Read more of the Amazon.com interview with Al Jarreau.
His CDs ON Sale!
"Tomorrow Today"
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NEW AND NOTABLE
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"Stepping Out"
Diana Krall
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When she recorded this debut album, pianist and vocalist
Diana Krall was barely a blip on the international jazz
scene. Her good-time charm and blustery vocals, though, have
since grabbed countless ears, making her one of the music's
guiding lights. "Stepping Out" will delight fans of her
later works with its fine, swinging piano and solid vocal
contributions. Krall shows her potential here-- and a
prodigious level of early talent. This reissue also includes
an unreleased bonus track.
"Prime Directive"
Dave Holland
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Bassist Dave Holland's bands have always been full of
eloquent genius, making the most elaborate compositions
sound fluid and automatic. "Prime Directive" continues the
Holland tradition, with saxophonist Chris Potter and
trombonist Robin Eubanks making scintillating contributions
to these melodies.
"The Invisible Hand"
Greg Osby
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Greg Osby convened a summit meeting for "The Invisible
Hand," pairing guitarist Jim Hall and pianist Andrew Hill on
the same album for the first time in their careers. The
result is a shimmering set of tunes, all of them taken at
lyrical paces that highlight Osby's pristine tone on alto as
well as the mesh of Hall and Hill, who make their most
abstract playing sound gorgeous at all times.
"Swing Is the Thing!"
Flip Phillips
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Flip Phillips has seen every generation of jazz since the
swing era. He earned his stripes, in fact, playing big,
danceable swing tunes, and those very songs populate "Swing
Is the Thing!" Phillips's horn wraps around the melodies,
breathing an air atop the tones that makes him sound at
times as vibrant as he did with Woody Herman. Of course, his
swing is the thing, and the lilt of his horn is his calling
card. James Carter and Joe Lovano help egg him to surprising
heights on several tunes, as well.
"Unsung Heroes"
Tierney Sutton
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Singer Tierney Sutton's sophomore effort is no-frills jazz,
even though it charts new territory. She takes jazz classics
customarily played by instrumentalists and adds her voice to
the tunes. Clearly enamored of the vocal tradition that runs
from Ella Fitzgerald to Al Jarreau, Sutton sings the way
horn players play, with a stepping-stone logic that's always
reveling in the moment and seeking to head someplace new.
GREAT GUITARS
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"Ghost Town"
Bill Frisell
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Bill Frisell is one of jazz guitar's premier stylists. On
this, his first-ever solo recording, he interpolates a
variety of musical sources into a mellow, contemplative
mix. Hank Williams, the Carter Family, and "The Far Side"
cartoons are all inspiration for the gently whimsical
Frisell, who's made an album that's best described as a
sleeper, the kind of thing you find yourself loving hours
after you hear it.
"Fingerprints"
Larry Carlton
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A monster talent in the overlapping worlds of jazz fusion
and smooth jazz, guitarist Larry Carlton presents a solid
program of radio-ready delights on "Fingerprints." Anyone
familiar with his former band, Fourplay, will love
"Fingerprints," with its mix of instrumental prowess and
chilly-cool vibes.
"Bump"
John Scofield
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John Scofield is one of jazz's premier guitar stylists,
adopting a clipped, funky sound that's become his trademark.
"Bump" features Scofield in his first outing since "A Go
Go," which featured the burning grooves of Medeski Martin &
Wood. "Bump" has all the same wily drive and unabashed love
of hip, rhythmic energy--and it's got an even more
razor-sharp melodic edge.
"Brighter Day"
Ronny Jordan
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Acid-jazz pioneer Ronny Jordan has expanded the electric
guitar tradition in jazz with past releases. Here, he brings
his sense of funk and soul to bear on a selection of
smooth-jazz tunes. He plays slick, clean lines on a
"Brighter Day," keeping the album mellow without lessening
its musical impact.
