|
|||
AMBIENT
GENE BERTONCINI/Concerti: It really isn’t fair to call this a jazz guitar date with a set card of classics as it’s Bertoncini’s first chamber jazz date and it has a whole different vibe. With a foot each in the jazz and education worlds, one of the top jazz guitarists in the big apple that flies under the radar, there’s never any dispute this cat knows his stuff. A very high toned date that doesn’t come across as a master class, this is a must hear set for those times when you want some classy jazz simply played right with feeling, texture and soul guiding the chops. Almost classical in feel, this is the kind of date that makes a bold impact.
7
LIBRA
GATO LIBRE/Kuro: These purveyors of head jazz are really at it again with the kind of stuff that doesn’t fall anywhere near Zappa but certainly would make Zappa proud. Emanating from an imagination running wild and free where piano ace Satoko Fujii abandons her piano for accordion, this stuff is the kind of ear opening, mind blowing stuff that you have to be a college kid or hard core malcontent to really appreciate. The kind of stuff that’s really out there but draws you in through it’s aura of mystery, it’s not comfortable music to listen to while you jog but it will sate your sweet tooth when art is a craving.
104018
JUNK BOX/Sunny Then Cloudy: The second set by this free jazz crew continues to push the limits that leader Satoko Fujii never thought were in place in the first place. If you were one of those left leaners that were once into all those Actuel, BYG and other outré labels that populated the free jazz world once upon a time, this is right up your alley. If you are able to check your expectations at the door and let this crew be your sonic tour guide, your journey through the avant garde with be a rewarding one.
203019
SATOKO FUJII TRIO/Trace a River: Fujii celebrates her 50th birthday and the 10th anni of her “New York trio” with this set that is loaded with the hallmarks of her playing, even as she charts new courses. The corner where music meets art in a good way, this is the kind of up market listening date that can be mistaken for a moldy fig special because of it’s high brow sensibilities, but if you let it take you that way, it proves you aren’t listening. A sure bet for progressive jazz piano tastes.
203020
LOTOS NILE
ANDREW CALHOUN/Bound to Go: I seem to remember some manifesto when Calhoun first started Waterbug that he wasn’t interested in making money. He has stayed true to that vision, but as sets like this will attest, in a positive way. Much like Mosaic Records, this collection of slavery music belongs in every public and educational library. Loaded with folk songs, forgotten songs and songs that have fallen out of favor for political reasons, this is an important part of the American heritage as it takes the folklore and veneer away from the candy coating that often gets force fed with these songs when they are trotted out. A wonderful historical document capably brought to life by Calhoun and the assembled crew that really wanted to give this a first class send off.
83 (Waterbug)
Volume 31/Number 206
May 24, 2008
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
©2008 Midwest Record
No comments yet.
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI