Zela Margossian Quintet - The Road (February 25, 2022 Ropeadope Records)

Variously described as “ethno-jazz”, “world-jazz”, and “folk-jazz fusion”, Zela Margossian’s music rises above all these labels as a product of her own unique constellation of influences and lived experiences.

Raised in Beirut of Armenian heritage, her childhood years were marked by the conflict and political instability of the region; themes she would later explore in her music. In her early twenties, Margossian moved to Yerevan, Armenia to study classical piano at the Komitas Conservatorium. But it was after class, in the local jazz-clubs listening to artists of the likes of Arto Tunçboyacıyan and Vahagn and the Cats, that her love for jazz was stoked. A move to Australia some years later saw her take the bold step to fully transition from her classical roots and find recognition among her jazz peers, as a composer and improviser of note.

In 2017, the Zela Margossian Quintet (ZMQ) was formed and quickly found a warm embrace in the Sydney jazz scene. Comprising of renowned, versatile performers: Stuart Vandegraaff (woodwinds), Jacques Emery (double bass), Adem Yilmaz (percussion) and Alexander Inman-Hislop (drum kit), the band has appeared on Australia’s mainstages and internationally including at: the Beirut International Jazz Festival (2018), SIMA’s Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival (2017, 2019 and 2020), Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues (2020), the Sydney Opera House (2020), and Sydney Festival (2021).

In 2019 the band’s debut album, Transition, was released by Art As Catharsis to critical acclaim, also receiving an ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) nomination for Best World Music album.

The Road is their much anticipated second album, promising the rich instrumental textures, the distinct compositional voice, as well as the narrative and thematic depth Margossian is known for. 

1. Refuge

2. The Road

3. Devotion

4. Forecast

5. Gratitude

6. The Good That Exists

7. Timeless

8. On Ya

Zela Margossian: Piano

Stuart Vandegraaff: Saxophones

Jacques Emery: Double Bass

Adem Yilmaz: Percussions

Alexander Inman-Hislop: Drums

Produced by Zela Margossian

All tracks composed by Zela Margossian

Recorded and mixed by Richard Belkner at Free Energy Device Studios in Sydney, Australia.

Mastered by Michael Lynch

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Sara Rachele - Heartstrings (February 11, 2022 Ropeadope Records)

Sara Rachele’s latest LP, Heartstrings (out via Ropeadope Records), was recorded both in London, England with her UK bandmates, Brooklyn, NY, and in her hometown Little 5 Points of Atlanta GA (USA.) Written and produced by Rachele (with a track or two produced by keyboardist Spencer Garn (Ruby Velle & the Soulphonics) the title track is an americana-powerpop-KateBush combo Rachele co-arranged with Skintights late bandmate, Waylon Elsberry. A more upbeat affair, the album features hard-hitting musicians and friends David LaBruyere (John Mayer) Binky Griptite (Dap-Kings) local atlanta favorite Kristofer Sampson, and each of the songs represent a story of a female troubadour on her quest for meaning.

Rachele grew up a studio rat and folk child. Working for free, cleaning out the cupboards at famed Decatur, GA acoustic hotspot Eddie’s Attic, she met countless musicians and writers, and fell into bands as a side player before she’d even written a song of her own. She released her debut LP, Diamond Street, in 2014, and followed with a swoony 7-inch cover of Cracker’s “Low.” The latter was dubbed ‘sublime’ by SPIN magazine, and began to chart on commercial radio. Rachele’s 2016 sophomore LP, Motel Fire—recorded with her repurposed punk band The Skintights—was imagined in Joshua Tree, Calif., with help from pedal steel player Chris Unck (Butch Walker, Lisa Loeb). Rachele then released April Fool in 2017. Dedicated to her late grandmother, the album is a collection of bluegrass and folk songs Rachele cut in East Nashville with guitarist Johnny Duke (Little Big Town, Mary Chapin Carpenter). BUST magazine wrote, “Rachele’s angelic voice channels Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton, and she has a gift for telling tales of hope and disappointment in classic troubadour fashion.”

In her young career, Rachele has also been featured at NPR, Billboard, The Village Voice, Paste, PopMatters, No Depression, The Boot, Popdust & more. She splits time between New York and her farm church in Tennessee, where she writes in a 1979 Airstream Bus, and runs independent label Angrygal Records, influenced by Liz Phair’s self-releases under the moniker, Girly-Sound and Janis Ian’s Rude Girl Records.

Heartstrings is Rachele’s globe trotting reflection, submerged in 60’s pop, folk, Americana and jazz. Velvet coos and wistful inflections hover above dreamy cadences, pervading the record with intimate details, while binding the troubadour’s timeless tales of impermanence and self-discovery. Rachele’s song “I Do” was written and recorded in her rural church in Tennessee. It is a meditative moment she wrote after a dream where musician Waylon Elsberry returned to life, it’s part love song, part dirge. “I just feel like she’s with me all day everyday, but it’s still not enough.” Rachele says. “There’s a lot of country and bluegrass history in this town,” “It’s hard not to feel her here.” (The photograph for Randy Travis’ Storms of Life album cover was taken in her church’s front yard in the now fallen-in Flynn’s Lick General Store.)

In a funky tribute Rachele does Nick Gilder’s “Hot Child in the City” (cut live in London) summoning a time where hits were king. “Makin’ Me Wait,” showcases her songwriting skills and of course Binky Griptite’s guitar virtuosity, and T-T-Tonight is something a little more fun for Rachele. She says, “Sometimes, I work on not being so serious all the time.”