More great guitars
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SWING SHIFT (REDUX)
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"The Hotel Child"
Ingrid Lucia and the Flying Neutrinos
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Ingrid Lucia has been in the swing-jazz business since she
was a kid. Her childhood was spent entertaining, living in
hotels, and honing her vocal chops into a meld of early
Billie Holiday and early Ella Fitzgerald. Her voice is
chirpy and lilting when the swing kicks in, and it kicks
often. She's the real thing, a swing "lifer" on a mission to
play good-time grooves.
"Everybody's Talkin' 'Bout Miss Thing!"
Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers
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San Francisco's Lavay Smith has been chasing down the swing
vibe for years, toiling away from the madding swing faddists
and keeping the music--rather than swing culture--at the
center of her focus. Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers play a
tasty mix of jump blues, boogie woogie, and all-out,
old-time swing with abandon and effervescence, showing how
strong the music--fad or no--is when it's played well.
"Duke Ellington's Sound of Love"
Vienna Art Orchestra
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It seems there's an Ellington tribute for every day of the
year, but this one is unique--in much the same way Anthony
Brown's "Far East Suite" is. Matthias Ruegg's Vienna Art
Orchestra thrives in Ellington's nooks and crannies, blowing
doors on some rarely heard material and then playing "Take
the 'A' Train" as a sublime bass-clarinet vehicle. They
bustle when you don't expect them to, putting a bright,
horn-driven finish or a midnight burnish on whatever they
touch.
More neo swing picks
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BOX SETS
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"The Freelance Years"
Sonny Rollins
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Some of Sonny Rollins's best music was recorded on labels
that are now part of the Fantasy Jazz family, and this
five-CD box set contains much of that inspiring work. It
includes all of Rollins's music for the New York Riverside
and Los Angeles Contemporary labels, recorded between
December 1956 and October 1958. "Freedom Suite," "Way Out
West," and pivotal dates with Thelonious Monk and Kenny
Dorham are here in their full bloom, showing off one of the
most comprehensive saxophone voices in all of jazz.
More box sets
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RECENT AVANT-GARDE
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"Mirakle"
Derek Bailey, Calvin Weston, Jamaaldeen Tacuma
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It's hard to picture, maybe, but the marriage of
Philadelphia-based funk and British abstract free
improvisation on "Mirakle" is brilliant. Derek Bailey
suppresses all excess, squeezing minimal gestures into tiny
but voluble bursts as Calvin Weston and Jamaaldeen Tacuma
ricochet around the tunes. Then Bailey goes big, opening up
cavernous blasts and grinding away while Tacuma and Weston
play speedily along.
"Drawn Inward"
Evan Parker
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Available in Europe for several years now, Evan Parker's
Electro-Acoustic Ensemble's "Drawn Inward" is finally
available in the U.S. It's been around long enough to be
considered a peak experience for Parker, whose soprano and
tenor saxes get squiggled and smudged and reconstituted live
by the intrepid, electronics-wielding portion of his band.
"The Invisible"
Peter Epstein
REVIEW
Peter Epstein's quartet makes its second appearance on CD
with "The Invisible," and the mix of Epstein's saxes, Jamie
Saft's keyboards, Chris Dahlgren's bass, and Jim Black's
clattery percussion is infectious. The tunes alternate
between an airy float and a dug-in churn, always enriched by
pristine sound. Epstein has the compositional sense of Tim
Berne, always building up to new plateaus that can disappear
in a heartbeat.
"Equal Interest"
Equal Interest
REVIEW
Reeds dynamaestro Joseph Jarman, violinist and violist Leroy
Jenkins, and pianist Myra Melford form an ad-hoc,
intergenerational supergroup. They play intricately composed
work that is part folk and part free jazz, with each player
picking up assorted instruments--including harmonium,
Vietnamese oboe, and Turkish hand drums--and adding a
rainbow of colors.
More recent avant-garde
REVIEW
"Live in Chicago"
Kurt Elling
REVIEW
If Kurt Elling's exuberant singing is any indication, the path from divinity school to Chicago's Green Mill is a lively one. "Live in Chicago" showcases Elling's far-reaching smarts, whether he's rhapsodizing to a Wayne Shorter classic or jamming with legendary Windy City guests like saxophonist Von Freeman and percussionist Kahil El'Zabar.
