08/05/08
COLLECTORS CHOICE (www.ccmusic.com)
TIM DAWE/Penrod: Someone has to make the most obscure record on a label and Dawe had the honor of doing it for Frank Zappa. With moments that remind you of Tim Buckley, Lou Reed and Glenn Yarborough, you almost have to wonder if this set was commissioned by label co-owner Herb Cohen as a way of keeping his client Tim Buckley in line. A psychedelic folk rock artifact that certainly qualifies as a lost gem and possibly a missing classic, this set has its dated moments but it’s certainly belongs in any collection that’s top-heavy with the late 60s folk rock. Normally, something this obscure tends to be overly precious but Dawe seems to have been primed to go for the gold giving it that little bit of extra energy that doesn’t embarrass you to pull out a 40-year-old artifact like this. A fun hark back to another time and place.
902
DL MEDIA
JUSTIN TIME RECORDS 25th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION/various: The label that was started on a whim has gone on to release 300 albums, record Hank Jones, record Diana Krall, record Carol Welsman and give a recording home to many jazz greats as well as diversifying into world, soul and blues. Not all bad for a label it started because the label owner saw a cat in a restaurant he wanted to record. Paying tribute to its 25 year history by issuing a 27 track collection, this limited-edition collection is a fine pat on the back and a nice party the label can throw for itself. With a lot more depth than something that was started on a whim should have, it’s amazing how far you can run on pure passion. Being tucked away in Canada all these years there’s probably a lot of people this label can still reach and this overview is a fine place to dig in.
2525 (Justin Time)
RENAUD GARCIA-FONS TRIO/Arcoluz: A talented, well-traveled bass player that’s been more interested with being an artist than a celebrity comes with a double-barreled, full force live presentation that gives you a fine overview of all the things he brings to his bass playing. A kaleidoscopic world jazz effort that brings it’s A game, open eared jazz fans will have a gas with this CD DVD package. Playing with the synchronicity of many of your favorite jazz trios, this whole bunch is a bunch of pros and you can count on nothing here letting you down. If you’re in need of some pyrotechnics, this is the hotspot to check out.
3325 (Enja/Justin Time)
LISA REEDY PROMOTIONS
COURT MAST/Sausalito Summer: A cornet player that gave up on the music business 25 years ago comes back to let us know he never gave up gave up on the music. With this jazzy date about his neighborhood, this set sort of proves that you should write about what you know about. Equally influenced by Henry Mancini and Chuck Mangione, the echoes of their work are here but so are the echoes of a slew of his favorite jazz artists. To the light side without being lite, it might strike you as cocktail jazz but it’s jazz you enjoy with cocktails. Sophisticated, adult listening that you don’t have to be a grown-up to enjoy.
1 (Jazz Vista)
WORLD VILLAGE
BEATA SODERBERG & JUSTANGO/Bailata: Well, looks like a cello player has finally come along to make us forget Ofra Harnoy. Soderberg says she’s playing new tango and while we do here tango elements in her playing we hear just as many up market world/jazz and classical elements as well. Quite an unbeatable set of adult instrumental music, no matter what label you want to hang on it, you simply have to call it good. Very much a snazzy set that has to be heard to be appreciated.
498022
Volume 31/Number 279
August 5, 2008
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
©2008 Midwest Record