Does anything sound familiar? Hershel Yatovitz, Chris Isaak’s signature guitarist, plays lead on“Go South” which is the first song written for the record. Engineered by drummer and dear friend Sigurdur Birkis (Will Hoge/Butch Walker) the song is the truest representation of her Americana roots. With an oddly oracular tone the song was written after she moved to Boston and was afraid she couldn’t hack it. She reminds herself “Get wise, or go south.” It becomes a mantra throughout the song and a backdrop to the album as a whole.

Heartstrings closes with “Wander” a poetic live studio recording with Rachele on vocals and her 1965 Silvertone single-pickup electric guitar. She muses and wonders “Do you ever wander too?” She questions an imagined lover, with no reply. This is where you can hear her Tennessee country shine through. A dreamy fantasy in a sleepy setting this song represents some of what Rachele does best, Americana crooning over a bed of gentle simple guitar chords.

“I’d started working on this album, and with Waylon dying I felt more than ever that the music is what is supposed to press on,” Rachele says. “It’s just me and Dolly Vicious at the moment,” Rachele says referencing her Belgian Malinois named after influences Sid Vicious and Dolly Parton. “Heartstrings begins with what I love the most: being in a room full of great musicians recording to an old machine — and it ends with something a little less tidy.” Heartstrings hardly ties up the bow.

Loss is only a part of the story. Heartstrings is about traveling to transform, accepting the road rocks and all. Rachele’s teacher Livingston Taylor says the best performers leave the songs there on the stage for the audience to pick up. This album collects those moments of emotion and forms of escape for us to review. “I’m constantly searching,” says Rachele, laughing. “I’m hoping for change, that there’s something down this windy path… Something that saves us all.” 

01 Makin Me Wait

Sara Rachele - Vocals, Background Vocals

Jeff Hanley - Bass Guitar

Evan Howard - Drums

Binky Grptite - Guitar

Franciso Botero - Engineer

Chris Cubeta - Engineer

Kristofer Sampson - Mixing Engineer

Josh Money, Full Freq Mastering - Mastering Engineer

Tracking Studio - Studio G (BROOKLYN, NY USA)

02 T-T-Tonight

Sara Rachele - Vocals, Background Vocals

Kyle Gordon - Bass Guitar

Sean Zearfoss - Drums

Kristofer Sampson - Guitar

Peter James - Guitar

Spencer Garn - Organ

Kristofer Sampson - Engineer

Spencer Garn - Engineer, Mixing

Josh Money, Full Freq Mastering - Mastering Engineer

Tracking Studio - Sampson Sound (ATLANTA, GA USA)

03 Hot Child in the City

Sara Rachele - Vocals

Christopher Harding - Guitar, Background Vocals

George Price - Bass Guitar

Sean Zearfoss - Drums

Spencer Garn - Organ

Sean Zearfoss - Percussion

Clem Cherry - Engineer

Spencer Garn - Mixing Engineer

Josh Money, Full Freq Mastering - Mastering Engineer

Tracking Studio - Eastcote Studios / Kensaltown (LONDON ENGLAND UK)

04 Go South

Sara Rachele - Vocals

David LaBruyere - Bass Guitar

Sigurdur “Siggi” Birkis - Drums, Percussion, Music Director

Hershel Yatovitz - Guitar

Spencer Garn - Organ

Sigurdur “Siggi” Birkis - Engineer

Spencer Garn - Engineer, Mixing

Josh Money, Full Freq Mastering - Mastering Engineer

Tracking Studios - Madison Studios (ATLANTA GA USA) & Diamond Street Studios (ATLANTA GA USA)

05 I Do

Sara Rachele - Vocals, Guitar

Spencer Garn - Background Vocals, Electric Bass, Drums, Organ, Percussion

Geoff Henderson - Upright Bass

Spencer Garn - Engineer

Sara Rachele - Engineer, Mixing

Josh Money, Full Freq Mastering - Mastering Engineer

Tracking Studios - Flynn’s Lick Baptist Church (Flynn’s Lick, TN USA) & Diamond Street Studios (ATLANTA GA USA)

06 Heartstrings

Sara Rachele - Vocals, Background Vocals

George Price - Bass Guitar

Sean Zearfoss - Drums, Percussion

Christopher Harding - Guitar

Spencer Garn - Organ

Clem Cherry - Engineer

Spencer Garn - Mixing Engineer

Josh Money, Full Freq Mastering - Mastering Engineer

Tracking Studio - Eastcote Studios / Kensaltown (LONDON ENGLAND UK)

07 Stray

Sara Rachele - Vocals

George Price - Bass Guitar, Background Vocals

Sean Zearfoss - Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals

Christopher Harding - Guitar, Background Vocals

Clem Cherry - Background Vocals

Spencer Garn - Organ

Clem Cherry - Engineer

Spencer Garn - Mixing Engineer

Josh Money, Full Freq Mastering - Mastering Engineer

Tracking Studio - Eastcote Studios / Kensaltown (LONDON ENGLAND UK)

08 Hey Johnny

Sara Rachele - Vocals, Guitar

Spencer Garn - Organ, Percussion

Spencer Garn - Engineer, Mixing

Josh Money, Full Freq Mastering - Mastering Engineer

Tracking Studio - Diamond Street Studios (ATLANTA GA USA)

09 Wander

Sara Rachele - Vocals, Guitar

Spencer Garn - Engineer, Mixing

Josh Money, Full Freq Mastering - Mastering Engineer

Tracking Studio - Diamond Street Studios (ATLANTA GA USA)

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Russ Kaplan+7 - Lake Songs (February 4, 2022 Ropeadope Records)

Russ Kaplan is a musical storyteller. A creatively restless composer and a versatile keyboardist, he is equally at home in the worlds of jazz, rock, Americana, and musical theatre.

