"Two Worlds"
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Dave Grusin and Lee Ritenour
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Pianist Dave Grusin and guitarist Lee Ritenour helped design jazz fusion and its distant cousin, smooth jazz. Here the pair go it alone, creating a classically inflected tapestry that shows off their mutual admiration for lyrical music.
"A Love Affair: The Music of Ivan Lins"
Various Artists
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This 11-song tribute to Brazilian composer Ivan Lins boasts an array of stars, from Sting to Chaka Khan to Grover Washington Jr. and Vanessa Williams. They illuminate Lins's many sides, mixing smooth jazz with Brazilian pop and lush romantic textures.
"Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival"
Lynne Arriale Trio
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Lynn Arriale tackles tunes like a rising tide, with her energy building as the tune progresses and her fingerwork expanding the melodies as she gets swept up in them. For a decade, Arriale's flown just below mainstream radar. Here's a great chance for her--and her magnificent trio--to break through.
"Places"
Brad Mehldau
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Brad Mehldau's love of the piano is irrepressible. "Places" finds Mehldau in the wake of his four-volume "Art of the Trio" series and 1999's solo wonder, "Elegiac Cycles." Here, he balances solo and trio pieces, invoking the emotional states inspired by various cities and public spaces. Melancholy gives way to spinning yarns of effusive harmony and melody, as if we're with the pianist for the whole trip.
"The Water Is Wide"
Charles Lloyd
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When saxophonist Charles Lloyd wanted to expand the meditative, impressionistic quartet that recorded "Voice in the Night", he drafted Brad Mehldau and his bassist, Larry Grenadier, to create a quintet of fantastic dimensions. They gently play the paint off "Georgia" and Ellingtonia like "Black Butterfly," "Heaven," and "Lotus Blossom."
BLUE NOTES FROM LEFT FIELD
"Tourist"
St. Germain
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Have the cats at Blue Note lost their gourds? St. Germain, a.k.a. producer Ludovic Navarre, cue up a scintillating mix of DJ backbeats and improvised horns. The vibe is vintage acid jazz on one level, and club-ready techno on another.
"Supergenerous"
Supergenerous
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Studio percussionist Cyro Baptista and session guitarist Kevin Breit make up Supergenerous, a polystylistic duo that plays "Home on the Range" (with singer Cassandra Wilson guesting) and "Love is All Around" (a.k.a. the "Mary Tyler Moore Show" theme) with a jazzy, folksy, Latin-tinged sensibility. It's jazz for folks who love forests of guitars and percussion played with an intensely melodic focus.
JAZZ FUSIONS
"Live Around the World"
Vital Information
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Former Journey drummer Steve Smith and Chick Corea Elektric Band guitarist Frank Gambale are known for hard-swinging fusion in Vital Information. On this two-CD live set, though, they pay far more attention to the texture of their tunes-- even on a carefully done reading of Led Zeppelin's "Moby Dick."
"Oregon in Moscow"
Oregon
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For a celebration of their third decade as a jazz-based, genre-hopping ensemble, Oregon traveled to Moscow for a session opposite the Moscow Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra. The music dances across jazz, worldish folk, and classical music without regard to borders between the styles.
SMOOTH AND NEW
"Yes, Please"
Fourplay
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Keyboardist Bob James and guitarist Larry Carlton make certain that "Yes, Please" is more funky than lots of today's smooth-jazz fare. Carlton creates subtle openings to Fourplay's latest batch of tunes and then races off in varied directions, all of them enriched by James's keys.
"Citizen Wayne"
Nighthawks
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Cross-hatching smooth and acid jazz liberally, the German duo of Reiner Winterschladen (trumpet, flugelhorn) and Dal Martino (bass, guitar, keyboards, and samples) make solid grooves and slinking tunes. They pay homage to Ennio Morricone with subtle western themes that spice up "Citizen Wayne."
"Soul Conversation"
JK & Mark Whitfield
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Guitarists Mark Whitfield and JK share an affinity for classic soul, and they explore the music in detail on "Soul Conversation." Whitfield brings a solid knowledge of Wes Montgomery-styled postbop, and JK a more silky smooth sensibility. They invite Herbie Hancock aboard for some Fender Rhodes playing on a pair of tunes.
BIG DAY ON SATURN
"Great Lost Sun Ra Albums: Cymbals & Crystal Spears" Sun Ra
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For a brief spell in the early 1970s, a big blast of Sun Ra albums were slated to be released on Impulse! Records. Most never saw the light of day, and this two-CD set collects two of the era's best. Ra's Arkestra throws organ-greased postbop into the cauldron with incendiary tenor blasts from John Gilmore, Pat Patrick, and Marshall Allen. The percussion is thick, the reverb deep, and the music interstellar.
"Greatest Hits: Easy Listening"
Sun Ra and His Arkestra
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Sun Ra was known as an "album artist" (with dozens of albums on his own Saturn Records and other labels), but this career-spanning selection of his tunes makes the case for Sun Ra as a singles artist. He swings, gets bluesy, and goes into freewheeling spinouts across the whole spectrum of songs here.
