Showing posts with label Lonnie Plaxico. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lonnie Plaxico. Show all posts

Thursday, July 2, 2020

Lonnie Plaxico - West Side Stories

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:27
Size: 151,5 MB
Art: Front

( 6:41)  1. West Side Stories
( 7:22)  2. Climb Every Mountian
( 3:30)  3. I Want It To Be
( 6:27)  4. Robin's Dance
( 3:45)  5. One Less Bell To Answer
(10:06)  6. Funkadelic
( 6:03)  7. I Want To Know What Love Is
( 3:50)  8. Longer
( 7:15)  9. Duke It Out
( 6:56) 10. Speaking In Tongues
( 3:27) 11. Your Love Speaks To Me

West Side Stories, Lonnie Plaxico's eleventh recording as a leader, draws from memories of growing up in Chicago and listening to a variety of sounds from the '70s R&B, popular music and smooth jazz as well as his collaboration in the development of advanced M-Base musical concepts in the '80s. To coin a phrase from none other than the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, Plaxico might just be one the hardest working bassists in the business. He is a player with clear abilities, intensity and keen ideas who has contributed to many recordings, including releases by Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, Greg Osby and Cassandra Wilson.

The credits for the recording suggest an M-base class reunion. Prominent stars like vocalist Cassandra Wilson and saxophonists Gary Thomas and Steve Coleman bring their progressive skills to the project. Starting with the title track, "West Side Stories, you get a hint of Plaxico's flair for music off the beaten path, complete with turbulent ostinato patterns and killer horn arrangements. Even though the bass is somewhat lost the in mix, the band handles the complex arrangement precisely, thanks to tight writing and performance. Bringing back the memories of yesteryear, covers include Burt Bacharach's "One Less Bell to Answer (featuring Steve Coleman's alto sax and Cassandra Wilson's smoky vocals) and a jazz radio-friendly version of the '70s rock group Foreigner's hit "I Want To Know What Love Is (featuring Carla Cook on vocals). Though Plaxico brings the funk on a number of tunes impressively via some serious thumb-slapping on his electric axe, upbeat joints like "Speaking in Tongues Out become exhausting and repetitious. Yet the slower tunes, "I Want It to Be and the smooth "Your Love Speaks to Me, both sung by Wilson, linger all the more in this somewhat mixed bag of new and old grooves by a clearly talented bassist.~ Mark F.Turner https://www.allaboutjazz.com/west-side-stories-lonnie-plaxico-plaxmusic-review-by-mark-f-turner.php

Personnel: Lonnie Plaxico: all basses, keyboard (3); Cassandra Wilson:vocals (3,5,8,11); Carla Cook: vocals (7); Gary Thomas: tenor sax (1,2,4,6,7,9,10); Ravi Coltrane: alto sax (6); Steve Coleman: alto sax (5,8); Gary Pikard: tenor sax (8); David Lee Jones: alto sax (11); Alex Norris: trumpet (1,2,4,6,7,9,10); Jeff Hermason: trumpet (8); Kenny Growhowski: drums; Jeff Haynes:percussion (3,8,11); Khalil Kwame Bell:percussion (6,7,11); George Colligan:B3 organ, piano, Fender Rhodes.

West Side Stories

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Robin Eubanks and Mental Images - Get 2 It

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 73:30
Size: 169,7 MB
Art: Front

(8:02)  1. Metamorphos
(5:32)  2. Get 2 It
(5:23)  3. Essi
(2:16)  4. REM State
(6:38)  5. Blues for Jimi
(8:36)  6. Cross Currents
(5:57)  7. RNB-First Take
(6:26)  8. Sabanna
(8:53)  9. House of Jade
(5:13) 10. Reunion
(5:57) 11. Indo
(4:31) 12. AudioNotes

Robin Eubanks' electronic trombone is something else. Horn players have been trying for decades to create a vocal-like sound on their instruments. The plunger mute helped brass players when jazz was young. The electronic saxophone and EWI have allowed reed players to play harmony and create inspiring effects; yet, neither instrument has allowed sufficiently for vocal effects. Instead, flute players achieve their vocal effects through ' well ' vocalizing. Over the years, creative artists such as Lester Bowie have experimented with natural-sounding vocal sounds expressed through a horn. Eubanks' session comes a long way from early tailgate trombone and the timeless junior high school antics of creating kissing sounds or a horse's holiday neigh through the trumpet. Combining hard core electronic experimentation with down-to-earth trombone artistry, Eubanks brings his latest album to a wider audience. Singing the blues, he works the electronic trombone through "Blues for Jimi," resembling the wordless vocals of scat singing. The fascinating sounds, while somewhat eerie at times, are placed in a tasteful jazz environment. A blues organ trio supports Eubanks as it would any emotional singer. Only the title track contains actual vocal expression. The other vocal-like exhibitions are through the electronic trombone. Several selections place Eubanks' trombone in a sextet format with modern mainstream originals. His brother, Duane, joins on trumpet for some hard bop hitting. A propelling rhythm section drives both brothers forcefully. Samples of two of the album's tracks are available at the trombonist's mp3 site . Showing his true potential, Eubanks performs "Essie," a lovely trombone ballad, with Kevin Eubanks' acoustic guitar accompanying. Having recorded six CDs as a leader, Robin Eubanks has proven that he has an unyielding respect for jazz's traditions. Placed in this context, his highly individualized, singing, electronic trombone makes a warm addition to the jazz world and should encourage others to explore similar new avenues for expression. 
~ Jim Santella https://www.allaboutjazz.com/get-2-it-robin-eubanks-rem-review-by-jim-santella.php

