Bucher / Countryman (feat. Simon Tan & Isla Antinero) - Extremely Live in Manila (CHAP CHAP RECORDS 2018)

A live concert in Quezon City from the Manila based duo of Rich Countryman on alto saxophone and Swiss drummer Christian Bucher, who are joined on one track by acoustic bassist Simon Tan and trombonist Isla Antinero.

"The performance was our latest evolution and conceptual development of our personal style of abstract music. It was a rare opportunity for us to stretch in the duo format. It wasn't a planned recording, but we both felt it captured and documented some different aspects of our play and progression."

Rick Countryman

Rick Countryman - alto saxophone

Christian Bucher - drums

Simon Tan - acoustic bass

Isla Antinero - trombone

1. Dynamic Range Of Expression 16:24

2. Child Of The Unknown 13:35

3. Dynamic Range Of Expression (For Quartet) 13:45

4. Out Take 0:40

Recorded live in Quezon City, Philippines, on July 12th & 13th, 2018 by Peter Bucher.

UHHM - UHHM (2018)

UHHM was founded in early 2017 with the hopes of creating a sound that both embraced the traditions that its members built their sound upon, while forging something new. The group’s sound draws from a variety of sound worlds - ranging from rock, to free jazz. UHHM believes in creating unique and challenging music without alienating people and drawing in listeners from all genres.

Nick Saia, guitar

Chris Frick, keyboards and horn

Jack Naden, drums

All compositions by Nick Saia except for Track 2 by Jack Naden

Recording and mixing by Eric Kantor

Mastering by Keith Reynaud

1. Ditty 04:34

2. Septagon 04:58

3. Arrival 03:52

4. Too 07:44

5. Very Slow 04:30

6. Paradigm Shift 05:50

7. Frustrations 06:56

Han-earl Park, Catherine Sikora and Nick Didkovsky - Eris 136199 (October 9, 2018)

Noise multiplies via telephone futz, riding the transcontinental signal; a clockwork tight-rope walker dances, navigating (gears shift and gear grind) tension; and, above all, rises the Big Note around which we all fall to orbit.

Formed in New York in 2012, Eris 136199 is the quick-reacting cyborg virtuosity of Han-earl Park (Sirene 1009), the mighty melodic imagination and big tenor sound of Catherine Sikora (Clockwork Mercury), and the diamond-cut precision and grind-meets-experimentalism of Nick Didkovsky (Doctor Nerve).

Recorded during the 2017 European tour, Eris 136199’s eponymous album is the trio’s followup to their debut recording Anomic Aphasia (SLAMCD 559, 2015) which was described as “a beautiful noise” (KFJC 89.7 FM) and “atmospheric as to become almost frightening” (The New York City Jazz Record).

Han-earl Park: guitar

Catherine Sikora: saxophone

Nick Didkovsky: guitar

1. Therianthropy I

2. Therianthropy II 08:55

3. Therianthropy III 03:54

4. Therianthropy IV 06:33

5. Adaptive Radiation I

6. Adaptive Radiation II

7. Adaptive Radiation III

8. Universal Greebly

9. Hypnagogia I

10. Hypnagogia II

Tracks 1–4, 9 and 10 recorded live November 2, 2017, Bryggekælderen, Copenhagen

Tracks 5–8 recorded live November 5, 2017, The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle

Copenhagen performance presented by Jazz Club Loco and Jvtlandt

Newcastle performance presented by Jazz North East

Recording and tour made possible by the awesome support of our Kickstarter backers

Music by Han-earl Park, Catherine Sikora and Nick Didkovsky

Tracks 1–4, 9 and 10 recorded by Troels Bech. Live-mix by Troels Bech

Tracks 5–8 recorded by Charlie McGovern. Mixed by Han-earl Park

Mastered by Richard Scott

Design and artwork by Han-earl Park

Han-earl Park, Catherine Sikora and Nick Didkovsky - Eris 136199: Cryptogenic Animals (2018)

Improviser, guitarist and constructor Han-earl Park (박한얼) has been crossing borders and performing fuzzily idiomatic, on occasion experimental, always traditional, open improvised musics. Ensembles include Mathilde 253 with Charles Hayward and Ian Smith, Eris 136199 with Nick Didkovsky and Catherine Sikora, and Numbers with Richard Barrett.

