Tete Montoliu - Blues for Myself 1977 (2015 Remastered)

The blind Catalonian pianist Tete Montoliu is in great form on this 1977 session recorded in Spain, accompanied by bassist Eric Peter and drummer Peer Wyboris. He shows off his tremendous chops in a roller coaster treatment of the bittersweet ballad "You've Changed," then switches to a jaunty mood for a brisk treatment of "It Could Happen to You." Wyboris kicks off the thunderous take of Jimmy Heath's "Jimmy's Tempo," a passionate hard bop vehicle. But the primary focus of this CD consists of four original blues penned by the pianist. It seems likely that at least some of them were improvised on the date, though "Blues for Coltrane" seems to draw inspiration from the late tenor saxophonist's rapid-fire live solos that left little open space. "Blues for Myself," the centerpiece of the release, seems closely related to "You've Changed," though the chord progressions do vary. Released by the Spanish label Ensayo, this disc is worth acquiring.

ARTISTS: TETE MONTOLIU TRIO

Title: BLUES FOR MYSELF

Release date: 1977

Duration: 40:29

Recorded in Casino L'Aliança del Poble Nou, Barcelona, on January 3, 1977

Produced by Antonio Armet

Remastering: Cezanne Producciones. Las Rozas, 2015

Genre: Jazz

Style: Hard Bop

Label: DiscMedi Blau (DM5180-02)

1. Blues for Corien (Tete Montoliu) 5:13

2. You've Changed (Bill Carey-Carl Fisher) 7:35

3. And the Angels Sing: It Could Happen to You (Burke Van Heusen) 6:03

4. Blues for Myself (Tete Montoliu) 6:14

5. Jimmy's Tempo (Jimmy Heart) 5:16

6. Blues for Llorach (Tete Montoliu) 6:01

7. Show Details Blues for Coltrane (Tete Montoliu) 3:59

Tete Montoliu: Piano

Peer Wyboris: Drums

Eric Peter: Bass

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JAVI

Louis Hayes & Junior Cook (with Woody Shaw, Ronnie Mathews, Stafford James, Guilherme Franco) - Ichi-Ban 1976 (2015)

Taken from a live performance of the short-lived Louis Hayes-Junior Cook Quintet, this recording features some fine hard bop. The two horns are trumpeter Woody Shaw and tenor saxophonist Junior Cook, who are complemented by a fine rhythm section headed by drummer Louis Hayes. Shaw is in good form, and one of the joys of this album is the chance to hear Shaw as a sideman in the mid-'70s in a hard bop context not unlike his own small groups. Cook plays well, and he stretches on each piece, although his solos are not remarkable in any way. Hayes takes the customary drums solos to which he is entitled as a leader, and proves once again his solid feel for the genre. The limited recording time (under forty minutes) is a shame since the group is such a pleasure to hear. The music retains its excitement years after it was recorded, a tribute to both the choice of tunes and the quality of playing. The other members of group are pianist Ronnie Matthews, bassist Stafford James, and percussionist Guilherme Franco, each of whom makes adequate, though hardly distinguished, contributions.

Ichi-Ban

Pannonica

Brothers And Sisters

The Moontrane

Book's Bossa

Louis Hayes, drums

Junior Cook, tenor sax

Woody Shaw, trumpet

Ronnie Mathews, piano

Stafford James, bass

Guilherme Franco, percussion

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JAVI

Conrad Herwig & Igor Butman - Reflections (2016)

Source & Label: Criss Cross

On Reflections, a co-led sextet recital comprising two charts from Russian tenor saxophonist-bandleader Igor Butman and six from trombonist Conrad Herwig.
For the tenth CD that Herwig has either led or co-led for Criss Cross since 1997, he recruits trumpeter (and Criss Cross veteran) Alex Sipiagin to round out the front line, and a killer rhythm section comprising pianist David Kikoski, bassist Kenny Davis and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts.
Well-known as the leader and guiding intelligence of the Moscow State Jazz Orchestra, Butman, in a rare sideman appearance with a combo of New York A-listers, brings his A-game, improvising with heat and logic that his partners match throughout.

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Donald Edwards - Prelude To Real Life (2016)

Source & Label: Criss Cross

 On his second Criss Cross leader date, Prelude to Real Life, drummer Donald Edwards picks up where he left off with the next installment of an autobiographical narrative in notes and tones.

Whereas in his debut, Evolution of an Influenced Mind (Criss 1365), Edwards conveyed the story of his formative years as a musician with eleven original compositions, here he addresses themes of love, family and fatherhood with an engaging suite comprising six kinetic, diverse originals of his and one by Alex Sipiagin, two personalized standards (Thelonious Monk's Skippy; Benny Golson's Stablemates); and three textural drum interludes.

