02/18/08
GO MEDIA
SAM BARSH/I Forgot What You Taught Me: Hipster keyboard man checks in with a pleasant band in a box date that zips along in a deceptively cool fashion. Easy on the ears, this is simply a snappy little date that has got me looking ahead to summer. It’s that kind of music.
(Razdaz)
AMOS HOFFMAN/Evolution: He’s a jazzbo, he plays guitar as well ouds he build himself, he’s buds with Avashi Cohen, he will fill your ears with something new and different, even if it comes from somewhere deep in the old world. Stepping up with a different spin to the sound he’s been cultivating up to now, Hoffman brings special depth to his work that catches you off guard and trips you up every time you think you can out think him and know where he’s going next. A satisfying set that gives world jazz a new standard to live up to. Tasty.
(Razdaz)
HEAD’S UP
VICTOR WOOTEN/Palmystery: The bass player with so much soul he can play anything for anyone, his records are always a treat because all you have to do is sit back, listen and be amazed. If you’re already hip enough to be a fan, you already know that all you have to do is trust him and put the record on. Whatever he is doing, you will be a fan by the time it’s over. Another high octane entry in a series of tour de force records, Wooten remains on top of his game as the MVP that is the straw that stirs the drink. Simply, another killer set from the master.
CARIBBEAN JAZZ PROJECT/Afro Bop Alliance: C’mon, you think this won’t grab Samuels and his crew another Grammy nomination? Spicing it up to keep things moving and keep the groove headed in new directions, the mallet man hammers up a good time with this summer music special that has breezes and mai tais written all over it, even if the winds are blowing in the other direction this time out. A wonderfully juicy, tasty set that finds him keeping his chops form getting rusty by letting the trade winds air them out in fine fashion. Count on fans to spread the word that this is another winner.
JAZZ PROMO SERVICES
LOUIE BELLSON & CLARK TERRY/Louie & Clark Expedition 2: Hey, look, we love stuff like this. Bellson is a master drummer that has done it all and Terry is so old, he used to sneak teen aged Miles Davis into St. Louis jazz clubs, so if these two cats want to kick out the jams on some big band stuff, fire away. Totally tasty set newly recorded in 2007 makes a good case for good music keeping you young. A delightfully swinging rave up that puts jazz right in the pocket. Hot stuff.
2 (Percussion Power)
Volume 31/Number 110
February 18, 2008
MIDWEST RECORD
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Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
©2008 Midwest Record