"13 Cosmic Standards by Sun Ra and Funkadelic" Spaceways Incorporated
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Sun Ra and Funkadelic's George Clinton would surely agree: "Space is the place." With freewheeling textural studies, roiling rhythms, and spring-loaded funk leaps, Chicago's Ken Vandermark, Hamid Drake, and Kent Kessler tackle a program that's half Sun Ra and half Funkadelic. All of it's powerful, propulsive, and spacey.
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"Live at the Village Vanguard"
Earl Hines
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"Live at the Village Vanguard" catches pianist Earl Hines in
1965, fronting a trio of bassist Gene Ramey and drummer
Eddie Locke with saxophonist Budd Johnson sitting in on five
tunes. The energy is high, the playing spotless, and the
audience wowed. Perhaps a typical night for Hines, this
recording is still killer decades later. Johnson and Hines
make fire out of "Moten's Swing" to close the night.
"Little Jazz"
Roy Eldridge
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Here's trumpeter Roy Eldridge, nicknamed "Little Jazz,"
appearing with a variety of lesser-known bands (including
those of Teddy Hill, Putney Dandridge, and Mildred Bailey),
along with a gaggle of Duke Ellington's men--and other
well-known bandleaders, such as Teddy Wilson, Fletcher
Henderson, and Billie Holiday. The sessions were recorded
between 1935 and 1940, all of them imbued with spry swing.
"Illinois Jacquet"
Illinois Jacquet
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Thank tenor saxophonist Illinois Jacquet for helping usher
in a brawny, chugging swing solo style that he pioneered
while touring with the Jazz at the Philharmonic series in
the 1940s. Here he is in 1962 booting vigorously with
trumpeter Roy Eldridge, guitarist Kenny Burrell, pianist Sir
Charles Thompson, and a variety of others. Start to finish,
this is a get-up-and-go affair that rockets by.
"Roll 'Em, Volume 1"
Benny Goodman
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At the height of his popularity, clarinetist (and "King of
Swing") Benny Goodman recorded these 16 live tunes with
Harry James, Gene Krupa, Fletcher Henderson, Mildred Bailey,
and others. The title track features Mary Lou Williams in a
justly celebrated performance that many liken to a perfect
digest of swing. This is the music of the late 1930s
reaching a series of zeniths.
"In the Groove: 1926-39"
Coleman Hawkins
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Present at the flowering of trad jazz, swing, bebop, and an
alphabet of other styles, tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins
gets rolling on this anthology with Fletcher Henderson's
orchestra on the aptly named "Stampede." Afterward, he bolts
with Glenn Miller and Pee Wee Russell on "One Hour," digs in
on a pair of tracks with Django Reinhardt, and, toward the
end of the set, with his own bands. Celebrating the first
decades of Hawkins's long career, it's a generous sampling.
BOP, SOUL, AND BEYOND
"Jazz at the Philharmonic 1949"
Charlie Parker
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With alto saxophonist and bebop pioneer Charlie Parker in
the nominal driver's seat, "Jazz at the Philharmonic 1949"
is a lively, star-studded affair. Like many of Norman
Granz's Jazz at the Phil productions, this one is loose and
spirited--with tunes leaping by and solos cooking. It also
features Roy Eldridge and Lester Young, two of Parker's
favorites.
"Carnegie Hall Concert"
Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan
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Here's a deal: a gold CD of a memorable concert at a bargain
price. Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan hadn't played together
for a decade when they reunited to play at Carnegie Hall in
a band that included guitarist John Scofield. It's a session
redolent of Mulligan and Baker's classic cool
recordings--with a few key twists.
"Moanin'"
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
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Undoubtedly one of drummer Art Blakey's most blazing
sessions, "Moanin" scores points on every level. Pianist
Bobby Timmons's title track is worth the price of the
session, with its strutting vibe and peerless piano shape.
"Live"
Return to Forever
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Return to Forever simply blew away crowds in 1977, when they
recorded the 2-CD "Live." With the bombastic bass of Stanley
Clark and irrepressible keyboard curiosities of Chick Corea,
RTF played intricate music that helped define the fusion
phenomenon. Here's one of the genre's magnum opuses.
"Shakill's Warrior"
David Murray
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Tenor great David Murray's always had a deep grasp of jazz's
many roads. Blues, bop, soul, free blowing--all are nearby
when Murray blows open his solos. Here he fronts a fantastic
organ-guitar-sax-drums combo, with the late Don Pullen on
Hammond and Andrew Cyrille on drums.
HEADING OUT
"Conducted by Lawrence 'Butch' Morris"
David Murray Big Band
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With a master of "conduction" sporting the leadership wand,
the David Murray big band always amazes. This self-titled
session has the large ensemble paying homage to Paul Gonsalves,
Ben Webster, Lester Young, and drummer Steve McCall. It's
alternately touching and raucous--always in fine balance.
"Odyssey"
James "Blood" Ulmer
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Here's famed guitarist James "Blood" Ulmer at his best, with
a band stripped down to its threadbare essence. Violinist
Charlie Burnham and Ulmer create bluesy, soulful yarns over
Warren Bernbow's timely, tight drumming--all of which
amounts to a great, gritty work of genius.