"A Map of the World"
Pat Metheny
REVIEW
For his audacious energy alone, Pat Metheny ranks among the most potent guitarists in jazz. Yet his soundtrack to "A Map of the World" refracts the film's contemplative mood through a prism of orchestral backing, gently illustrated guitar pictures, and more. Fans of Metheny's "Beyond the Missouri Sky" will love his latest.
"Prime Cuts--the Columbia Years: 1987-1999"
Grover Washington Jr.
REVIEW
Grover Washington's marriage of 1960s soul jazz with the emerging electric fusion of the 1970s presaged the entire "smooth jazz" genre. And when he died unexpectedly in late 1999, Washington was still exploring the music he helped pioneer. "Prime Cuts" collects work from the tail end of Washington's career, including his remake of Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" and many other slinky selections. The collection includes some of his last recordings.
"Not Two, Not One"
Paul Bley/Gary Peacock/Paul Motian
REVIEW
Hearkening back to the 1960s when pianist Paul Bley briefly fronted this same trio, "Not Two, Not One" is both bristling and crisply spare. Each of these musicians is a virtuoso of space and an inspired inventor possessed of an edgy creativity. This sometimes pensive, sometimes rapturous music possesses a sheer sonic beauty, alternately tense and playful.
"The Best of Yellowjackets"
Yellowjackets
REVIEW
The Yellowjackets have long stood out among their contemporary jazz peers. When others relied on soft, machine-steady grooves and simple solos, the Yellowjackets employed considerable rhythmic power. And once Bob Mintzer joined on saxophones, the band gained the respect of many acoustic jazz fans while mining gold with their most pop-leaning elements. Here's the ultimate Yellowjackets set, chronicling their various lineups and featuring original guitarist Robben Ford as well as vocalist Bobby McFerrin.
New Latin Jazz:
"Portraits in Jazz and Clave"
Ray Barretto & New World Spirit + 4
REVIEW
With "Portraits in Jazz & Clave," conguero Ray Barretto and his New World Spirit climb to new heights. They apply Barretto's astute clave consciousness to classics by Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk, among others. Guests include Joe Lovano and Kenny Burrell.
"Ancestral Reflections"
Frank Emilio
REVIEW
Sweet and gorgeous in its understated, flute-colored proceedings, Frank Emilio's "Ancestral Reflections" displays such mastery over Afro-Cuban genres that it's crystal clear why three generations of Cuban musicians have held him in such high esteem. This is not a raucous display of Latin jazz flavors but rather a moving portrait of tradition and one stunningly original--if also very romantic--pianist who deserves Buena Vista Social Club-like acclaim.
"Latin Soul"
Poncho Sanchez
REVIEW
Percussionist Poncho Sanchez's "Latin Soul" is a speedy, richly colored tapestry of different Latin jazz traditions, from Mongo Santamaria's soulful strut to all-out Afro-Cubanizations of classic funk. Sanchez's band crackles with high-flying solos and jumping tempos, assuring listeners that few, if any, regular ensembles can out-hip them.
"Nuyorican Nights"
Chris Washburne
REVIEW
Chris Washburne has played regularly with salsa stalwarts like Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, and Marc Anthony, and clearly knows what he's doing when it comes to the Latin beat. But what makes "Nuyorican Nights" such a standout is Washburne's ensemble. They're well versed not only in the various styles of salsa--from the rumba of the title track to the mambo of "Huracan" to the cha-cha of "Spurier's Dream"--but they also excel in using each style as a jumping-off point for Washburne's unique arrangements and original compositions.
RECOMMENDED REISSUES
"Grant's First Stand"
Grant Green
REVIEW
With so much greatness packed into "Idle Moments," Grant Green's most famed album, it's almost unbelievable that his debut, "Grant's First Stand," took so long to return on CD. His playing sounds fully developed on this 1961 gem, with clean, single-note lines and the logic of a saxophonist.