Han-earl Park: guitar

Catherine Sikora: saxophone

Nick Didkovsky: guitar

Performance presented by Xposed Club

Recording and tour made possible by the awesome support of our Kickstarter backers

All music by Han-earl Park, Catherine Sikora and Nick Didkovsky

Recorded by Han-earl Park and Nick Didkovsky

Mixed and mastered by Han-earl Park

Artwork by Han-earl Park

1. Cryptogenic Animals I 05:25

2. Cryptogenic Animals II 06:45

3. Cryptogenic Animals III 05:00

4. Monkey Wrench I 06:09

5. Monkey Wrench II 07:59

6. Spherical Cow I 07:29

7. Spherical Cow II 03:04

8. Dendrobranchiata Murmurationis I 03:17

9. Dendrobranchiata Murmurationis II 05:10

New York All-Stars (feat. Eric Alexander & Harold Mabern) - Burnin' in London (UBUNTU MUSIC September 7, 2018)

"Mabern really is a remarkable talent. At 81, he’s still playing with the passion of a man at least half his age and his ace pupil Eric Alexander continues to grow." Jazzwise

The New York All-Stars feature Eric Alexander on saxophone, Harold Mabern on piano, bassist Darryl Hall and drummer Bernd Reiter.  They play energetic and swinging music on the highest level, presented with the utmost professionalism and uninhibited enthusiasm.

Recorded at the legendary Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho, London on 20 & 21 November 2017, Burnin’ in London, features six classic tunes including Harold Mabern’s own ‘Nightlife in Tokyo’ and a beautiful interpretation of Gershwin’s classic ‘Summertime’.

“The music on this album speaks for itself.  The interplay between Eric and Harold is magical, supported by the rock solid bass lines from Darryl and the exacting rhythmic underpinning of Bernd’s precision-like drumming,” says Martin Hummel, Ubuntu Music Director.  “…the album captures a moment in time when Eric was anchored in his musical sweet spot while the band – and the audience – hung on and coasted with every note along the blissful, energetic journey.”

MAURICE FRANK New York CD Release "Mad Romance and Love" Fri., Nov. 2nd Jazz at Kitano

MAURICE FRANK
New York CD Release
"Mad Romance and Love"
Friday, November 2nd
Jazz at Kitano
66 Park Ave
New York, NY 10016
Reservations: 212-885-7119
http://www.kitano.com/Jazz-Schedule

Featuring
Maurice Frank-Vocals
John DiMartino-Piano
Neal Miner-Bass
Mark Taylor-Drums

New CD

Maurice Frank 

Mad Romance and Love

(Jumo Music 1007)

Street Date: July 6, 2018

Maurice Frank-vocals, John DiMartino-piano, arrangements,

Eric Alexander-tenor sax, Aaron Heick-soprano sac, clarinet, alto flute,

Paul Meyers-guitar, Luques Curtis-bass,

Obed Calvaire-drums, Samuel Torres-percussion

Track listing

1. Dream Dancing 4:43

2. How Little We Know (How Little It Matters) 2:393. Slow Hot Wind 4:41

4. Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me 4:31

5. Day Dream 4:41

6. Save Your Love For Me 4:35

7. Yesterdays 3:44

8. Yellow Days 3:43

9. Baubles Bangles and Beads 3:47

10. She’s Funny That Way 4:00

11. In My Life 3:13

12. On the Street Where You Live 5:26

Maurice Frank is a native New Yorker. He grew up listening to the great singers of the 50’s and 60’s and it left its mark on him.

Mad Romance and Love is his debut release. It’s heart felt and striking for its warmth, sensitivity and choice of songs. The musicians are top notch! Featuring the groove tones of tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander and pianist/arranger John DiMartino, who provides a palette of swing and latin colors. Performing on the East Coast and beyond and now residing in Florida, “Moe’s” new release is a sophisticated sound coming from a “new to the scene”, yet seasoned artist, who is a fresh interpreter of both standards and not frequently heard songs.

“What I feel so abundantly from Maurice’s singing is a deep and honest affinity for the ballad, the love song and the swinger.Congratulations for nailing a gem of a recording.”

Benny Green

Marie Goudy 12tet - The Bitter Suite (October 12th 2018)

Toronto trumpeter, singer and composer Marie Goudy’s debut album The Bitter Suite is an ambitious and beautiful act of storytelling – a vivid depiction of young love as reflected in the distinct character of each of the year’s four seasons. This haunting, lyrical song cycle features her lifelong friend, vocalist Jocelyn Barth, and 10 of Toronto’s most exciting young instrumentalists.

In four movements, the lyrics express the excitement of new summer love; the warmth and comfort of a new partnership in autumn; the distinctive chill that only heartbreak in winter can bring; and the wistfulness of spring, when new growth brings a reminder of past loves now lost.

