mostly by its aggressive advances may take to this music. Erskine, keyboardist John Beasley, bassist Janek Gwizdala and several other notables, like saxophonist Bob Sheppard, demonstrate that fusion isn't really about muscle. It's about a readiness and willingness to bring different elements together, and Erskine does so beautifully on this album. ~ Dan Bilawsky https://www.allaboutjazz.com/dr-um-peter-erskine-fuzzy-music-review-by-dan-bilawsky.php

Personnel: Peter Erskine: drums; John Beasley: keyboards; Janek Gwizdala: electric bass; Bob Sheppard: tenor saxophone; Jeff Parker: guitar; Larry Koonse: guitar (10); Aaron Serfaty: congas, bongos, cowbell (2); Jack Fletcher: spoken word vocals.

Dr. Um

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Jeff Parker - The Relatives

Styles: Guitar Jazz 
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:51
Size: 93,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:25)  1. Istanbul
(6:06)  2. Mannerisms
(3:31)  3. Sea Change
(6:26)  4. When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You
(3:26)  5. Beanstalk
(5:55)  6. The Relative
(5:00)  7. Toy Boat
(6:58)  8. Rang

Jeff Parker's second session as a leader, The Relatives, surprises by taking easygoing mainstream flavors and, stirring with spice, manages to honor the forms while tweaking them. Parker's regular rhythm section, Chris Lopes on bass and NY-Chicago drum machine Chad Taylor on percussion, keep the momentum crisp. Parker's earnest and deliberate delivery plays off space, often adding the right pinch of Grant Green. Frothy wah-wahed chords yawn through Taylor's brushed cymbals on "Istanbul. Parker winds a wiry line around the atmospheric accompaniment. Sam Barsheshet revisits his days in a Herbie Hancock cover band on Parker's "Mannerisms. His splashy electric piano invites clear measured musing from Parker. His candy-toned keyboard solo keeps the sweet soul jazz riff pumping. Lopes' "Sea Change takes the bassist to challenging unisons with Parker and a dexterous workout on his own. Marvin Gaye's "When Did You Stop Loving Me gets a solidly swinging interpretation with Barsheshet brisk on the cool keys, and Parker's double-tracked guitar skates through the changes. Lopes' "Beanstalk features the composer on flute for a Ben Allison feel. Parker dances through the sunny tune, the rhythm section percolating along. Mostly percussion and flanged guitar, "The Relative references physics more than family. When the Latin-tinged groove coalesces, Parker overdubs his thematic variances. Toy Boat keeps the band in tight step for Parker's economical and unpredictable additions. "Rang sets a two-note pattern that allows Taylor to stretch out impressively. Lopes explores the poles, and Barsheshet detours into radiant shimmer.  With accessible, catchy melodies and enthusiastic performances, Parker and company make it a pleasure to have The Relatives stay for awhile.~Rex Butters https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-relatives-jeff-parker-thrill-jockey-review-by-rex-butters.php

Personnel:  Jeff Parker, guitar;  Chris Lopes, bass;  Chad Taylor, drums;  Sam Barsheshet, electric piano.

The Relatives

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Jeff Parker Trio - Bright Light In Winter

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:26
Size: 112,1 MB
Art: Front

(6:32)  1. Mainz
(4:49)  2. Swept Out To Sea
(5:10)  3. Change
(5:31)  4. Freakadelic
(3:13)  5. The Morning Of The 5th
(5:01)  6. Occidental Tourist
(6:07)  7. Bright Light Black Site
(5:22)  8. Istvan
(6:38)  9. Good Days

Chicago-based guitarist Jeff Parker has cut his proverbial teeth with the Association for Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) and remains an active member of that group. His own work is very much in the spirit of the AACM's musical philosophy, but enhanced by his unique vision that draws from all sources of improvised music including but not limited to jazz.  His third release as a leader, Bright Light in Winter, finds the guitarist in a lean setting with fellow Chicago Underground Orchestra members, drummer Chad Taylor and bassist Chris Lopes, blurring the distinction between composition and improvisation on nine originals by the members of the trio.  The music is generally modal and edgy with the right amount of dissonance to keep things engaging. "Swept Out to Sea," for example, is a minor-key sonata, with Parker logically building on the melody in an almost baroque structure.  All three musicians are masters of utilizing pauses and silent intervals to enhance and punctuate their notes and beats. The calypso "Bright Light Black Site" features Lopes' richly hued strings together with Taylor's lightly percussive cymbals weaving a shell into which Parker pours his sparse and lyrical textures.

The blending of genres is present throughout the album as on the Tzigane-esque "Istvan" that opens with Lopes' rich, horn-like bass solo, buoyed by Parker's occasional and properly timed strumming. Taylor keeps time and creates a hypnotic vamp that adds to the tune's mystery. These explorations are not limited to world music, but also expand to rock in a couple of fusion pieces. On the quietly balladic "Change," Taylor's rocking percussion is featured, while Parker and Lopes' duet is like a psychedelic dance adorned by the electronic accents. This sublime and contemplative record is best appreciated when heard from beginning to end in a single sitting; conceptually and harmonically, the tracks bleed into each other, creating a cohesive entity that is much more than just the sum of its parts. ~ Hrayr Attarian https://www.allaboutjazz.com/bright-light-in-winter-jeff-parker-delmark-records-review-by-hrayr-attarian.php
 

Personnel:  Jeff Parker: guitar and electronics;  Chris Lopes: bass, flute and electronics;  Chad Taylor: drums, percussion.

Bright Light In Winter

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