Rejoining him from the first date are pianist Orrin Evans and tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III, both Criss Cross veterans, guitarist David Gilmore, while rising star Luques Curtis assuming the bass chair. Edwards' old friend Nicholas Payton plays keyboards on three tracks, and eminent New York singer Vivian Sessoms lends her voice to three selections.

Edwards unifies the proceedings with the big beat, impeccable taste, and creative spirit that have made him a New York first-caller since he moved to the Apple 15 years ago. 

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Misha Tsiganov - Spring Feelings (2016)

Label: Criss Cross

Source: Proper Music

For his second Criss Cross release, 'Spring Feelings', pianist Misha Tsiganov presents a program containing five originals and four standards, each bearing Tsiganov's sui generis arranging stamp, tailored to the tonal personalities of his world-class personnel.

Returning from his successful debut, 'Artistry of the Standard' (CRISS1367CD), are trumpeter Alex Sipiagin, tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake and drummer Donald Edwards, with bassist Hans Glawischnig joining the team.

As on the first recording, the musicians surefootedly, virtuosically navigate the blend of mixed meters, shifting tempos, changing keys and reharmonisations with which Tsiganov dresses up his beautiful melodies in order to insure, as he stated in the liner notes of 'Artistry of the Standard', "that something is happening always, so the listener doesn't fall asleep."

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Zach Larmer Electric Band - Inner Circle (2016)

Label: Self Released

Source: Cdbaby

I became interested in the concept behind this record years ago, when I read a commencement address by Kurt Vonnegut. He spoke about how historically, we've lived with our extended families our whole lives in a clan-like setting. We were surrounded by people who we knew deeply, and who we could rely upon.

Moving away from our families at 18, or even younger, is a recent societal trend. Kurt recognized the necessity of creating a synthetic family, in order to fulfill our biological desire for closeness with others.

I’ve been fascinated with this concept ever since, and I’ve felt a drive to be a part of a sub community of likeminded individuals ever since I arrived here in Miami. As this has come to fruition over the past few years, it has become fully evident to me just how powerful this concept is.

What Kurt spoke of goes far beyond stemming the tide of loneliness. As people’s lives collide, we meet many, get to know some, and fall deeply intwined with a certain few, and with their support, the possibilities are endless. This project was born solely through collaboration with these people that I am so blessed and honored to call my Inner Circle. - Zach Larmer

1. On The Dock 08:49
2. Garden Of Eden
3. Same As It Ever Was
4. Inner Circle
5. I Left It Bayou
6. Friedrichshain
7. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
    

Zach Larmer - Guitar
John Daversa - Trumpet, EVI
Brian Lynch - Trumpet
Aldo Salvent - Saxophone
Tal Cohen - Keyboards
Juan Pablo Diaz - Bass
Jermaine Walden - Bass
Rodolfo Zuniga - Drums
David Chiverton - Drums 

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Jonathan Greenstein - Vol. 1 (EP 2016)

Label: Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit Records

Source: Revive Music

Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit Records proudly announces the January 29 release of “Vol 1”, the first of three EP’s saxophonist and composer Jonathan Greenstein plans to release over the course of this year. Inspired by the speed in which Indie and Electronic musicians can now produce new material, Greenstein has turned his focus to releasing more music, documenting his artistic journey and connecting faster to his growing audience. The three part series is an exploration of modern jazz drawn from a palette of modern sounds. Along with Greenstein, Vol 1 features guitarist Gilad Hekselman, pianist Victor Gould, bassist Or Bareket and drummer Mark Whitfield Jr.

With an emphasis on the song, Greenstein’s music offers a fresh take on lyrical melodies and dynamic uses of space against flexible frameworks that push the boundaries of the traditional jazz form. Vol 1 begins the cycle with its roots

planted firmly in the modern jazz idiom with a wink of the grooves to come in Vol 2, eventually concluding with a distinct new beat to be heard on Vol 3.

“Vol 1 is a summarization of the past few years of my life and dreaming of what’s to come in song,” says Greenstein, “…it’s a quest to become part of the listeners life.”

Greenstein’s influences range from Rock and Hip Hop to Electronic and Alternative- all of which can be heard in varying degrees on the jazz foundation he’s laid in Vol 1’s six tracks. This cross-genre exploration is evident not just throughout the EP but also throughout the songs themselves. Particularly  "Helpdaynastephens.org in Gm, Prelude” takes the listener from atmospheric Electronica to a hard-hitting rhythmic cacophony fronted by the captivating Whitfield before settling into a pulsing groove reminiscent of J. Dilla. Equally entrancing is Greenstein’s reimagining of Bjork’s ethereal “Who Is It” where he trades her signature cathedralesque bells for intricate reworking performed by his innovative quintet.