For more Recommended Reissues, visit:
REVIEW
GRAMMY NOMINEES 1999
"Joy Ride"
Bob James
REVIEW
Nominated for Best Contemporary Jazz Performance, pianist Bob James's "Joy Ride" features his astute playing in abundance. His piano playing is, as usual, distinctive, even when James invites guests like Boney James and Fourplay, any of whom could tilt the album away from its leader--and all of whom complement the esteemed keyboardist.
"Change"
Chick Corea
REVIEW
When Chick Corea decided to return to acoustic jazz, he could not have put together a more robust band than Origin. And even though they're a young crew, Origin--and Corea--play fantastically. Whether they're pushing standards or pressing home with Corea soloing on piano, Origin sounds fired up and energized by their leader. Nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo on the song "Wigwam," Corea sounds equally inspired by his younger cohorts.
"Requiem"
Branford Marsalis
REVIEW
Branford Marsalis's "Requiem" jumps at the listener with its offhand quality, its looseness and pulsing force--an open door for listeners of all stripes. While in the midst of recording "Requiem," Marsalis's pianist of choice, Kenny Kirkland, died suddenly. So Marsalis decided to honor Kirkland with some of the ivory tickler's most inspired playing. Nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, "Requiem" is brilliant.
"It's All About Love"
Carla Cook
REVIEW
Carla Cook's not nearly the most obvious nominee for Best Jazz Vocal Performance but she's as deserving as any of her fellow nominees. She's got a strong feel for the blues and can scat with abandon. Moreover, violinist Regina Carter adds a dramatic flair to Cook's tunes and the band improvisations on "It's All About Love."
"Inspiration"
Sam Rivers
REVIEW
Nominated for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance, Sam Rivers's "Inspiration" is truly inspiring. Rivers has composed and improvised in the waters between bop and avant-garde for decades. And with this version of his Rivbea All-Star Orchestra, he plays riveting, solo-infused big band pieces that sound like a cross between funk and free jazz.
"Briyumba Palo Conga"
Jesus "Chucho" Valdes
REVIEW
Nominated for Best Latin Jazz Performance, Chucho Valdes's "Briyumba Palo Congo" is a study in musical tension and dialogue. He enlists a pair of hand percussionists and trap drummer Raul Pineda Roque, who shares with Valdes a smolder that turns to conflagration when their tense interplays burst. Valdes runs away from the pack in spots, shuffling across the keyboard and leaving a wake of chromatic color.
More 1999 Grammy nominations in jazz: REVIEW
MISSED BOATS 1999
In the maelstrom of deserving albums released each year, editors and critics are bound to miss some highlights. So here are a few that jumped out during the year and inexplicably recessed, only to leap again at the century's turn.
"Chillin'"
David "Fathead" Newman
REVIEW
Longtime Ray Charles band member David "Fathead" Newman's "Chillin'" puts his Texas tenor (and soprano and flute) in front of a hopping, then smoldering band. Bryan Carrott's vibraphone sings as Newman plays fervently on "Take the Coltrane." With ballads, blues, and even a grandly sung "Caravan," "Chillin'" is first rate.
"Evolution"
John Lewis
REVIEW
Pianist John Lewis spent decades with the Modern Jazz Quartet, but rarely has he sounded as beautiful as on "Evolution." This solo piano session is pristinely calm and articulate beyond words.
"Moonstone Journey"
Ok Nok ... Kongo
REVIEW
John Tchicai's saxophone graced many key recordings of the '60s avant-garde. His Ok Nok ... Kongo, though, focuses more widely (and more wildly) on an eclectic, postbop sound that's part Prime Time and part Mingus but always adding up to more than its parts.
"In the Blink of an Eye"
Sam Yahel
REVIEW
Sam Yahel is not the best known Hammond B-3 organist, but he sounds like a hybrid of two of the keyboard's greats. Jimmy Smith gets conjured up in Yahel's bluesy touches, and Larry Young burbles out in the more far-reaching episodes and abstract textures. For organ fans and postbop enthusiasts, as well as for generalists, "In the Blink of an Eye" will earn far more play in 2000.
"Pleasant Valley"
Javon Jackson
REVIEW
Tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson just doesn't get enough credit. With a string of very good records already to his name, "Pleasant Valley" signals a breakthrough into the next level. Tremendously versatile, balanced, and diverse, Jackson's playing includes loungy, groovy funk and hot, straightahead blowing.
