Guerin always puts in a solid performance and is accompanied by a very strong band. Several cuts get pretty electric, and as usual I prefer the acoustic sound; but it all swings.
Monthly Archives: May 2013
Sean Jones; Gemini, Mack Avenue Records
Another new trumpet player; at least he’s new to me. This is actually his second CD and he is also lead trumpet player of the revered LCJO. He’s got chops, that’s for sure. He uses multiple horns on several cuts and achieves a big, tight sound, but he’s not afraid to get loose either.
Charles Lloyd; Jumping the Creek, ECM
While he’s no newcomer, this is my first CD by Lloyd, a veteran tenor and alto sax player. The rhythm section consists of Gerri Allen, Robert Hurst and Eric Harland. At times this music gets pretty far out there, but over all they have a fresh, happy, swinging sound. It’s pretty rare for a sax player to play both tenor and alto. Tenor and soprano is a far more common combination.
Saori Yano; Sakura Stamp, Savoy
Japan’s teenage alto sax phenom has come out with her 3rd recording and I have to say that she is getting better every time. She went to the States to find a recording band and struck gold. Along with a very tight rhythm section she is joined by the hot horns of Nicholas Payton and Eric Alexander. This is very lively stuff!
Jeremy Pelt; Identity, Max Jazz
This is Pelt’s 4th recording and I continue to be very impressed. A few of the tracks get kind of electric, but even then a deep sense of swing is always there. His rhythm section is made up of guys I don’t know too well, but they are rich!
Marlon Jordan featuring Stephanie Jordan; You Don’t Know What Love Is, Louisiana Red Hot Records
It’s been 8 years since Jordan’s last release. This time around it’s a family affair. The featured vocalist is his sister Stephanie, and there are guest appearances by father Edward “Kidd” Jordan, brother Kent Jordan, sister Rachel Jordan, uncles Alvin Batiste and Maynard Chatters, and cousins Jonathan Bloom and Mark Chatters along with a great rhythm section! The repertoire is all standards and the string accompaniments give this recording a mellow feel.
Chihiro Yamanaka; Outside by the Swing, Verve
Yamanaka is one of Japan’s up and coming pianists with quite a following among Japanese listeners and the Japanese media. Her 3 previous releases were under an indies label and this is her debut with a major label. Interestingly enough, it seems that Verve may not be releasing this CD in the U.S. I asked at Tower Records in Ikebukuro and they said it has yet to be released in the U.S. and it isn’t clear whether it will be or not. I checked the Verve home page and there is no mention of her at all. Anyway, this time around she has managed to hook up with two giants; Bob Hurst and Jeff Watts for what I think is her best effort yet. I’ve seen her live and have her first two releases and while she is definitely good, I’ve always sensed a distinct lack of funk or “gut bucket” emotion in her playing. But I’m happy to say that Hurst and “Tain” seem to have had some impact on her this time around and I’m beginning to hear it.
Lonnie Plaxico; Live at Jazz Standard, 441 Records
Lonnie played with Art Blakey in the early 80’s with Terence Blanchard and Donald Harrison. I saw him live in Seattle with Michelle Rosewoman some time in the late 80’s and was convinced that he was definitely the glue that held her band together. He was part of the M-base movement and so I never followed him too closely but when I got a chance to listen to this CD in a store a few months ago I was really impressed. The music is exceptionally tight and upbeat. It was first released under a Japanese label and now under licensure to this New York based label.
Wynton Marsalis; Live at The House of Tribes, Blue Note
Wynton’s newest release under Blue Note is a superb follow up to The Magic Hour (see comments below). The Wynton of old is definitely back. This is a scorching live session at a small jazz club and the repertoire consists of standards. Don’t get me wrong; this session could have been just as good or better with original compositions. But the point is that this is very, very hot jazz! These guys are totally swinging. I suppose one might want to ask why Wynton sat on this one for 3 years before releasing it. And how many more like it does he have tucked away? Anyway, keep it coming Mr. Marsalis; keep it coming!
Mulgrew Miller; Live at Yoshi’s Volume Two, Max Jazz
Wow! That was a quick follow up on Live at Yoshi’s Volume One. (See comments below) I’m listening to it for the first time as I write this so this is only initial impressions… This combo is capable of being everything from way laid back to in your face intense. Pure pleasure listening!
Jim's Jazz Notes 