The Bitter Suite is an exciting addition to Canada’s large jazz ensemble tradition. Producer John MacLeod – one of Canada’s best known big band leaders and trumpeters – helps connect it to that storied history. In addition to jazz influences, The Bitter Suite is also heavily informed by Mariachi music, a style in which Marie has worked for years - it features pieces written in the Son Jailciense and Huapango styles. Marie seamlessly integrates these sounds into her music: she has created an incredible new fusion of jazz and Mariachi that brings to mind both Kenny Wheeler’s gorgeous Music for Large Ensemble and of Miles Davis’s texturally innovative Sketches of Spain.

Closing the album is ‘Remember The Days’, a evocation to Marie and Jocelyn’s time growing up together. As an album, The Bitter Suite is ultimately a tribute to Marie and Jocelyn’ musical and personal relationship. It is a poignant and heartfelt record, sure to please all curious ears.

A native of Toronto, trumpet player/vocalist Marie Goudy started her professional career at the age of sixteen. By the age of nineteen, she had already played with many notable musicians including Benny Golson, Cleo Laine and Maria Schneider. Since then she has performed with Michael Buble, Donny McCaslin, and many others.

She graduated from the University of Toronto's Masters in Jazz Performance program in 2017. She has made her mark on the Toronto music scene playing jazz, funk, mariachi, folk and Latin music, and was a featured soloist in the 2018 SOCAN Awards. Marie has played on three JUNO-nominated albums with folk-funk singer/songwriter Alysha Brilla and toured to France, Chile, Yellowknife, and Singapore with that group.

The Bitter Suite will be released worldwide on Friday, October 12th 2018 and the release will be celebrated with a performance at the Rex Hotel & Jazz Bar in Toronto on Wednesday, October 17th, 2018. 

www.MarieGoudy.com

Dhafer Youssef - Sounds of Mirrors (ANTEPRIMA 2018)

Dhafer Youssef

Nouvel album Sounds of Mirrors

Sortie le 05/10 chez Anteprima

Entre la grammaire musicale de sa Tunisie natale et celle du jazz le plus moderne et le plus aiguisé, le chanteur virtuose et joueur de oud Dhafer Youssef développe depuis plus de dix ans une identité stylistique inimitable et passionnante. On retrouve aujourd'hui Dhafer Youssef qui, avec la sortie de son nouvel album Sounds of Mirrors, assouvit son rêve de musique indienne, en un album qui invente un monde sonore saisissant de beauté.

Le vocaliste et oudiste tunisien Dhafer Youssef a toujours su s’entourer des meilleurs instrumentistes. Après avoir eu comme sidemen Mark Guiliana, Tigran Hamasyan, Nils Petter Molvaer et nombre d’autres solistes inspirés, le voici entouré d’une nouvelle et rutilante équipe pour présenter le répertoire de son prochain album Sounds of Mirrors. On compte ainsi à ses côtés le célèbre Zakir Hussain aux tablas, le très méditatif guitariste norvégien Eivind Aarset et le clarinettiste turc Husnu Selendirici encore largement méconnu du public français. Le gratin des musiciens des quatre coins du monde n’est certainement pas de trop pour Dhafer Youssef, connu pour l’éminente virtuosité de sa voix qui atteint des sommets d’émotion — et d’aigus — lors d’envolées mélodiques toujours aussi poignantes de concerts en concerts. Immanquable.

Certains musiciens connaissent une relation sacrée et profondément intérieure avec leur art. Quand à 19 ans Dhafer Youssef découvre la musique indienne à Vienne, où il étudie la musique classique, l’initiation fait l’effet d’un émerveillement et d’une révélation. Les sonorités hindoues touchent au coeur de l’âme musicale de Dhafer : « J’étais à la fois émerveillé et convaincu qu’un jour le jouerai avec des légendes de la musique indienne… », se rappelle, trente ans plus tard, le compositeur tunisien. 

Aujourd'hui, le musicien voyageur qui a contribué à introduire l’oud dans le jazz, assouvit son rêve de musique indienne et invite, dans un premier temps, le célèbre percussionniste Zakir Hussain à partager quelques scènes françaises en duo. La symbiose est au rendez-vous mais il manque une couleur : un instrument à vent. Dhafer Youssef convoque alors une autre « âme soeur » : le clarinettiste turc Hüsnü Şenlendirici. Le trio esquisse en concert la matière première du 12 titres « Sounds Of Mirrors ».

