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KARI ON PRODUCTIONS
MELVIN SMITH/Portrait: Is there something in the water? There’s a lot of new versions of “We Shall Overcome” floating around all of a sudden. This well versed, soulful sax man plays with a lot of religious fervor as he really brings his ax to church. A well musically educated award winner, he doesn’t let these niceties get in the way of real blowing. This is a jazzy young lion with a lot on the ball that has delivered a solid DIY debut that should bring him wider attention farther afield from his Boston home base. Check it out.
36203 (Melvin G. Smith Music)
MARK PUCCI MEDIA
DOWNCHILD/Live at the Palais Royale: Some say this Canuck blues institution was the inspiration for Blues Brothers. They’ve been at it since 1969 and Dan Ackroyd was a fan when he was a starving stage actor, and two of their songs were on the BB’s debut album. Just saying. Kicking it out live for an appreciative local audience that knows the real deal, these award winners fearlessly go with a program of mostly originals showcasing them in a much more spry condition that you’d expect from a crew that’s been at it for 40 years. Jump blues and more, this kick ass set might be blues, but it’s sure to chase your blues away. Give it a good workout, you’ll dig it.
70069 (Linus)
MICHAEL BLOOM MEDIA RELATIONS
JOSH NELSON/Let It Go: Young lion jazz piano man Nelson sheds the Bill Evans vibe of his past and feels confident leading in the company of Matt Wilson, Anthony Wilson and other like chopped hitters, acquitting himself properly as a leader and composer. Currently honing his considerable chops to more of a razor edge with a rigorous and diverse work routine, this is quite a seasoned second outing. Mixing the influences of his environment, there is a nice cascade of contemporary moves running throughout his work keeping your ears on the edge of their seat as he stays one step ahead. Tasty, well conceived stuff that hits the target.
969 (Native Language)
SONY CLASSICAL/MASTERWORKS BROADWAY
A PLACE FOR US/various: Here’s a savvy rolloff project. The influence of “West Side Story” on jazz and pop is undeniable. This set rounds up a bunch of mostly catalog items by label stalwarts from expected and unexpected places and presents a jazz/pop kaleidoscope of the score in an elegant manner. With a few new and previously unreleased tracks to add some pepper to the mix, Sondheim must be smiling at this dandy tribute to the score’s 50th anniversary.
12161
Volume 30/Number 321
September 17, 2007
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
(c)2007 Midwest Record
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Hello Chris:
This is Melvin Smith. I never did get the opportunity to thank you for such a great review. I wish you all the best, and again Thank You.
Sincerely,
Melvin Smith
Comment by Melvin Smith — June 23, 2008 @ 3:39 pm