Personnel: Robin Eubanks (trombone & electric trombone); Duane Eubanks (trumpet); Kevin Eubanks (acoustic guitar); Maya Azucena (vocals); George Colligan, Michael Cain (keyboards); Lonnie Plaxico, Dave Holland (bass); Billy Kilson, Gene Jackson (drums); Mino Cinelu (percussion)

Get 2 It

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Andrew Hill - But Not Farewell

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:22
Size: 146,1 MB
Art: Front

( 7:20)  1. Westbury
( 7:12)  2. But Not Farewell
( 8:28)  3. Nicodemus
(17:19)  4. Georgia Ham
( 5:44)  5. Friends
( 3:44)  6. Sunnyside
(13:32)  7. Gone

This is a recommended set of stimulating post-bop jazz. Andrew Hill's highly distinctive piano playing and unusual compositions hint at the past while following their own rules. The feeling of polyrhythms is present in several of Hill's seven compositions on this CD. The tightness of the bass-drum team (Lonnie Plaxico and Cecil Brooks) is quite impressive, as is the blend of Robin Eubanks' warm trombone and Greg Osby's alto. Osby's angular improvisations, which seem out of place in standard bebop, sound perfectly at home in Andrew Hill's music. "Friends" features the altoist's lyricism in a duet with the pianist. Although the final two numbers (including the 13-and-a-half-minute freely improvised "Gone") are solo piano performances, it is the quintet tracks with Osby and Eubanks that are the main reason to acquire this disc. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/but-not-farewell-mw0000263609

Personnel:  Andrew Hill - piano; Greg Osby - soprano saxophone (tracks 1-3), alto saxophone (tracks 4 & 5); Robin Eubanks - trombone (tracks 1-4); Lonnie Plaxico - bass (tracks 1-4); Cecil Brooks III - drums (tracks 1-4)

But Not Farewell

Monday, May 13, 2019

Lonnie Plaxico - Emergence

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:33
Size: 147,9 MB
Art: Front

(0:31)  1. The Mahayana (Great Vehicle) - Interlude
(4:58)  2. Transformation
(4:05)  3. Delusion
(4:12)  4. Emergence
(1:00)  5. Paramita (To Arrive at the Other Side) - Interlude
(7:34)  6. Libertarian
(3:51)  7. Changing Line
(5:37)  8. Emancipation
(7:34)  9. Red Light District
(2:29) 10. Sokoni (From the Sea) - Interlude
(5:39) 11. Equilibrium
(1:02) 12. 2 Bass - Interlude
(4:44) 13. Inner Voice
(2:39) 14. Kalomo (The Unexpeced) - Interlude
(6:30) 15. Matrix
(1:00) 16. Oji (The Gift Bearer) - Interlude

Emergence begins with a bang but then goes gradually downhill. Plaxico alternates between acoustic and electric bass, and mightily tries to reconcile the jazz and funk elements of his vision. Although most tracks feature driving rhythms, incredibly intricate horn writing, and compelling solos, the album grows numbingly repetitive as it proceeds. On the jazz side, "Transformation" begins the record with riveting post-bop fire, while "Libertarian" and "Red Light District" provide new perspectives on the standards "Dear Old Stockholm" and "Love for Sale," respectively. On the funk side, "Delusion" and "Emancipation" stand out, recalling the dissonant colors heard on Sam Rivers' acclaimed 1999 album Inspiration. But Plaxico seems to run low on ideas by the time he gets to "Equilibrium," "Inner Voice," and Chick Corea's "Matrix." Six brief interludes featuring bass and/or percussion are interspersed throughout the program, yielding mixed results the most effective being "Paramita (to arrive at the other side)." Monster players abound, including the wonderful Don Braden on saxophones, Ralph Alessi on trumpet, and Jason Moran on piano. Emergence is also distinguished by several lesser known but highly capable musicians: Larry Lunetta on trumpet, Tim Hegarty on sax, Eric Lewis on piano and organ, Lionel Cordew on drums, and Jeffrey Haynes on percussion. Haynes produced the interludes, and noted vocalist Cassandra Wilson, for whom Plaxico has served as musical director, produced the main tracks. ~ David R.Adler https://www.allmusic.com/album/emergence-mw0000055907