Russ’ new album Lake Songs is something new for him and unique in the Ropeadope catalog… a collection of solo piano meditations inspired by the wildlife of Central Florida. It’s a notable departure from his debut album The Ulysses Cycle, a world fusion suite that told the story of The Odyssey through layered arrangements and his band’s fiery improvisations. Kaplan is also the creator of Ropeadope’s video series Nine Takes, a pandemic-inspired collaboration among nine composers from around the globe.

As a theatre composer, Russ is one of the creators of Broadway's first-ever a cappella musical In Transit, and he has written music for numerous other family musicals, TV specials and viral videos. Russ was also the host and bandleader of "Russ Kaplan's Broadway Jazz Session," a live concert series that brought together jazz and Broadway performers to re-interpret Broadway standards in innovative ways. He has performed with many other bands as well, including Brooklyn Americana favorite Chris Q. Murphy, roots-rockers The Randy Bandits, virtuoso violinist Judy Kang (Lady Gaga), drummer Claude Coleman Jr. (Ween), power pop maverick Richard X Heyman, dreamy jazz-rock outfit Small Dream Ada, and for the Upright Citizens Brigade's popular show Gravid Water.

Russ attended Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama as a directing major, where he also studied jazz piano and improvisation with John D'Amico and the legendary saxophonist Eric Kloss. 

1. Manatee

2. Diamondback

3. Egret

4. Apple Snail

5. Tiny Lizards

6. Spanish Moss

7. Leopard Frog

8. Gator

9. Watersnake

10. Tortoise

Russ Kaplan, Piano

Produced, Composed, and Performed by Russ Kaplan

Recorded by Russ Kaplan on September 10 & 13, 2021 in Winter Garden, Florida

Mixed and Mastered by Chris Boerner

Cover Design by Owen Gent

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Greg Spero - The Chicago Experiment (January 2022 Ropeadope Records)

Renegade independent label turned collaborative artist community Ropeadope announces the return of their acclaimed Experiment series, beginning with a 2022 release of The Chicago Experiment. The Experiment series began in June 2001 with The Philadelphia Experiment - featuring ?uestlove, Christian McBride, and Uri Caine with special guest Pat Martino. Widely known as a hallmark in progressive Jazz, The Philadelphia Experiment set a standard for artist-controlled improvisation in the studio. The Detroit Experiment, produced by Aaron Luis Levinson and Carl Craig, followed soon after with a stellar cast including Amp Fiddler, Geri Allen, Karriem Riggins and many more. 2007 saw the release of The Harlem Experiment, once again produced by Levinson, which dug into a crossover blend of Latin Jazz and Funk with a diverse cast including Steven Bernstein, Carlos Alomar, Don Byron, Taj Mahal, Olu Dara, Queen Esther, and Steve Berrios.

At a time when communities are physically disconnected, and even history is being disrupted by a global pandemic and restricted travel, Ropeadope returns to the series to highlight the musical legacy of cities around the globe. The Chicago Experiment was born of collaborations organized by Greg Spero (Spirit Fingers) and his hometown friends Makaya McCraven, Marquis Hill, Joel Ross, Irvin Pierce, Jeff Parker, and Darryl Jones.

"As we resume and expand this series, It could not be more appropriate to begin with Chicago; as we recall Barack Obama’s historic speech in 2008 that began a new era in US politics and culture, we are inspired by the people of Chicago and their contribution to the world. As we move forward, wrestling with the ugliness that moment exposed in our culture, we seek to celebrate the inevitable destiny that this awareness has invoked - one of common human striving for beauty and peace" (Louis Marks, Ropeadope)

Greg Spero’s Take:

The musical fabric of Chicago dates back beyond our lifetimes. The original home of the electric blues, Chicago's voices has carried its deep soul into genre after genre, producing artists of every idiom from gospel to hip hop, minting unique characters and artists bending and molding genres in new and evolving ways. Today is no exception, as some of the 21st century's most innovative and groundbreaking artists herald from Chicago. Makaya McCraven has been featured in the worlds biggest popular music outlets, Marquis Hill won the Thelonious Monk competition, and Joel Ross is commonly considered the most exciting young player in jazz today. These are just a few, but they come from a tight-knit group of individuals with a lineage of collaboration, improvisation, and exploration within their musical community.

For the past 15 years, Greg Spero and Makaya McCraven have been collaborators and supporters of each other's musical development. Darryl Jones, of the generation above Spero and McCraven, was introduced to Spero over a decade ago when co-composing for the record of another Chicago bass veteran Frank Russell. Years ago, Marquis and Spero road-tripped to Canada in Fareed Haque's RV for two nights at the Trane Jazz Club. The Velvet Lounge with Fred Anderson, the New Apartment Lounge with Vaughn Freeman, and the Jazz Showcase with Joe Segal have all been mainstays for these members of Chicago's new musical generation.

Through of the deep history of collaboration and community shared by Chicago artists, a distinct sound has made its appearance on the world stage. This sound is organic; you can hear it in the recordings of Spero and McCraven with Corey Wilkes and Junius Paul in recordings made 12 years ago at Close Up 2 in the south loop. It is genuine, improvisatory, and transparently soulful in a way that can only come as a natural expression of genuine history. Out of all the cities in the world, Chicago proved to be the ideal breeding ground for the next iteration of the Ropeadope Experiment series, following up the legendary Philadelphia Experiment with its new baby brother 20 years later, entitled The Chicago Experiment.

