|
Santiago, Daniel
Label: Adventure
Metropole
Fusion
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
O's Notes: Guitarist Daniel Santiago leads a highly energetic quintet through a dozen of his compositions. His team is Josuˇ Lopez (sax), Vitor Gon¨alves (p), Gito Wirtti (b) and either Edu Ribeiro or Marcio Bahia on drums. We felt their pulse immediately on the opener "Old City". The vibe is a cool, Latin, fusion that is easy to embrace especially on "Letter To The World" and "Angola's Dance". There is a lot to enjoy here as Santiago makes a strong statement with an album that will appeal to contemporary, fusion and Latin audiences.
|
|
Pasin, Chris
Label: H2O Records
Detour Ahead
Bebop
Performance: 5
Sound: 4
O's Notes: Trumpeter Chris Pasin had a strong start in 1980 starting with Buddy Rich and then several other notables in New York. He then disappeared from the jazz scene. He is back after 22 years and released this recording (made back in 1987) to commemorate his return. The all-star lineup includes Rufus Reid (b), Benny Green (p), Steve Slagle (sax, fl) and Dannie Richman (d). The program is mostly originals with a couple of standards. Chris blows warm tones through his trumpet making these eight selections very soothing and satisfying. He cooks on "Jackhammer" and caresses us on "My Romance". We liked duality of "Island", starting slow and then racing ahead with Green taking the lead warming up the crowd for the brass then Reid's impressive bass solo that leads to the wind down and Pasin's closing. This is one of many highlights on a strong, timeless album. We are anxious for more from Pasin, a true talent.
|
|
Moody, James
Label: IPO
4A
Ballads, Blues
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
O's Notes: James Moody plays a warm tenor sax that soothes the mind and spirit. He is well respected by fans, peers and anyone else who happen to experience the pleasure of listening to him. This collection of eight classics is another gem with producer Bill Sorin giving Moody creative control. The supporting cast is Kenny Barron (p), Lewis Nash (d) and Todd Coolman (b). No need for excessive descriptions, just sit back and enjoy it!
|
|
Easley, Bill
Label: 18th & Vine
Hearing Voices
Swing
Performance: 4
Sound: 3
O's Notes: From the opening notes of the title track we knew this would be a special album. Bill Easley blows a soulful and warm sax with gutsy tone. He plays like a hungry street corner musician, passionately expressing his moods and phrases spontaneously. We hear that on "Don't Get Around Much Any More" and throughout the set, a program celebrating masters of the sax. The band is a quartet with Greg Bandy (d), Danny Mixon (p) and Hassan Shakurr JJ Wiggins (b). They play with lots of spirit encouraging your involvement and frankly with all of Easely's emotion, you have to engage! Bill touches Parker, Young, Cannonball, Stitt, Jacquet, Hodges, Hawkins and Allen and we celebrate with him.
|
|
Cassity, Sharel
Label: Jazz Legacy
Relentless
Bebop
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
O's Notes: For those who think jazz is dead, dying or died years ago, let me introduce you to Sharel Cassity, one of several young voices on the New York jazz scene that is reinvigorating the space. Sharel plays alto & soprano sax and flute. She's been working the New York circuit for over ten years now and built quite a reputation as a player, composer and collaborator. She longed to play sax as a child and followed her dreams to the realities of Relentless, a collection of eight selections. Cassity wrote six and arranged "On the Nile". The title track was composed by trombonist Michael Dease who plays on five songs. Orrin Evans (p), Dwayne Bruno (b) and E.J. Strickland (d) are a solid core with guest appearances from Jeremy Pelt (t), Thomas Barber (flugelhorn), Don Braden (alto fl) and Andres Boyarsky (ts). Sharel has succeeded in assembling a talented team to express her voice and make a statement. We point to two songs, "Love's Lament", a warm ballad and the burner "Song Of Those Who Seek", as evidence of the presence of invigorating new life in jazz today. Thank you Sharel!
|
|
