|
|||
DL MEDIA
INCOGNITO/Bees Things Flowers: The venerable jazz/soul outfit that is almost an alter ego for it’s leader comes around with a down tempo set showing they continue to change with the times and master the forms they set their ears to. A sweet set that has a very spontaneous feel, 27 years into their career, the crew is keeping it right at the front of the curve. Sonically, you can feel equal parts looking froward and looking back, but this is anything but more of the same. Smart work from a crew that knows how to keep it together.
70179 (Narada Jazz/Blue Note)
HEAD’S UP
WALTER BEASLEY/Ready for Love: Consistently and steadily, Beasley has become the sax go to guy. An expert at making smooth jazz with that something extra, Beasley turns in a personal date that has him casting his eye on things that require love and passion, and you can feel it in the playing. Tasty work that finds him at the top of his game, you can count on fans to spread the word.
3116
CHUCK LOEB/Presence: The latest from the guitar jazz man that seems to have done it all but doesn’t seem to know how to play a jaded note is a spunky outing that tickles and pleases the ear like a pro. Loeb doesn’t hem himself in and feels free to do covers with his stamp, pay tribute to heroes and just let the muse lead him on the way. He’s been at it long enough to know that there’s no upside in letting the listener down and delivers a crisp smooth jazz outing that fills the bill.
3117
NORTHSIDE
RANARIM/Morning Star: Just like Duhks brought a new sensibility to Americana, Ranarim is doing the same thing with Swedish folk music. With an edge formed just as much by punk as ABBA, this young crew blows off the dust and creates something new and fun out of something old and traditional. World beat fans are sure to be taken with the new tangents in old directions, it’s kind of like the Johnny Cash/Rick Rubin fusion vibe and look how that turned out.
6093
TELARC
ERIC BIBB/Diamond Days: A legacy artist that’s been at it so long he almost qualifies for his own social security check, Bibb is an old school folk/blues player that knows the territory well and doesn’t disappoint. Right in the pocket throughout, he puts in a little history, keeps things contemporary and puts on a smart program throughout. An engaging performer that doesn’t leave loose ends, he’s one of the best things the folk tradition has actively going for it.
83660
TOMPKINS SQUARE
ROBBIE BASHO/Venus in Cancer: It was really radical in 1969 when an above ground album came out with naked ladies on the cover. Nobody expected a solo guitar record that would presage a lot of Windham Hill to be on the inside, and no one knew what to call Basho’s progressive guitar soli back then, but it sure was and still is some pretty damn fine acoustic guitar work. A textured set that doesn’t leave a lot of room for white space, it’s a cinch to say Basho was ahead of his time and this wasn’t like his other recordings. Must hearing for fans of really meaty, solo guitar work that just draws you in and amazes. It’s also amazing that it still feels so fresh almost 40 years later.
1820
Volume 30/Number 65
January 4, 2007
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
(c)2007 Midwest Record
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Thanx for the reviews, I really appreciate them, concise and interesting. Jazz rocks and it will forever! Always search the web for it.
Comment by Hazel — March 2, 2007 @ 4:24 am