For this record, Spero brought in his long-time Chicago collaborators into the studio for 4 days of improvisation and performance. Spero came to the table with some compositions, but in the true spirit of Chicago, the sessions were filled with improvisation. The all-star group walked away from the 4 days with a huge slate of raw creative material, which Spero then distilled town into succinct groovy improvised compositions. The result is a record that embodies the true Chicago sound, and serves as a great example of the improvisational magic woven into the cultural fabric of Chicago's music scene. 

1. The Chant (feat. Joel Ross, Irvin Pierce, Darryl Jones, Marquis Hill, Jeff Parker) 04:26

2. Sizzle Reel (feat. Irvin Pierce, Jeff Parker) 03:26

3. Always Be (feat. Darryl Jones, Marquis Hill) 05:41

4. Cloud Jam (feat. Joel Ross, Marquis Hill) 03:20

5. Still Of Water (feat. Joel Ross, Irvin Pierce, Marquis Hill) 04:24

6. Double Take (feat. Joel Ross, Marquis Hill) 03:52

7. Maxwell Street (feat. Joel Ross, Irvin Pierce, Darryl Jones, Marquis Hill, Jeff Parker) 04:00

8. For Too (feat. Marquis Hill) 06:24

9. Rose Petal (feat. Darryl Jones) 03:57

10. Tiny Beat 01:34

11. Straight Shooter (feat. Darryl Jones, Jeff Parker) 03:53

Greg Spero (piano)

Makaya McCraven (drums)

Marquis Hill (trumpet)

Joel Ross (vibraphone)

Jeff Parker (guitar)

Darryl Jones (bass)

Irvin Pierce (tenor sax)

PRE-ORDER

Alexander Flood - The Space Between (January 2022 Ropeadope Records)

The Space Between is about connecting people, places, and experiences through sound. A celebration of what unites us together, and the differences that define our uniqueness and diversity.

Award-winning Australian drummer and percussionist Alexander Flood presents his sophomore album The Space Between as a hard-hitting, genre-defying conglomerate of creative composition and collaboration. The music aims to expand and diversify our listening experiences, opening our ears to an immersive ecosystem of rhythms, instruments, and sounds spanning many different cultures across the globe, from North and West Africa to India, The Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Leaning on dance music, tranced rhythms, improvisation, urban textures, contemporary production and collaboration, The Space Between features an all-star lineup of international artists including 6x GRAMMY nominee Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Vivian Sessoms, Nelson Dialect, and Zayn Mohammed amongst others.

1. All For The Pocket (feat. Nelson Dialect) 05:51

2. LDN 07:28

3. Nostalgia 05:53

4. Pathways (feat. Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah) 04:30

5. Re-Wired 04:32

6. Starseed (feat. Vivian Sessoms) 05:46

7. Umoja 04:54

8. Kantra (feat. Zayn Mohammed) 05:01

9. Goodmorning (for Alden) 04:26

10. Weighing of the Heart Ceremony 04:53

Alexander Flood - Drums & percussion*, keyboards, programming, & production (All tracks)

Jack Strempel - Rhodes, piano & synths (Track 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9)

Dylan Paul - Electric bass & synth bass (Track 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10)

Josh Chenoweth - Trumpet (Track 2, 5, 9)

Tyler Venter - Electric guitar (Track 1, 10)

Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah - Trumpet (Track 4)

Nelson Dialect - Vocals (Track 1)

Vivian Sessoms - Vocals (Track 6)

Zayn Mohammed - Oud (Track 8)

Zhao Liang - Guzheng (Track 3, 4, 8)

Wei-Han Dai - Erhu (Track 4, 9)

Nick Kepron - Additional drums, percussion, aux keyboards & co-production (Track 1)

Ben Kepron - Piano (Track 1)

Brion “Boogie BeeJay” Scott - Gogo congas (Track 1)

Drums & Percussion* - congas, djembe, kenkeni, sangban, dununba, dunun bells, ogene bells, cowbell, agogo, tama, tabla, nagara, kanjira, darbuka, frame drums, riq, krakebs, hand claps, auxiliary percussion.

Recorded at Wundenberg’s Recording Studios Adelaide, Australia - April 12th, 13th & 14th 2021

Engineered by Lewis Wundenberg

Nelson Dialect feature recorded at Retribution Studios, London, UK - April 2nd 2021

Engineered by The Cat Burglar

Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah feature recorded in Los Angeles, USA - June 14th 2021

Engineered by Dave Weingarten

Vivian Sessoms feature recorded in New York, USA

Engineered by Chris Parks

Mixed and mastered by Gareth Thomson in Saigon, Vietnam

VIDEO PRODUCTION

Alexander Flood - Writer, director, editor & producer

David Resce - Assistant director, lighting, assistant editor, colourist

Nils Schmolka - Director and cinematographer (Los Angeles unit)

PHOTOGRAPHY

David Resce - Pink Sun Productions

ARTWORK & DESIGN

Alexander Flood, Hicham Hamzi & Kaya Marks

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Joe Alterman - The Upside Of Down (Live at Birdland) August 13, 2021 Ropeadope Records

Atlanta native Joe Alterman expresses a certain upbeat naivete, with a broad smile and bright eyes that make you feel welcome. One would not guess that this is a man hailed by greats; Ramsey Lewis describes his piano playing as ‘a joy to behold’, Les McCann states ‘As a man and musician he is already a giant’. Journalist Nat Hentoff championed three of Alterman’s albums, as well as his writing (Joe wrote liner notes to three Wynton Marsalis/JALC albums, calling one of Joe’s columns “one of the very best pieces on the essence of jazz, the spirit of jazz, that I’ve ever read, and I’m not exaggerating.”