"Conversations"
Archie Shepp and the Ritual Trio
REVIEW
A leader of the '60s avant-garde, saxophonist Archie Shepp has recorded only a handful of times in the '90s. For "Conversations," his collaboration with the Ritual Trio (Kahil El'Zabar, Ari Brown, and Malachi Favors), Shepp couldn't have picked more sympathetic mates. With a Coltrane-inspired vibe, these conversations range from lush and soulful blues to innovative vocal pieces to deeply felt spiritual horn work. Highly recommended.
"Bitches Brew"
Miles Davis
REVIEW
As one Miles fan on our site commented, "Finally, you can hear the thing!" When Miles Davis released "Bitches Brew," he made his evolution unmistakable. This double album's expanse was as revolutionary in 1969 as anything in bebop, free jazz, or rock. And it merged all three worlds into one knotty, extended cocktail of rhythmic pulsation, electric grit, and Davis's inimitable trumpet. This new remaster boasts significantly improved sound and an added bonus track.
"Simpatico"
Vandermark 5
REVIEW
Chicago saxophonist Ken Vandermark was recently honored with a MacArthur "genius grant." The only musician on this year's list of recipients, Vandermark joins the ranks of previous winners such as Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, Anthony Braxton, Steve Lacy, and Max Roach. Vandermark's new album, "Simpatico," showcases his rough-and-ready reed chomping and his gritty, film noir-inspired compositions.
RECOMMENDED REISSUE
Charles Mingus
"Pre Bird"
REVIEW
In 1960 Charles Mingus was on multiple, parallel tracks. He was fashioning a pianoless quartet with Eric Dolphy and Ted Curson and working fervently with larger ensembles. With "Pre Bird," another chapter in his large-band saga is again available. It captures music Mingus wrote--or found vital--in the prebebop era. Fevered swing, loose antiphony, and more await you on this gem.
"Friendly Fire"
Joe Lovano and Greg Osby
REVIEW
Pairing the red-hot horns of Greg Osby and Joe Lovano on
"Friendly Fire" couldn't have come at a better time. Both
jazz vets have never sounded better (dig Osby's explosive
"Banned in New York" and Lovano's gritty "Trio Fascination
Edition One" for proof), and on "Friendly Fire" the gloves
are off and no holds are barred. Propelled by a band stocked
with young guns, "Friendly Fire" may be the shot heard round
the world from this duo.
"Elegiac Cycles"
Brad Mehldau
REVIEW
For the past few years, Brad Mehldau has been considered one
of a few talented young jazz pianists with the potential for
creating great things. It's time to reevaluate. His new solo
piano album, "Elegiac Cycles," is a consistently gorgeous,
moody, and mature work that aligns classical music's ability
to conjure complex shades of emotion with the jazz tradition
of exploration and discovery. With "Elegiac Cycles" placing
his scintillating trio work in context, it's now clear that
Mr. Mehldau has arrived!
"Stir It Up: The Music of Bob Marley"
Monty Alexander
REVIEW
The best way for jazz heads to usher in the summer (short
of flying off to some far-flung festival) is via Monty
Alexander's "Stir It Up: The Music of Bob Marley." Not only
does the veteran pianist cover Marley classics like "No
Woman No Cry" and "I Shot the Sheriff," but he's also joined
by stars like Steve Turre and Sly Dunbar for a session sure
to raise the temperature in any room.
"Thelonious Monk: The London Collection Volume 1"
Thelonious Monk
REVIEW
What is it about the great Thelonious Monk that fascinates
jazz fans so completely? Even today, some 17 years after his
death, Monk's popularity is enormous. For Monkophiles,
"Thelonious Monk: The London Collection Volume 1" is
required listening. Culled from the last commercial session
of his life, these recordings offer a crucial, poignant
portrait of the artist. The compositions are gorgeously
interpreted by Monk, and the sparkling recording quality is
of audiophile caliber. Absolute highest recommendation.
"Comin' and Goin'"
Pat Martino
REVIEW
