Thursday, March 9, 2017
Jeremy Pelt - Make Noise! (HIGH NOTE RECORDS 2017)
A bandleader can command with his ego or he can direct from his heart. At the top of his game after twenty-plus years of musical experience, it's obvious that Jeremy Pelt, his exceptional talents as a trumpeter and composer accounted for, has tapped into a generous and encouraging spirit and built Make Noise! from the band up. That is, Pelt's four handpicked musical compatriots were fully expected to bring a firm artistic identity and fertile ideas to the game, which not surprisingly, each offered in abundance.
Allowing his bandmates to shine only threw greater light on their intuitive leader. In addition to leading his own bands since the turn of the new millennium, Pelt worked with such legendary jazz veterans as Johnny Griffin, Cedar Walton, Wayne Shorter, James Moody and Louis Hayes. Throughout Make Noise!, Pelt incorporates his accumulated knowledge of still vital jazz conventions, while also blending dynamic contemporary rhythmic and harmonic ploys in to the mix.
Allowing his bandmates to shine only threw greater light on their intuitive leader. In addition to leading his own bands since the turn of the new millennium, Pelt worked with such legendary jazz veterans as Johnny Griffin, Cedar Walton, Wayne Shorter, James Moody and Louis Hayes. Throughout Make Noise!, Pelt incorporates his accumulated knowledge of still vital jazz conventions, while also blending dynamic contemporary rhythmic and harmonic ploys in to the mix.
1. Prologue - Introduction to "Make Noise!"
2. Make Noise!
3. Prince
4. Cry Freedom
5. Digression
6. Introduction to "Evolution"
7. Evolution
8. Chateau d'Eau
9. Your First Touch...
10. Bodega Social
Jeremy Pelt, trumpet
Victor Gould, piano
Vicente Archer, bass
Jonathan Barber, drums
Jacquelene Acevedo, percussion
Jeff Lorber Fusion - Prototype (2017)
A godfather of original funky fusion has lately made it a point to demonstrate that there’s still no one who can make this kind of music better than him. Since reviving the Jeff Lorber Fusion moniker in 2010, Jeff Lorber has been stamping out an album every year of so with no letup in quality. His fifth since the JLF comeback is just around the corner, too: Prototype is coming out March 24, 2017 courtesy of Shanachie Entertainment, Lorber’s first for the label.
Today Shanachie released an advance single from Prototype, “Hyperdrive,” that you can dig to your heart’s content in the stream above. And you’ll want to, because this snappy groove features those signature polyrhythms so tightly woven into a worldly, catchy keyboard/sax-rendered melody and capped off by an accomplished Lorber Rhodes aside.
What “Hyperdrive” doesn’t have is Haslip on bass…because another bass legend Nathan East is filling in. Lorber contributed this song for an East project but East left it off of his record; Lorber was quite happy to take it back and put it on his own next record.
1. Hyperdrive
Drums: Gary Novak
Keyboards: Jeff Lorber
Bass: Nathan East
Alto Sax: Andy Snitzer
Rhythm Guitar: Paul Jackson Jr.
Melody Guitar: Chuck Loeb
Horn Arrangement and Performance: Dave Mann
Mixed by Peter Mokran
2. Prototype
Drums: Gary Novak
Keyboards: Jeff Lorber
Electric Bass: Jimmy Haslip
Alto Sax: Andy Snitzer
Guitars: Michael Thompson
Horn Arrangement and Performance: Dave Mann
Mixed by: Jeff Lorber
3. Test Drive
Drums: Gary Novak
Keyboards, Synth Bass, Guitar: Jeff Lorber
Electric Bass: Jimmy Haslip
Alto Sax: Andy Snitzer
Guitars: Michael Thompson
Guitar: Jarius Mozee
Horn Arrangement and Performance: Dave Mann
Mixed by: Peter Mokran
4. What’s the Deal
Drums: Gary Novak
Keyboards, Synth Bass: Jeff Lorber
Electric Bass: Jimmy Haslip
Tenor Sax: Andy Snitzer
Guitars: Michael Thompson
Guitar: Jarius Mozee
Horn Arrangement and Performance: Dave Mann
Mixed by: Peter Mokran
5. Vienna
Drums: Gary Novak
Keyboards: Jeff Lorber
Bass: Jimmy Haslip
Tenor Sax: Andy Snitzer
Guitar and Solo: Larry Koonse
Mixed by Jeff Lorber
6. The Badness
Drums: Gary Novak
Keyboards, Synth Bass: Jeff Lorber
Alto Sax: Andy Snitzer
Electric Bass: Jimmy Haslip
Guitars: Michael Thompson
Horn Arrangement and Performance: Dave Mann
Mixed by Jeff Lorber
7. Gucci
Drums: Gary Novak
Keyboards, Synth Bass: Jeff Lorber
Soprano and Alto Sax: Andy Snitzer
Guitar and Guitar Solo: Larry Koonse
Guitars: Michael Thompson
Guitar: Paul Jackson Jr.