Joe Alterman began at NYU with a BA and Masters in Jazz Piano, followed by performances with Houston Person, Les McCann, Dick Gregory, and Ramsey Lewis. Downbeat describes his sound as ‘ rooted in the blues, and with a touch reminiscent of the great pianists of the 1950s—Red Garland, Ahmad Jamal, Bill Evans. It is clear Joe hits all of the necessary points for Jazz critics and fans alike.

But there is more to the story, of course. The twenty-first century has thus far seen yet another transition for this thing called Jazz. In one moment we see the push and pull between tradition and progression, and in another we see Pop and Hip-Hop musicians emulating and sampling. In Joe Alterman we find none of this struggle; the music just sounds good. Our conscious faculties are instantly disabled as we tap our feet, feeling the intent and joy of his playing. An old classic is new when you feel good in the moment.

This fresh and joyful intent is captured on Joe Alterman’s new release The Upside Of Down. Taken from two live shows at Birdland in November 2019 and February 2020, the album reminds us of a not-too-distant time when we gathered and danced. Joined by Nathaniel Schroeder on bass and Marlon Patton on drums, Alterman cruises gently and delightedly through timeless selections from Less McCann, Oscar Peterson, Henry Mancini and more, with some of his compositions in the mix. 

1. The Smudge

2. Pretty Eyes, Pretty Smile

3. Ose Shalom

4. Time After Time

5. The First Night Home

6. Pure Imagination

7. The Last Time I Saw You

8. Funny Girl

9. The Upside Of Down

10. Days Of Wine And Roses

11. Don't Forget To Love Yourself

12. Gus Gus

Joe Alterman - Piano

Nathaniel Schroeder - Bass

Marlon Patton - Drums

Recorded at Birdland on 11/14/2019 and 2/21-22/2020 by Rob Polanco & Taylor Ryan

Engineered, Mixed and Masted by Gopal Swamy

Photography by Fran Kaufman

Graphic Design by Beryl Firestone Memberg

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The Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra - The Sirius Mystery opus 4 no​.​1 (August 6, 2021 Ropeadope Records)

Born In Chicago and raised in East St Louis Illinois, Russell Gunn is a Pan-African Composer, producer and Trumpeter. While his initial musical interest was American Hip-Hop, he has been celebrated as a Jazz trumpeter from his early years to this day. In High School Gunn was named best all around trumpet player in the country, in a field that included college and professional players. Gunn declined scholarships from major universities, including Berklee School Of Music, to attend Jackson State University, a historically Black University.

In 1993 Russell moved to New York, performing as a member of the Wynton Marsalis Big Band, Known now as Jazz At Lincoln Center. He was in the trumpet section with Marcus Printupo and Roger Ingram on the Pulitzer Prize winning Jazz Oratorio ‘Blood On The Fields’ (composed By Marsalis). His first recording was with the great alto Saxophonist and St Louis native Oliver Lake on the album ‘Tribute to Eric Dolphy’.

Russell Gunn has performed with the best in contemporary music: Oliver Lake, Branford Marsalis, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Maxwell, DʼAngelo, Angie Stone, Jimmy Heath, Roy Hargrove big band, Lou Reed, Cee Lo Green, Ne-Yo, Marcus Miller, Benny Golson, Young Jeezy, Joi, Les Nubian, and Harry Connick Jr. and many more. He has achieved two Grammy nominations for the albums Ethnomusicology Vol 1 and Vol 2

Gunn is the founder, composer, and director of contemporary big band ‘The Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra’, with two releases to date - Get It How You Live, and Pyramids. Get It How You Live introduces us to the band, expressing their contemporary style and leading us toward Gunn's seminal work, a trilogy that represents the artist’s search to tell the expansive story of the African diaspora and the rich history it carries. Pyramids is the first in a three album set that carries us further into Gunn's world of discovery and expression. Pyramids delves (musically) into the true splendor of the Kemetic and Nubian peoples, whose accomplishments have been buried through years of rewritten European history.

In the second album, titled 'The Sirius Mystery'. Russell Gunn goes further into the concept of oral tradition that has been overwritten by the European technology. Following an ancestry tracing, Gunn found his roots in Mali, which piqued his interest in the country and specifically the Dogon (Kaado) people. People whose knowledge of space and planetary positions has stunned other African peoples, and has brought forth the ire of Euro-centric scholars eager to dispute that any knowledge could have pre-dated theirs. The intent is serious; Gunn is on a mission to contribute his knowledge, through art, to our further understanding for the world we have inherited. 

1. Sirius B - The Unseen Absolute (Intro)

2. The Dogon - Primordial Permanence

3. Amma's Egg - The Structure Of Matter

4. The Nummo Fish - Natatory Astronauts

5. (Bonus Track) Amma's Egg - The Structure Of Matter (Alternate Version)

Composed, Arranged, Orchestrated and conducted by - Russell Gunn

Special Guest - Wynton Marsalis (trumpet)

Vocals :

Dionne Farris

Dashill Smith

Trumpets :

1 - Lee King

2 - Melvin Jones

3 - Terence Harper

4 - Dashill Smith

Trombones :

1 - Derrick Jackson

2 - Derrick White

3 - Will Williams

4 - Tom Gibson

Saxophones :

Alto 1 - Mike Burton

Alto 2 - Marquinn Mason

Tenor 1 - Mike Walton

Tenor 2 - Fareed Mahluli

Baritone - Jamel Mitchell

Flute - Rasheeda Ali

Bass Clarinet – Dashill Smith

Rhythm Section :

Keyboards – Phil Davis

Piano - Kevin Bales

Bass - Tres Gilbert

Drums - Lil John Roberts (Left Channel)

Drums - Terreon Gully (Right Channel)

Guitar - Rod Harris Jr.