Contributing to his identifiable style are his jaw-dropping, energetic live shows that are known the bring audiences to their feet. Vol 1’s release will be marked by a special engagement at New York City’s famed Rockwood Music Hall on January 28.

1. Opening 03:44
2. Mechanics 07:22
3. HelpDaynaStephens.ORG in Gm, Prelude 02:43
4. Yuval's Cubism 05:01
5. Some Of These Guys (Read Books For Fun) 08:11
6. Who Is It (Bjork) 04:41

 

Jonathan Greenstein
Gilad Hekselman
Victor Gould
Or Bareket
Mark Whitfield Jr.

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Phronesis - Life to Everything (Vinyl Edition) 2015

Life to Everything is the new live album by Anglo/Scandinavian trio Phronesis, recorded over three shows ‘in the round’ at The Cockpit, London as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival in November 2013. 

Since the success of their fourth album ‘Walking Dark’ two years ago, the trio have been on a meteoric rise, gaining acclaim from fans over two tours of the USA and Canada and a tour of Australia, whilst also rising to the forefront of the European club and festival scene. With so much time spent on the road and a reputation for spell-binding roller-coaster live performances, (which led to Jazzwise once describing them as one of the most exciting bands on the planet), it was natural for the band to want to record their fifth album in front of a live audience. In Høiby’s words – ‘performing live has been the strength of this trio from the start – it sparks an extra focus, excitement and joy. As the album title suggests – it’s where everything comes to life’.

Released April 7, 2014 

Recorded by Matt Robertson on 16th & 17th November 2013 over three performances at The Cockpit, London as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival. 

Mixed by August Wanngren in Copenhagen, December 2013. Mastered by Thomas Eberger in Stockholm, December 2013. 

Photographs and cover by Dave Maric Produced by Phronesis

JASPER HØIBY double bass

IVO NEAME piano

ANTON EGER drums

01. Urban Control (Anton Eger) 

02. Phraternal (Ivo Neame) 

03. Behind Bars (Jasper Høiby) 

04. Song for Lost Nomads (Ivo Neame) 

05. Wings 2 the Mind (Jasper Høiby) 

06. Nine Lives (Jasper Høiby) 

07. Deep Space Dance (Ivo Neame) 

08. Herne Hill (Anton Eger) 

09. Dr Black (Anton Eger)

Bonus tracks

10. Charm Defensive (live from Jazzhouse, Copenhagen)

11. Democrazy (live from Jazzhouse, Copenhagen)

12. Lipwash (live from Jazzhouse, Copenhagen)

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JAVI

Gutbucket - Dance (2016)

Gutbucket consists of Ty Citerman on guitar, Ken Thomson on saxophone, Adam D. Goldon drums and Pat Swoboda on bass. For over fifteen years they have been playing an energetic brand of music that blends the virtuosity of avant garde jazz with the volume of progressive rock. This is a live recording from The Stone in New York City and it shows how exciting the band can be in that setting. “Luton” opens the album with thick bass and strong drumming, adding squalls of electric guitar and saxophone, pushing the energy level to a cool modern free jazz and fusion combination with snaking rhythm and complex playing. The energy level is very high and exciting, and reaches a great crescendo of gushing music.

The fast nature of the music continues on “Exercise” developing very well with the band kicking hard. The band is moving into blistering tempos, with the saxophone digging and snarling guitar keeping pace. On this track they prove themselves to be a wailing powerful juggernaut of a band. “Rum Spring” has a little bit slower and milder saxophone developing a nice rhythm with the drums, building to a more complex choppy section of improvisation with the music rising in pitch to the full band reaching a secure medium-up tempo punctuated by exclamations of saxophone, then finishing at a blistering pace.

There is a skull crushing riff to “So Many Little “ then quiet abstraction before building to a dynamic of heavy metal sludge, thudding drums, thick reaching sax, and blasts of all out powerful music calling out amidst the slabs of raw sound. “Bounce Clap Shasta!” has a nice funky feel from the bass and drums as they develop a fun feel to the music then promptly subvert it with a more nervous disjointed section. Citerman takes a growling guitar solo over very powerful bass and drums, which makes for a very wild interlude, before the bands downshift to a quiet and somber conclusion. The band develops a craggy sensibility for “Buseve” led by fast and very nimble guitar and saxophone along with lithe bass and drums.

