May 18, 2008 --Click here for audio
Miguel Zenon – Awake – Marsalis Music
Tracks: “Awakening Prelude”
Zenon has an articulate style that laments as it asserts. His alto sax quotient has a bite even as it caresses in a harmolodic glissandro. His horn work on “Awakening Prelude” is
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| Miguel Zenon |
like the probing introspections of Brian Eno’s ambient series – with more cohesive emotional content and improvisational sensibilities. Yet, there is a compositional attitude in construction. But his rhythmic skills and recapitulation of theme work on “Cameron,” the next composition, features a jaunty sprint down a windy road in a village near you. Zenon is joined by some creative spirits: His core group includes Luis Perdomo( Piano), Has Glawsschnig (bass) and Harry Cole (drums). Strings on “..Prelude” : Judith Insell, Marlene Rice, Orlando wells (violins) and Nioka Workman (cello). Mellifluous. Chaos. Calm. Awake.
Lawson Rollins – Infinita – Infinita
Tracks: “Awakening” “Inifinita"[
There’s an unmistakable Mediterranean aesthetic in Lawson Rollins music. But the collection exhibits reservoirs of Latin and African rhythm and texture. The roster of artists is
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| Lawson Rollins |
stellar, almost like the Yankees of old – not a single light spot in the batting order. On “Awakening,” the interplay between Rollins and versatile violinist Charlie Bisharat drives the music, the percussion provides a contrapuntal undertow. Flora Purim provides mellifluous vocals on the title composition, with longtime collaborator/paramour Aierto Moreira on vocals and percussion and Randy Tico on bass. The connective tissue and this burst of sonic flavor is Rollins’ guitar work, a bright sound with purpose. This is an album that satisfies the casual listener’s moods and the thirsty quest of more discerning musicphiles.
Steve Reid Ensemble – Daxaar – Domino
Track: “Big G’s Family”
Steve Reid may have cut is teeth as a kit drummer doing sessions with seminal soul artists such as Martha and The Vandellas, Marvin Gayes and iconic jazz and World Beat
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| Steve Reid |
artists such as Miles Davis and Fela Kuti, but he definitely finds himself closer to that music’s DNA on this collection. Recorded in Africa with African and European musicians, the is a rich, funky tapestry of roots sounds and western textures. “Big G’s Family” blusters forth like rainbow coalition of African, R&B and rock music. There is no evidence of traditional improvisation, yet that sensibility laces this collection.
Ron Blake – Shayari – Mack Avenue
Track: "What is Your Prayer For?”
Ron Blake is a solid technician, who brings some of his introspective, personal landscape to a vivid music palette. Yet, he is skilled at subtly. Blake’s horn work is flexible
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| Ron Blake |
and hs been honed through indefatigable session work MeShell Ndegeoscello – and his demanding schedule as a teacher at The Juilliard School. But that acute technical acumen, the diverse playing experience does not diminish that personal attitude that he brings to his personal work. He has an engaging conversational style one moment, an abstraction of free association the next. “What is Your Prayer For?” is a confluence of these extremes. His journey is ably assisted on various tracks by Jack DeJohnette, Christian McBride and Regina Carter. Michael Cain produces.
The Collective – Once & Again – The Collective
Track: “Email From Nigeria”
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| The Collective |
These are guys that teach AND do. They are part of the music faculty at the University of Nevada, Reno and as The Collective – Larry Engstrom (trumpet), Peter Epstein
(saxophones), David Ake (piano), Hans Halt (bass) and Andrew Heglund (drums) – they performed with some of the top names in jazz during performances at the Reno Jazz Festival. Once & Again is a collaboration of the whole, each member constributing a composition or two. All are original except for “Loro,” an offering from the dongbook of Brazilian musician Egberto Gismonti. “Emil from Nigeria” is a bombastic romp with energetic playing served up by Engstrom and Epstein,” who wrote the composition. The album might not be available through the traditional commercial channels, but it’s worth going to CD Baby to see if you can’t find it, or inquiring at the University of Nevada, Reno music department Web site.
Danny Lerman – Meow Baby – Sugar Whiskey
Tracks: “No Ordinary Love"
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| Danny Lerman |
Lerman’s supple cover of Sade’s classic smooth is a faithful offering, yet has a measure of sass to it. In fact, Meow Baby as a whole can be likened to an eclectic jukebox that weaves through a variety of styles and manifests the saxophonist’s desire to maintain accessibility while stretching himself. He’ll get contemporary jazz radio airplay, but Lerman deserves some review from the jazz purists who also thought thast the music had died with the Cool or Hard Bop movements. Fine playing.
Arturo Stable – Notes on Canvas – Origen
Tracks: “La Jungla (The Jungle)”
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| Arturo Stable |
This Cuban percussionist stays true to his roots while engaging melodic timbre that can wail and caress. Stable has an accomplished crew of musicians on this album – David Sanchez on tenor saxophone, bassist Charlie Flores and Paquito D’Rivera on reeds. That help him paint a sonic tribute to some of his favorite visual artists – Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Wilfredo Lam and Arturo Stable Sr., among illustrious others. Stable’s percussions skills are distinguished, and his solo on “La Jungla” is a conspicuous display of power.