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BLUE NOTE
CASSANDRA WILSON/Loverly: Wilson does the obligatory oldies album. Should we care? It’s a mighty smart idea to say yes. With a smart crew led by Jason Moran and Wilson producing, this is an up close intimate set that has a very natural flow that’s sure to sweep you along. With a bunch of songs that let Wilson be slinky, sexy or let her Nina Simone flag fly, this collection of standards has a feeling of existing in a time of it’s own. Contemporary jazz vocal fans have a nifty new set to rally around here.
KARI ON PRODUCTIONS
MICHAEL’S JAZZ QUARTET/Woody n Me: Perhaps this sax man ought to have checked with someone before putting this out. There might be unneeded backlash from people that think this is a Woody Allen thing from Michael’s Pub. Once you get past that hurdle, this is a snappy sax date that swings, sway and bossas along with a nice feel. Spending his days teaching, this long time New York jazzbo has got the big apple vibe running through his music as a pulse. Tasty stuff that well worth your time.
(Michael’s Jazz Quartet)
MILES HIGH
MARK SHERMAN QUARTET/Live at the Bird’s Eye: At this point, we’d have to say it was something primal because none of us hipsters were around for the first time out, but there was always something undeniably cool about mallet swingers like Milt Jackson and Bobby Hutcherson and Sherman has picked up on that cool quite nicely. This engaging double cd shows a solid band of pros at work turning out some spirited jazz, playing from around the horn enough that the variety gives it a welcome flow. Recorded live, these guys know how to work an audience and translate it to the audience at home as well. All told, a welcome straight up jazz workout that you shouldn’t pass up.
MOTEMA
ANTONIO CIACCA QUINTET/Rush Life: Here’s a piano man that you don’t mess with. Coming over here from across the pond, he’s proceeded to work with all the classic beboppers and straight ahead classic cats, learning as he was earning, sets like this show he learned his lessons well. With a ‘day job’ at Lincoln Center not getting in the way of his playing, this young lion is still on the upswing and his work here portends an exciting future that you can be part of now. Check it out.
Volume 31/Number 216
June 3, 2008
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
©2008 Midwest Record
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