It makes for very exciting music because everything is so fast and the band very tight and compact, like a skater pulling her arms inward to spin ever faster. This music is fast tight modern jazz very good collective improvisation everybody pulling together. On “2 Is Not Enough” the set and the album ends super fast full band riot, it’s great stuff full of humor and grace and rolling inexorably forward  making a short howling blast of energy. This album worked very well, the group worked hard to make the small cramped club into a theatre for their unique music and it captured them at their finest.

01. Luton 5:37

02. Exercise 4:59

03. Rum Spring 8:00

04. So Many So Little 6:16

05. Bounce Clap Shasta! 5:46

06. Buseve 7:29

07. Fucking Title 8:11

08. 2 Is Not Enough 3:17

Ty Citerman, electric guitar

Ken Thomson, alto sax

Eric Rockwin, bass

Adam D. Gold, drums

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JAVI

Dominic Minix: Dominic Minix Quartet - Introducing (2016)

A native New Orleans band. Our music comes from jazz and integrates other genres like hip hop, punk rock, folk and R&B. Founded with the desire to express our artistry and creativity in improvisation without being chained to the limitations of a single genre. 

Dominic Minix, Guitar

Xavier Molina, Trumpet

Nic Lefebvre, Bass

Michael Scott, Drums

01. Treat Me So Bad

02. Drinking

03. Sound

04. Slum

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VÍCTOR

Sound

SFJAZZ Collective - The Music of MICHAEL JACKSON and Original Compositions NEW LIMITED EDITION ALBUM (2016)

NEW LIMITED EDITION ALBUM

Pre - Order CD

RELEASE DATE: MARCH 4

Music of Michael Jackson and New Compositions

Live at SFJAZZ Center

The SFJAZZ Collective is an all-star ensemble comprising eight of the finest performers/composers at work in jazz today. The group’s new limited edition two-disc live CD, which was recorded live at the SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco this past October, features new arrangements of Michael Jackson classics like "Thriller", "Smooth Criminal", "Human Nature", "This Place Hotel" and more, as well as eight new original compositions by the band. The 22-page booklet contains exclusive photos, interviews and commentary from the band. 

· Limited edition 2-CD set available exclusively through SFJAZZ – not available in stores.

· Each CD set is numbered.

· Booklet contains exclusive photos from the live performances at the SFJAZZ Center, liner notes by jazz journalist Jesse Hamlin, insights by the musicians and artist bios.

· The compositions of King of Pop Michael Jackson, arranged by members of the Collective.

· New compositions by individual Collective members commisioned by SFJAZZ.

SFJAZZ COLLECTIVE

Miguel Zenón: alto saxophone

David Sánchez: tenor saxophone 

Sean Jones: trumpet 

Robin Eubanks: trombone 

Warren Wolf: vibraphone 

Edward Simon: piano 

Matt Penman: bass 

Obed Calvaire: drums

Track Listing

DISC 1

1. The Love You Save – Michael Jackson (arranged by Robin Eubanks) 

2. Blame It On the Boogie – Michael Jackson (arranged by Matt Penman w/ Miguel Zenón) 

3. Fall Prelude – Miguel Zenón 

4. Gray Skies in Baltimore – Warren Wolf 

5. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson (arranged by David Sánchez) 

6. Franklin & Fell – Sean Jones 

7. Beauty of Space – Edward Simon 

8. Thriller – Michael Jackson (arranged by Obed Calvaire) 

Disc 2

1. Rock With You – Michael Jackson (arranged by Sean Jones) 

2. Smooth Criminal – Michael Jackson (arranged by Miguel Zenón) 

3. Mr. Right – Matt Penman 

4. Lineage – David Sánchez 

5. 150 Million Gold Francs – Obed Calvaire 

6. Human Nature – Michael Jackson (arranged by Warren Wolf) 

7. Why – Robin Eubanks 

8. This Place Hotel – Michael Jackson (arranged by Edward Simon)

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REPUBLIC OF JAZZ TEAM

Zane Rodulfo - Pathways (EP 2016)

