Scott, Mariylyn

Label: Venus
Every Time We Say Goodbye
Ballads, Blues

Performance: 3
Sound: 3

O's Notes: Marilyn's voice is soft and soothing and we are instantly put into a romantic mood on the opener, "Every Time We Say Goodbye". Ken Peplowski (sax) and Paul Bollenback (g) add pleasing accompaniment on that number as well as throughout the set. That is just the beginning of a wonderful program including "Caravan" and "I Love Paris". Cyrus Chestnut (p), Gerald Cannon (b) and Willie Jones III (d) make up a strong rhythm section. Producers Todd Barkan and Tetsuo Hara do a fine job for Scott.

Pankey, Jr., David

Label: Pankey
Out of The Box
Bebop

Performance: 4
Sound: 3

O's Notes: Pianist Pankey is a jazz traditionalist, a man who has kept music in his heart and soul since he was a teenager and through a successful career as an executive in corporate America. We've discovered him here in the greater Charlotte, NC area where he has a strong reputation for providing sophisticated adult entertainment; that would be straight ahead jazz. He has a great sense of pace and great chops. If you pass through Charlotte, check him out at NordstromÕs! If not, pick up a copy of Out of the Box, his last CD with ten classics ranging from a little samba "Quiet Nights" to "My Funny Valentine" and "People Make The World Go Round". Pankey enlists guitarist Herb Stephens, James Baker (d) and Jeff Holland (b) to form a vibrant quartet. They play with a quiet confidence warming any occasion.

Irene

Label: Irene Nachreiner
Summer Samba
Latin

Performance: 3
Sound: 3

O's Notes: Irene presents a vocal collection of fourteen popular songs. The composers include Jobim, Berlin, Porter, Consuelo Velazquez and Sergio Mendes. All of the songs are done with a samba twist. Marco Tulio (g), Daniel Groisman (b) and Rich Wetzel (p) lead Irene's Latin Jazz Band. Among the highlights is the title track, with a warm sax solo from Scott Martin, and "Little Boat" with Bruce Martin accompanying on flute.

Hamilton, Scott

Label: Concord
Across the Tracks
Swing

Performance: 5
Sound: 4

O's Notes: Hamilton leads a well-oiled ensemble for nine jazz classics. The unmistakable warmth of his tenor sax resonates over Gene Ludwig's bubbling organ on "Save Your Love For Me" and "Sweet Slumber". We also liked the toe-tapping groove of "Cop Out" featuring cat and mouse solos between guitarist, Duke Robillard and Hamilton. Doug James broadens the brass adding baritone sax on "Intermission Riff" and "Parker's Pals". They sound great on the burners and the ballads making this is an enjoyable session all the way through.

Stein Brothers

Label: Jazzed Media
Quixotic
Bebop

Performance: 4
Sound: 3

O's Notes: We first heard these guys at a dinner club in NJ during 2005 as a trio with the same pianist, Mferghu. They still look like teenagers but sound like veterans. We were impressed with them then and happy to review their debut recording. Alex (ts) and Asher (as) blend for a warm mellow sound. They play mostly originals with o few standards. We liked "Trailblazer", "Mr. QC" and "Midlife Crisis" best in a very good set. They are serious about traditional jazz and if they persist with music like this, they will become well renowned in the jazz community. But you don't need to wait to enjoy the Stein Brothers. This vintage is ready to enjoy today!