Mixed by: Peter Mokran
8. Hidden Agenda
Drums: Gary Novak
Keyboards, Guitar: Jeff Lorber
Alto Sax: Andy Snitzer
Electric Bass: Jimmy Haslip
Guitars: Michael Thompson
Guitars: Paul Jackson Jr.
Horn Arrangement and Performance: Dave Mann
Mixed by Jeff Lorber
9. Park West
Drums: Gary Novak
Keyboards, Synth Bass, Guitar: Jeff Lorber
Alto sax: Andy Snitzer
Electric Bass: Jimmy Haslip
Guitars: Michael Thompson
Horn Arrangement and Performance: Dave Mann
Mixed by Peter Mokran
10. River Song
Drums: Gary Novak
Keyboards: Jeff Lorber
Soprano Sax: Andy Snitzer
Electric Bass: Jimmy Haslip
Guitars: Michael Thompson
String and Orchestra Arrangement and Performance: Dave Mann
Mixed by Jeff Lorber
All Songs written by Jeff Lorber except Hidden Agenda co written with Jimmy Haslip
Recorded by Jeff Lorber at JHL Sound Pacific Palisades CA except for the following:
Dave Mann horns recorded by Dave at Mannerism Studio, NYC
Michael Thompson recorded by Mike at Cocoa Butt, Culver City, CA
Charlie Sepúlveda & The Turnaround - Mr. EP-A Tribute to Eddie Palmieri (HIGH NOTE 2017)
Charlie Sepúlveda is trumpeter of power and nuance. On this new recording, Sepúlveda takes on the challenge of preserving culture without being trapped by it. He can take a tried-and-true classic like "Besamé Mucho," and instead of falling into the routine he completely modernizes it, stripping the tune of his sometime over-emphasized bolero rhythm and makes something completely new and communicative. Here paying tribute to his former boss, Eddie Palmieri, Sepúlveda brings his distinctive style to eight imaginative tracks with Palmieri delivering two solo tracks. This isn't salsa and it isn't jazz, and it's not exactly a fusion of the two but an exciting and imaginative place between them.
1. Variations on a Theme 1
2. Charlie's Whole Tone Blues
3. Bomba Pa' Carmen
4. Mr. EP
5. Besame Mucho
6. Peer Magic
7. Si tú Sabes
8. Mr. Jazz
9. Variations on a Theme 2
Charlie Sepúlveda, trumpet & leader
Norberto Ortiz, tenor saxophone
Bienvenido Dinzey, piano
Gabriel Rodriguez, bass
Raul Maldonado, drums
Gadwin Vargas, congas and others
Special Guest
Eddie Palmieri, piano
WHITE NOISE TRIO - SPECTRUM (EP 2017)
AVAILABLE on March 9th
White noise, from a physical point of view, simply means a test-signal containing the whole spectrum of audible frequencies. But for Hartkopf, Merz, and Dupuy, white noise means a musical approach to developing songs out of free improvisations, reflecting the fragile moment when a melody first begins to evolve, and diffuse frequencies get shaped into harmonies and rhythm.
Coming from different musical backgrounds, White Noise is exactly the point where Hartkopf, Merz & Dupuy meet to merge their contrasting influences into an exciting rendition of modern melodic Jazz.
So how did this become a Jazz trio?
Even though their musical paths might have been a bit divergent, there was one thing all three of them had in common: Jazz was part of their musical education in their early years. Later, this foundation turned out to be the perfect playground to experiment with genres, styles and attitudes, while developing their own individual musical identity.
Today, all three have found their way back to Jazz, yet strongly influenced by their love affair with other genres. So whenever Hartkopf, Merz and Dupuy play together, the classical lines of chamber music meet the loop-driven approach of electronic dance music, combined with the energy and complex measures of progressive rock. But in the quest for their own musical identity, the trio does not forget to follow the path of their musical heroes like Avishai Cohen, Keith Jarrett or Brian Blade.
AVAILABLE on March 9th
Brass Mask - Live (BABEL LABEL April 21, 2017)
1. FRANCILIA + SHALLOW WATER 06:20
2. LIL’ LIZA JANE 06:03
3. THE BAGUE 05:11
4. INDIAN RED 05:12
5. I THANK YOU JESUS 04:55
6. NYODI 06:22
7. THE MERMAN 06:14
8. FRANCIS P 10:15
Tom Challenger (ts, acl)
Dan Nicholls (ts, bcl)
George Crowley (ts, cl)
Alex Bonney (tp)
Rory Simmons (tp)
Nat Cross (trombone)
Theon Cross (tuba)
John Blease (perc)
Thomas De Pourquery & Supersonic - Sons of Love (2017)
Je me suis presque résolu à cette idée que l’histoire s’arrêterait là… jusqu’à cette nuit de février 2016 pendant laquelle je fis ce rêve incroyable… J'étais une toute petite souris volante et me trouvais au milieu de Supersonic qui jouait dans un immense hangar. Je pouvais voler et aller partout, presque toucher les clefs du saxophone, me lover sur une cymbale, et puis tout d'un coup sauter sur les cordes du piano, c'était fou !