"Makin' a Move"
Henry Threadgill
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There hasn't been an instrumental configuration built that
could contain the imagination of Henry Threadgill. For
"Makin' a Move," the maverick alto saxist, bandleader, and
composer brings along a guitar and piano quintet, a trio of
cellists, and his unconventional (two tubas! two French
horns!) Very Very Circus. Urban funk, concert hall chamber
music, postmodern blues--all of it falls into Threadgill's
viewfinder.
SMOOTH DIRECTIONS
"Floppy Disk"
Kirk Whalum
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Saxophonist Kirk Whalum's 1985 debut was an auspicious
event. It came before smooth jazz was widely recognized and
kept a soulful undercurrent constant. Keyboardist Bob James
helped give "Floppy Disk" a satiny feel, which it retains
even today.
"Bigger and Better/The Many Facets of David Newman"
David "Fathead" Newman
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By no means synonymous with today's "smooth" formats, tenor
saxist David "Fathead" Newman's "Bigger and Better" is
nonetheless a velvety display of mood and intimacy. He plays
atop a large string section, creating a romantic aura that's
at once vivid and eminently relaxing.
BARGAIN BOX SET
"Hot Fives and Sevens"
Louis Armstrong
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This four-CD set is a textbook study in early jazz. Louis
Armstrong was blazing trails with his ebullient solos, while
the Hot Fives and Sevens were redefining jazz ensemble
performance. Remastering by John R.T. Davies makes this a
nugget of sheer joy that tells jazz's early story.
Monty Alexander : So What, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Barry Altschul : You Can't Name Your Own Tune, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Ambrose & His Orchestra : Vol. 4-Just One More Chance, May 09 CD ON Sale here
David Benoit : Here's To You Charlie Brown-50, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Bjornstad/Darling : River, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Bjornstad/Darling : Epigraphs, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Ketil Bjornstad : Water Stories, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Ketil Bjornstad : Sea, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Ketil Bjornstad : Sea II, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Boll Weevil Jass Band : Plays One More Time Again, May 11 CD ON Sale here
Roy Budd : Get Carter, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Roy Budd : Diamonds, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Roy Budd : Paper Tiger, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Roy Budd : Black Windmill, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Roy Budd : Sinbad & The Eye Of The Tiger, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Abraham Burton : Cause & Effect, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Joey Calderazzo : Joey Calderazzo, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Chicago Underground Trio : Synesthesia, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Larry Clinton & His Orchestra : Live In 1938 & 1939, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Freddy Cole : This Is The Life, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Eric Comstock : All Hart, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Corea/Hampton : In Concert, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Xavier Cugat : Jack Jack Jack, May 16 CD ON Sale here
David Darling : Balance, May 16 CD ON Sale here
David Darling : Cello, May 16 CD ON Sale here
David Darling : Darkwood, May 16 CD ON Sale here
David Darling : Journal October, May 16 CD ON Sale here
David Darling : Cycles, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Roy Eldridge : Vol. 1-Roy Eldridge & His Litt, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Duke Ellington : Swingin With The Duke, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Dizzy Gillespie : 1948-Pleyel Jazz Concert/1949-, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Dizzy Gillespie : Dizzy Retrospective, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Stephane Grappelli : Live At The Cambridge Folk Fes, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Alan Hovhaness : Con Pno/Fantasy Pno/Son Pno, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Keith Jarrett : Eyes Of The Heart, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Keith Jarrett : Survivor's Suite, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Keith Jarrett : Staircase, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Keith Jarrett : Spheres, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Keith Jarrett : Belonging, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Keith Jarrett : Nude Ants, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Keith Jarrett : Spirits, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Keith Jarrett : Book Of Ways, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Keith Jarrett : Dark Intervals, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Keith Jarrett : Personal Mountains, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Keith Jarrett : Changeless, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Jazz Mandolin Project : Xenoblast, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Gene Ludwig : Soul Serenade, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Keiko Matsui : Whisper From The Mirror, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Pablo Milanes : Los Dias De Gloria, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Glenn Miller : 1940-Live From The Cafe Rouge, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Punch Miller : River's In Mourning, May 11 CD ON Sale here
Thelonious Monk : Piano Solo, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Gerry Mulligan : Vol. 1-Pleyel Jazz Concert, May 16 CD ON Sale here
P.J. Perry : With The Edmonton Symphony Orc, May 16 CD ON Sale here
George Probert : George Probert's Second Story, May 11 CD ON Sale here
Pucho & Latin Soul Brothers : Cold Shouler, May 10 CD ON Sale here
Jimmy Raney : Vol. 2-Visits Paris, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Nelson Rangell : Far Away Day, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Django Reinhardt : Classic Early Recordings In Ch, May 16 CD ON Sale here
Rocket 88 : Rockin' At Midnight, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Roswell Rudd : Broad Strokes, May 09 CD ON Sale here
Tomasz Stanko : From The Green Hills, May 16 CD ON Sale here