Personnel:  Lonnie Plaxico (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar); Tim Hegarty (saxophone, tenor saxophone); Don Braden (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Ralph Alessi, Larry Lunetta (trumpet); Eric Lewis (piano, electric piano, organ); Jason Moran (piano); Lionel Cordew (drums, percussion); Jeff Haynes (percussion)

Emergence

Thursday, May 9, 2019

Lonnie Plaxico - Melange

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:54
Size: 140,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:44)  1. Squib Cakes
(4:57)  2. Melange
(5:09)  3. Darkness
(7:22)  4. Short Take
(5:28)  5. Miles II
(5:43)  6. Paella
(5:31)  7. Sunday Morning
(5:34)  8. Beloved
(6:37)  9. T.O.P.
(4:59) 10. Patois
(4:45) 11. Windy City

Lonnie Plaxico’s Blue Note debut is similar in thrust to last year’s Emergence (Savant). The emphasis is on funk, yet the frequent complexity of Plaxico’s writing harks back to his M-Base roots, especially on tunes like "Short Takes," "T.O.P.," "Patois," and the title track. Apparently the disc grew out of two different sessions the first with Tim Ries on sax and Lew Soloff on trumpet, the second with regular band members Marcus Strickland and Jeremy Pelt in their stead. George Colligan handles the main piano and keyboard duties, with Helen Sung contributing a couple of stunning solos along the way. Lionel Cordew and Jeffrey Haynes play drums and percussion, respectively, as they did on the previous record. As was the case with Emergence, Plaxico begins to repeat himself as the record wears on. And the opening cover of "Squib Cakes," by Tower of Power, seems insubstantial next to the original material. That said, the improvisation is often hair-raising, and the ballads, "Darkness" and "Beloved," are effective changes of pace. On the flip side, the speed-funk finale, "Windy City," is a blast. ~ David Adler https://www.allaboutjazz.com/melange-lonnie-plaxico-blue-note-records-review-by-david-adler.php

Personnel: Lonnie Plaxico- Bass, Lew Soloff- Trumpet (tracks 1-5), Jeremy Pelt- trumpet (tracks 6-11). Tim Ries- Saxophone (tracks 1-5), Marcus Strickland- Saxophone (tracks 6-11) George Colligan- piano, keyboards (except #5), Helen Sung- piano, keyboards (#2, 5, 6), Lionel Cordew- drums, Jeffrey Haynes- percussion.

Melange

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Lonnie Plaxico - Rhythm & Soul

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2003
File: MP3@224K/s
Time: 59:22
Size: 95,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:14)  1. Rhythm & Soul
(6:24)  2. Kyeko
(5:36)  3. The Time
(6:20)  4. Slow Dance
(5:36)  5. Always Crazy
(5:41)  6. Don't Explain
(3:06)  7. Soul Eye's
(5:43)  8. Dark Side
(5:32)  9. I'll Wait And Pray
(5:37) 10. Weather Report
(4:29) 11. 'Tis So Sweet

Lonnie Plaxico is a tremendous bassist and session man. His eighth album as a leader spotlights his brilliance in several areas, from gently, yet substantially backing vocalists to working both alone and with large combos. Plaxico uses Mal Waldron’s “Soul Eyes” as a set piece to demonstrate his impressive solo bass facility, delivering a stunning melodic embellishment, then a dazzling improvisation working off it. On “‘Tis So Sweet,” a traditional gospel tune, he smoothly glides underneath vocalist Aneilia Lomax and pianist Arene Lomax, punctuating and extending their leads while turning the song into a majestic concluding work. The disc’s small-group pieces tend to be either intimate ballads, such as the poignant cover of “Don’t Explain” or “I’ll Wait and Pray,” where the unison interaction between Plaxico, pianist/organist George Colligan and drummer Billy Kilson is augmented by careful, intense playing from either trumpeter Jeremy Pelt or tenor/soprano saxophonist Marcus Strickland. The edgier, looser pieces feature bigger units, mainly sextets, on “The Time,” “Weather Report” and “Slow Dance,” but most notably the first-rate octet number “Always Crazy.” Rather than simply churning out another hard blowing piece, Plaxico reserves solos for Pelt and Strickland, getting fiery, expressive and disciplined statements from them, and strong complementary efforts from everyone else. Though the sextet tunes, particularly “Weather Report,” are crisply played, they’re not quite as explosive or memorable as “Always Crazy,” which stands as the best number on a very good record. https://jazztimes.com/reviews/albums/lonnie-plaxico-rhythm-and-soul/

Personnel:  Double Bass, Electric Bass – Lonnie Plaxico; Drums – Billy Kilson; Piano – Arene Lomax; Piano, Organ – George Colligan; Tenor Saxophone – Wayne Escoffery; Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Marcus Strickland; Trumpet – Alex Sipiagin, Jeremy Pelt; Vocals – Aneilia Lomax (tracks: 11)

Rhythm & Soul