Mais ce qui était encore plus fou, c'était le son et l’énergie de ce que j’entendais. J'étais stupéfait, littéralement transporté et pouvant pour la première fois entendre mes tant aimés Edward, Laurent, Fabrice, Frederick et Arnaud avec une oreille extérieure. J'avais bien conscience auparavant que mon groupe avait une énergie et une alchimie qui lui étaient propres, mais dans ce rêve, l'ADN de Supersonic est devenu une sensation physique, il s'est inscrit dans ma chair.
A mon réveil, une porte s’était ouverte, grande ouverte, cela m’est apparu comme une évidence, il ne suffisait que d’écrire des prétextes, ou plutôt des pré-textes, des terrains de jeu pour mes 5 camarades, dans lesquels nous inventerions le texte, la narration, les discussions et la matière tous ensemble . Il ne me fallait dessiner que le cadre. La problématique remplie d’égo du compositeur devant "sa vie, son oeuvre" et sa page blanche avait miraculeusement disparu !
Le mois suivant, béat, j’ai travaillé jour et nuit, pour écrire toutes ces idées, les transes et les mélodies qui arrivaient comme par magie ; habité seulement par l’envie de faire vibrer et sonner le groupe, comme nous l’avons fait avec tant de bonheur ces 3 dernières années, en concerts à travers le monde.
C’est ainsi qu’est né le tome 2 de l’histoire de Supersonic, oiseau parti du nid divin de Sun Ra et qui maintenant prend son envol: il s’appelle Sons Of Love." Thomas de Pourquery
1. Titan
2. Mermaids
3. We Travel the Space Ways
4. From Planet to Planet
5. Let It Come
6. Slow Down
7. Diamond Brown
8. Sons of Love
9. Simple Forces
10. Give the Money Back
11. Revolutions
Edward Perraud - drums
Arnaud Roulin - piano, synths
Frederick Galiay - bass
Laurent Bardainne - tenor saxophone, vocals
Fabrice Martinez - trumpet, vocals
Thomas de Pourquery - alto saxophone, vocals
Jon Irabagon / John Hegre / Nils Are Drønen - Axis (RUNE GRAMMOFON 2017)
The debut album from this Norwegian-American trio consists of two long tracks that move between intimate lyricism and hardcore expressionism, shaping one of the strongest free jazz offerings we have heard for quite some time.
Filipino-American Jon Irabagon has topped both the Rising Star Alto Saxophone and the Rising Star Tenor Saxophone categories in Down Beat´s critics polls and been named one of Time Out New York´s 25 New York City Jazz Icons. Among the seemingly endless praise we can read "stalwart technique and a deep understanding of avant-garde vocabulary" (JazzTimes), "a musician of intense concentration who wants nothing more than to indulge a spirit of play, emphatic and unreserved" (New York Times), "some of the most galvanizing jazz of the past few years" (Time Out New York) and "one of the strongest, most flexible, and daring saxophonists at work today" (Peter Margasak).
A founder member of Mostly Other People Do The Killing, he is also an integral member of the Mary Halvorson Quintet, Dave Douglas Quintet and Barry Altschul´s 3Dom Factor and has taken part on a vast number of records. Guitarist John Hegre and drummer Nils Are Drønen have both been central on the fertile music scene in Bergen for many years, Hegre possibly most known for his long partnership with Lasse Marhaug in Jazzkammer and Jazkamer, while Drønen has played in a number of project and groups including The Last Hurrah!!.
They met up with New York resident Irabagon during one of his many visits to Bergen where he has established a deep musical friendship with The Last Hurrah!! founder HP Gundersen.
1. Berlin 17:43
2. Fukuoka 18:56
Drums – Nils Are Drønen
Guitar – John Hegre
Mastered By – Iver Sandøy, John Hegre
Mixed By – Daniel Birkeland
Saxophone – Jon Irabagon
Sleeve – Kim Hiorthøy
Julia Hülsmann Trio - Sooner and Later (ECM 2017)
Once again all three members of the trio have contributed compositions to the album. The title of Hulsmann’s “Thatpujai” is an anagram of “Jutta Hipp”, and its theme is comprised of phrases from the late German jazz pianist’s solos. The program is rounded out by a cover of Radiohead’s “All I Need” which, like the Hülsmann-penned tracks “J.J.”, “Soon” or “Mond” with their sometimes almost clubby grooves, emphasizes the subtle rhythmic aspects of the trio’s music. Sooner And Later was recorded in September 2016 in Oslo’s Rainbow Studio, and produced by Manfred Eicher.
1 From Afar 03:40
2 Thatpujai 04:56
3 You & You 04:21
4 Biz Joluktuk 04:04
5 All I Need 04:20
6 The Poet (for Ali) 05:01
7 Offen 04:30
8 J.J. 04:10
9 Soon 03:55
10 Later 04:24
11 Der Mond 05:36
Julia Hülsmann: piano
Marc Muellbauer: double bass
Heinrich Köbberling: drums
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