Percussion - Ali Barr

Additional Musicians (from original small group session)

Louis Heriveaux - Piano

Brian Hogans - Alto Sax

Morgan Guerin - EWI

Darren English - Trumpet

Delbert Felix - Acoustic Bass

Kebbi Williams - Tenor Sax

Produced by – Russell Gunn

Recorded By Michael Schenck and Phil Davis

Recorded in Atlanta Georgia, December 2020

Mixed By Russell Gunn and Dave Darlington

Mastered By Dave Darlington in New York City, January 2021

Cover art and design by Russell Gunn

Executive producer – Russell Gunn

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Andrew Finn Magill - Festa! (July 30, 2021 Ropeadope Records)

Andrew Finn Magill’s outstanding new album “Festa!” arrives as something of a miracle: an album that stands proudly among the very best of a traditional style of music with its roots in 19th-century Rio De Janeiro, created by a North Carolina-based violinist. Hearing this wonderful and soulful album is like being transported to a bar in Rio’s bohemian Lapa neighborhood in the 1940s. The songwriting, arrangements and execution of the material do the genre’s legendary figures proud and is all the more impressive for being all original, from Magill’s own pen.

Without indulging in forced or contrived fusions or experiments, it still manages to add a fresh, contemporary take on a time-honored sound, and one can only imagine the legendary Pixinguinha, frequently described as Brazil’s Louis Armstrong, nodding in approval. One feels the particular carefree lightness of touch coupled with exacting precision that is the hallmark of the best choro, and which explains the attraction of the form to many jazz musicians around the world.

Magill’s achievement here has not gone unnoticed, with acclaimed Rio producer/musician Kassin saying of this album: “Andrew Finn Magill’s new record is like comfort food for ears. Listening to his music is guaranteed instant happiness.” Kassin adds that “Nando Duarte’s production provides an elegant dressing for Magill’s mel odies.” Such high praise is a testament to the chemistry and communication achieved by Magill and producer Duarte, and of the almost telepathic communication among the musicians.

– Greg Caz, renowned Brazilian music DJ (Brooklyn, NY)

He (Magill) is a genuine, and excellent, chameleon! Accompanied by a first-rate team of sharp Brazilians, Andrew is not intimidated, he makes the sounds of his violin stir, stretching the hips of one note to lean against others.

– Badi Assad, legendary Brazilian guitarist

Andrew Finn Magill and Nando Duarte have created some sunshine for our ears and minds with this beautifully played, arranged, and produced album. Their perfect combination of effortless virtuosity and musical simpatico is sure to put a smile on your face.

– Zach Brock, Grammy-winning violinist with Snarky Puppy

1. Cheio de Mordidas

2. Chorinho pra Alice

3. Pé Quente

4. Borboleta

5. Fuga para a Argentina

6. Proezas de Moisa

7. Choro de Cris 02:42

8. Às Escuras

9. Saxofone na Ilha 03:43

10. O Homem Vermelho

Andrew Finn Magill: violin

Nando Duarte: 6-string guitar, 7-string guitar, cavaquinho, mandolin, electric bass, piano, percussion

Thiago da Serrinha: percussion (Cheio de Mordidas, Pé Quente, Choro de Cris)

Carlos Cesar Motta: drums (Saxofone na Ilha)

Janderson Bernardo: saxophone (Saxofone na Ilha)

Produced by Nando Duarte

Mixed and mastered by Nando Duarte and Daniel Carvalho

All music written by Andrew Finn Magill (© 2021 BMI)

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Ariel Bart - In Between (May 20, 2021 Ropeadope Records)

We are excited to present to you new music from rising chromatic harmonica player, Ariel Bart.

Yes, we said harmonica. here’s the scoop:

Working to extend the harmonica’s boundaries by creating original music, Ariel Bart is bringing a fresh sound to Jazz. The Jazz influences from her mentors are evident on her debut album, In Between, set for release on May 20, 2021, yet she stretches into unknown territory with the unique sound of the harmonica. Hints of Jonathan Levy and Tin Hat Trio are there in her solos, backed by a free flowing composition and playing from Mayu Shviro (Cello), Moshe Elmakias (Piano), David Michaeli (Double Bass), and Amir Bar Akiva (drums). The interplay with the band highlights the unique feelings evoked by a lead harmonica - always longing with a touch of sadness but punctuated with moments of pure joy.

'Storytelling in any form of music always grabs my attention; and my response to Ariel's style was instant. In Between feels like a soundtrack to my own journey; a remarkable connection between artist and listener is immediately evident' (Louis H. Marks, Ropeadope)

1. Spiritual Wars

2. Colors Palette

3. Stranger on the Hill

4. Memory of a Child

5. Deep Down

6. The Year After

7. Intro (feat. Mayu Shviro)

8. In Between

All compositions composed and produced by Ariel Bart

Mayu Shviro - Cello

Moshe Elmakias - Piano

David Michaeli - Double bass

Amir Bar Akiva - Drums

Ariel Bart - Harmonica

Mix - Yaron Mohar

Mastering - Yoram Vazan

Recording engineer: Arik Finkelberg

Recorded and mixed at the "Yellow Submarine JLM”

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The Philadelphia Experiment (Uri Caine / Ahmir Thompson / Christian McBride with special guest Pat Martino) - The Philadelphia Experiment (April 2021 Ropeadope Records)

At a time of deep reflection on the 21st Century; of our very lives, of our values, and of the art that is of value, Ropeadope takes a step back to the beginning. While the label began in 1999, it is clear that the 600 albums released in the last 20 years mark a reflection of the times; a chronicle of musical evolution from a centralized marketing machine to a wide field of independent artistic creation. The Philadelphia Experiment stands as the definitive Ropeadope album; three titans of the scene in the studio with producer Aaron Levinson making music on the fly, answering only to their muse and the subject; Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Experiment was met with wonder and acclaim, fusing influences with respect for the legacy and an adventurous spirit. Young artists would look to this album as a starting point, a realization of what is possible. And yet it also stands as a historic document that defines a method of independent creation that defines Ropeadope to this day, and inspires musicians to simply create.