Label: Lavway Music

Source: Revive Music 

A brief breath of bass explodes into a lush groove led by drummer Zane Rodulfo and decorated by an impressive line-up of Dayna Stephens (tenor saxophone & EWI), Nir Felder (guitar), Marvin Dolly (guitar), Noble Jolley (piano & Fender rhodes). “Trismegistus” may begin quite simply with Luques Curtis’s bassline plucking its way along a string of milliseconds, but the remainder of the track’s 4 minutes and 8 seconds venture into the stretches of Rodulfo’s musical mind.
Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobego, Zane Rodulfo left his home for the undergraduate program at Oberlin College & Conservatory, ultimately completing his Masters at New York University. This web of geographical influences crop up across the entirety of Rodulfo’s upcoming Pathways EP, including this lead track, “Trismegistus.” In crafting Pathways, “I explored and utilized some of what I heard growing up in Trinidad & Tobago and then in the States, where I moved in my late teens,” Rodulfo said. He went on to explain, “I decided to pay homage to Caribbean rhythms, motifs as well as more contemporary Afro-American, so-called Jazz, ideas and sounds.” But fear not, the tourist-baiting steel pan sound on which commercial calypso banks makes no appearance: the kit (courtesy of Victor Provost and Earl Brooks Jr.) is respected alongside his own drums, layered into the sound rather than tacked on top in hopes of adding “Caribbean flavor.” These Caribbean rhythms and motifs meld effortlessly with Rodulfo’s “so-called Jazz,” creating a feel that could only flow from an artist entrenched in a global network of sounds.
“Trismegistus” traverses its way through this young artist’s journey, taking its listeners along as it pulses with soft-spoken vibrancy. The rhythm tumbles forward, driving the piece forward as each section unfolds into something new, eventually unveiling a climactic EWI solo by Stephens. The piece fades nearly as quickly as it begins, drifting into quiet swells of sound until nothing remains. Zane Rodulfo’s Pathways will be released February 26th, and is available for pre-order February 1st.

1. Abiku
2. Trismegistus
3. Seek
4. Retrospect
5. Hourglass

Zane Rodulfo - Drums
Dayna Stephens - Tenor Saxophone & EWI
Nir Felder - Guitar
Marvin Dolly - Guitar
Noble Jolley - Piano & Fender Rhodes
Luques Curtis - Bass
Victor Provost - Steel Pans #5
Earl Brooks Jr. - Steel Pans #1

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Justin Piper - Avant Funk (2016)

Label: Self Released

Source: Justin Piper

Genre: Jazz-funk

Justin Piper currently resides north of Boston where he teaches, composes and performs.  He is the musical director for the band Ripcord, and also leads his own group, the Justin Piper Group, who perform improvisation based music and his own compositions , often on 8-string guitar.
 Justin also performs solo regularly, playing 20th century classical music and instrumental arrangements of popular music. His musical interests have led him into a love of Eastern music, thus studying both the Oud and the Sarod.
Justin's philosophy as a teacher and educator is to instill his students with the joy of playing music while also nurturing an interest in the theoretical aspects of music.

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Paolo Fresu, Richard Galliano & Jan Lundgren - Mare Nostrum II (2016)

C’est une histoire de coïncidences. De marées hautes, de traditions. De Nord et de Sud, de Baltique et d’Adriatique. Mare Nostrum est un poème en trois temps, une collaboration des plus fortuites entre l’accordéoniste français Richard Galliano, le pianiste suédois Jan Lundgren et le trompettiste italien Paolo Fresu. Un parcours sinueux en contact avec une Méditerranée paisible, bercail d’une musique évocatrice, où les genres les plus surprenants se rencontrent, s’entrelacent. Au loin, on entend des échos de Charles Trenet, des fragments de chansons traditionnelles suédoises et des airs baroques à la Monteverdi. Une douce mélancolie caresse les compositions de ce trio d’explorateurs qui racontent cet instant de grâce précédant l’orage.

Paolo Fresu / trumpet & fluegelhorn

Richard Galliano / accordion, bandoneon & accordina

Jan Lundgren / piano

01. Apnea (Fresu, Paolo) 05:05

02. Blue Silence (Lundgren, Jan) 05:09

03. Aurore (Galliano, Richard) 03:57

04. Christallen Den Fina (trad., arr. by Lundgren, Jan) 05:49

05. Giselle (Galliano, Richard) 05:09

06. E Varie Notti Tre Vie Notai (Fresu, Paolo) 04:30

07. Farväl (Lundgren, Jan) 04:47

08. Gnossienne No. 1 (Satie, Erik, arr. by Galliano, Richard)) 04:47

09. Lili (Galliano, Richard) 03:42

10. Leklåt (Lundgren, Jan) 04:02

11. Le Livre D’un Père Sarde (Fresu, Paolo) 04:11

12. Si Dolce È Il Tormento (Monteverdi, Claudio, arr. by Fresu, Paolo) 06:11

Produced by René Hess / HR Music

Executive Producer: Siggi Loch

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Gérard de Haro

at Studios La Buissonne, Pernes-les-Fontaines (France), February 23-26, 2014.

Assisted by Nicolas Baillard

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Domi