L’enregistrement débute à Bombay, puis se poursuit à Istanbul où Eivind Aarset, l’aérien guitariste jazz en provenance de Norvège, rejoint l’aventure inédite. Car le disque qui, à l’origine, était un hommage à Zakir Hussain et au tabla prend alors une direction inattendue. « J’ai senti que, partant d’un socle culturel indien, nous pouvions aller vers un propos plus universel... Cet enregistrement m’a fait l’effet d’une ode à l’amitié et à la fraternité. Quand nous jouions ensemble, j’avais la nette sensation que des âmes soeurs se reflétaient. D’où le titre de l’album : « Sounds Of Mirrors », raconte Dhafer.

De fait, l’album mixé au studio Nilento de Göteborg (Suède) connaît quelques moments en apesanteur durant lesquels quatre musiciens semblent se tenir dans un même souffle. Dès l’introductif « Humankind » – superbe climat méditatif coloré d’orientalisme léger – la voix de tête de Dhafer Youssef rejoint la clarinette pour ne faire qu’un. Plus loin, avec « Ruby Like Wine » et « Like Dust I May Rise », Dhafer affirme encore son talent pour établir une atmosphère rêvée avec une réelle économie de notes. Où les nappes célestes d’Eivind Aarset font merveilles. « Pour moi, c’est un disque plus méditatif, plus spirituel et plus facile d’accès que le précédent, « Diwan Of Beauty and Odd ». Mais attention ! Ici, rechercher une forme de paix profonde et de sagesse n’a rien de la démarche religieuse », précise Dhafer Youssef. OEuvre de la maturité musicale excellence, la voix se met en retrait au bénéfice d’une musique qui se déploie, épanouie. Emergent alors toutes les finesses de la composition et le talent du soliste.

Si la colonne vertébrale du disque tient en 5 titres contemplatifs (dont certains évoquent parfois les utopies ambient de Jon Hassell), le goût de Dhafer Youssef pour le groove ne se dément jamais. Chez lui, les rythmes impairs sonnent comme des pulsations paires : un irrépressible « drive » donne à coup sûr l’envie de battre le tempo – en particulier sur « Dance Layan Dance » (en clin d’oeil à sa fille), « Journey in Bergama », « Nasikhabhushani » ou encore l’entraînant « Chakkaradaar ». Place aux timbres précis des tablas de Zakir Hussain, conjugués au oud en liberté de Dhafer. « Avec l’âge, on n’a plus besoin de se justifier musicalement », dit-il dans un sourire. Une aubaine pour l’auditeur qui assiste ainsi, au fil du renouvellement permanent de Dhafer Youssef, à de nouvelles rencontres comme autant de couleurs musicales jamais imaginées. L’art du partage tient de l’alchimie fine.

TRACKLIST:

1. HUMANKIND 7’19

2. DANCE LAYAN DANCE 4’36

3. AL WADOOD 7’00

4. RUBY LIKE WINE (TO SHEIKH MUHAMMED OMRAN) 6’02

5. JOURNEY IN BERGAMA 5’03

6. LIKE DUST I MAY RISE (TO SHIRAZ) 4’58

7. NASIKABHUSHANI (TO ZAKIR) 3’19

8. SHAANTI « ATITHI DEVO BHAVA » SUITE 4’19

9. CHAKKARADAAR « ATITHI DEVO BHAVA » SUITE 5’38

10. SATYA « SATYAGRAHA » SUITE 4’54

11. SATYAGRAHA « SATYAGRAHA » SUITE 6’42

12. GOOD MORNING MUMBAI (TO ZAKIR) 6’28

Tous les morceaux sont composés et arrangés par Dhafer Youssef

SKNAIL: New Album

NEW ALBUM

"Mutation" 

released on the 21st of September

with :

SKNAIL (production, electronics)

Billie Bird (vocals)

Nya (vocals)

Yannick Barman (trumpet)

Stéphane Chapuis (bandoneon)

Philippe Ehinger (bass clarinet)

Guy-François Leuenberger (piano)

Alain Dessauges (double bass)

Special guest : Cyril Regamey (drums on 1 track)

For their third album "Mutation", SKNAIL continues the exploration of their pioneering avant-garde glitch jazz by integrating into the band female vocalist Billie Bird, a bandoneon player, and a guest drummer on one of the tracks. This time, more than ever with the fusion of timbres and styles of the past and future, they are taking jazz to unexplored territories. These musical mutations will be part of the new 10 track album. The artwork and video is realized by visionary Turkish artist Can Pekdemir.

Artwork and video by Can Pekdemir

"I've mutated ... but I still don't know what I have become ... !"