It is with this sense of history that Ropeadope celebrates 20 years since the June 2, 2001, release of The Philadelphia Experiment. A limited run of 1000 Double Vinyl LP’s will be pressed (plus 10 test pressings). With original 2 inch tape lost to time, the audio has been gently remastered from digital files for optimal Vinyl sound by G & J Audio. The lacquer will be etched with a blockchain transaction id, and each copy will carry a unique QR code entitling the buyer to a non-fungible token (NFT) specifically minted for the project as a permanent certificate of ownership. This will be the first time that NFT’s are directly linked to physical Vinyl LP’s. 

1. Philadelphia Experiment 04:15

2. Grover 04:57

3. Lesson #4 02:52

4. Call For All Demons 05:26

5. Trouble Man Theme 04:31

6. Ain’t It The Truth 06:10

7. Ile Ife 05:04

8. The Miles Hit 05:45

9. (Re) Moved 02:06

10. Philadelphia Freedom 03:09

11. Mister Magic 03:33

12. Just The Two Of Us 03:58

Uri Caine / Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, Steinway Grand Piano and Hammond B-3 Organ

Ahmir Thompson / Drums

Christian McBride / Electric and Acoustic Bass

with

Pat Martino / Electric Guitar on (1) (2) and (4)

Jon Swana / Trumpet on (1) and (5)

Larry Gold / Cello & Arranger on (10)

Aaron Luis Levinson / Handclaps and SFX on (2) and (9)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Andy Blackman Hurwitz

PRODUCED BY: Aaron Luis Levinson

ENGINEERED BY: Jon “Iron Man” Smeltz and Jim Bottari

SECOND ENGINEER: Carlos “Storm” Martinez

ASSISTANT ENGINEERS: Gordon Goss & Jim Bottari

RECORDED & MIXED at The Studio, Philadelphia, PA. from September 25-27, 2000

All songs mixed by Aaron Luis Levinson and Jon Smeltz except: “Philadelphia Experiment” and “Grover” mixed by Uri Caine, Aaron Luis Levinson and Jon Smeltz, and “Philadelphia Freedom” mixed by Jim Bottari

ASSISTANT MIX ENGINEERS: Krystof Zizka and Gordon Goss

This entire jawn was recorded and mixed within the analog universe by the Iron Man. This entire jawn was mastered and tweakified into the digital universe by Mike “The Wizard” Fossenkemper.

REMASTERED BY: G&J Audio, Union City, NJ.

DESIGN: David Bias

PHOTOS: Candice DiCarlo

Ahmir Thompson appears courtesy of MCA Records

Christian McBride appears courtesy of The Verve Music Group

Uri Caine appears courtesy of Winter & Winter Music

Pat Martino appears courtesy of Blue Note Records

Jon Swana appears courtesy of Criss Cross

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Daniel Carter / Brad Farberman / Kid Millions - Forever Is an Infinite Always (2021 Ropeadope Records)

One of the joys of being a musician is hopping onstage with people you’ve never played with before. I’d been a fan of Kid Millions since checking out his band Oneida in 2015, but I hadn’t had the right project to pitch him. Daniel had never played with Kid either before this night. I think we hit on a sort of mellow chaos, which is sometimes the best kind of chaos. It’s beautiful when things are both what they are and what they aren’t.

1. Recorded 07:57

2. Live 06:34

3. At 08:24

4. Nublu 06:31

Daniel Carter // flute + trumpet + tenor saxophone

Brad Farberman // guitar

Kid Millions // drums

All songs created right then and there by Daniel Carter, Brad Farberman, and Kid Millions Recorded live at Nublu on August 20, 2019

Mixed by Jonah Rosenberg

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Robi Botos - Old Soul (ROPEADOPE RECORDS November 2018)

DIAMOND 
Dedicated to a dear childhood friend, the pianist/keyboardist András Losó, who was nicknamed gyémánt (Diamond). Unfortunately he passed away very young due to heart disease. Many great memories...I learned a lot from him about playing & music in general. His presence & music brought a lot of joy to many. One of the funniest people ever, too… I incorporated grooves & chord changes that we used to jam on for hours & hours. R.I.P 

BUDAPEST 
A song that contains mixed feelings. A bittersweet tribute to one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Many different experiences there for the first 20 years of my life. Some of the best, but unfortunately some of the harshest ones too. 

OLD SOUL 
Somehow that’s how this tune felt like to me. That’s the title which came to me from the feeling of it. Musically, this track is all over the map. It has many old & soul-oriented influences from Romani, Folk, Baroque Classical to Jazz, Funk, Gospel, Fusion to Motown & more...it all just came out like that. It also paints a musical picture of my journey from old Europe to North America. 

PRAISE 
I used to play in Church a lot. I always try to play the same way I did when I was performing in Church, everytime I am on stage. This song is really a prayer. Praising the One who gave me all good things including music. As my former teacher Jim Blackley said to me: “you are not the doer, you are the instrument”. 

HOPE 
A Latin influenced tune, with a positive outlook. I wrote it shortly after winning the Montreux Jazz festival piano competition with a heart full of new hope. 

DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES 
One of my favourite standards, with a groovy twist. I love old standards & the joy in finding fresh ways of playing them without losing their meanings. 

CALHOUN SQUARE 
A tribute to the one & only Prince. One of the funkiest musicians, multi-instrumentalists & producers who ever lived. He was a musical chameleon. One of the few who knew his craft, kept & respected the tradition, but also brought a totally new thing to the scene. 

Produced by Scott Morin and Robi Botos 

All Compositions : Robi Botos 

except Calhoun Square (Prince) and Days of Wine and Roses (Mancini/Mercer) 

Recorded on Sunday, July 3rd at Planet Studios – Montreal, Canada 

Engineered by Nicolas Roberge at Planet Studios 

Recording Supervised by Dan Cinelli at Planet Studios 

Piano Tuning : Oliver White 

Mixed by John ‘Beetle’ Bailey at The Drive Shed 

Percussion Overdubs Recorded at Sound Lens Studio, Markham, Ontario 

Engineer : Ted Sevdalis // Studio Owner : Lenny Binder 

All audio Mastered by Peter Letros for Wreckhouse Mastering 

Photography : Tracey Nolan 

Art Direction and Design : Simon Paul 

Production Management : Geoff Lang for A440 Entertainment Inc. 

Release Coordination : Celine Peterson and Scott Morin 

Videography in-studio : Cedric Sequerra 

ARTISTS 

Robi Botos : Piano, Keys, Harpejji, Melodica, Percussion 

Larnell Lewis : Drums 

Mike Downes : Acoustic and Electric Bass 

Seamus Blake : Saxophones and EWI 

Featuring Special Guests on Calhoun Square : 

Cory Henry : Hammond B3 Organ 

Ingrid Jensen : Trumpet 

Lionel Loueke : Guitar 

String Section on Budapest and Old Soul : 

Drew Jurecka :Violin 1 

Rebekah Wolkstein : Violin 2 

Shannon Knights : Viola 

Lydia Munchinsky : Cello 

Robi Botos plays Nord keyboards and Yamaha pianos. 

Robi endorses: Roli Ltd, Propellerhead Reason Software, D'addario Canada, Hammond Melodicas, Marcodi Musical Instruments, Native Instruments North America Inc., Erikson Music/Audio, and Jamm Industries 

Larnell Lewis endorses Yamaha Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Evans Drumheads, and Promark Drumsticks 

Seamus Blake endorses Ted Klum mouthpieces and Roberto’s Winds Reeds

1. Diamond 06:33

2. Budapest 06:58

3. Old Soul 11:35

4. Praise 07:27

5. Hope 06:26

6. Days of Wine 06:39

7. Calhoun Square 07:50

8. A Time to Love 07:00

9. End Of An Era 04:35

Eddie Palmieri - Mi Luz Mayor (ROPEADOPE RECORDS December 7, 2018)

This work is dedicated to Iraida, my late wife, the love of my life.

Here I present to you the music that Iraida and I enjoyed in our youth. I would play this music in our home often, during the Holidays and on special occasions. We would dance to this music, but there were also times where the music spoke for us. Music was the constant force that touched our hearts and would heal any wounds that life sent our way. 

Ultimately, these songs represent our love story. Selecting each composition and writing new music helped me work through my grief after she passed away in 2014. Because this music is in her honor, everything from start to finish had to be of the highest caliber and I am proud to say that it is just that. 

If Iraida were here today, I know she would want you to know that life wasn’t always easy. She worked tirelessly and selflessly for the needs of our family - there truly wasn’t anything she didn’t do or wouldn’t have done for us. The career trajectory of a musician is difficult at best and like anyone in this business, there were many ups and downs. And when I was down, she always had an unrelenting drive to see me through my darkest days. I, in turn, did the best I could to be there during hers. She was my anchor, my one foot in reality. She kept me grounded and helped keep me on the right path in hopes that I would reach my highest potential. She was my life. And I was hers. Reliving this music allows me to sit again in her presence, to visit memories of our time together. I share this with you now and hope you will feel a connection to her, to another era and to me. 

I would also like to acknowledge of the profound respect, admiration and impact both Rene Hernández and Ray Santos have had on my musical life. Their arranging skills show careful study and the diligence I endeavor to carry over into my own arrangements. It is the platform from which I rarely move, where the historical integrity of the Cuban structures are preserved and expounded upon – that is the excitement that drives my creative process. I am also grateful for the contributions and arranging talent of Jose Madera – I truly believe he is an inspiration to the next generation of arrangers. 

As for the musicians…I am surrounded by Chiefs, each a master of their own instrument. I am incredibly grateful to all the musicians that are on this recording and of course, the special guests, Mr. Carlos Santana, Mr. Gilberto Santa Rosa and “La Voz del Caribe,” Herman Olivera. And a heartfelt thank you to Brian Lynch for the coda input on the new arrangement of Mi Congo. These gentlemen know they all live in my heart and pay no rent. 

My motto for this CD is “Cuidado!” 

Eddie Palmieri  (Written in collaboration with Ileana Palmieri-Campos)

1. Abarriba Cumbiaremos

2. Chica Ni Lambo

3. Mi Congo

4. Mi Luz Mayor

5. Que Falta Tu Me Haces

6. Quimbombó

7. El Resbaloso

8. Soñando con Puerto Rico

9. Tremendo Cumbán

10. Yo Soy Mulato

11. Sun Sun Babaé