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BOJAK
JUDE JOHNSTONE/Mr. Sun: One of the few writers that can give Diane Warren a run for her money, Johnstone continues to maintain a parallel recording career that can stand on its own two legs just as easily. Almost running in a continuation of her last album, this set is loaded with songs and performances that will make you take notice. With a helping hand from a bunch of her first call musician pals, Johnstone delivers the kind of adult listening that makes you sit up and pay attention. Hard-hitting stuff that shows why she continues to be at the top of her game.
DL MEDIA
VINCE MENDOZA/Blauklang: One of the top jazz and pop arrangers of our times, Mendoza packed a few of his first call pals off to Germany where he can explore his fascination with the color blue as used in jazz as with the help of the WDR big band. Kicking it off with a little tune from Miles from 50 years ago and finishing up with a suite of his own making, Mendoza & Co. deliver a highly creative set that puts art first in quite a grand way. Must hearing for the armchair listener that likes his jazz on the cerebral side but likes it to have some feeling as well.
9465 (ACT)
NOT TWO
SATOKO FUJII’S MA DO/Heat Wave: Showcasing yet another new band, the Japanese piano ace pushes arts to the foreground as she celebrates her 50th birthday. Continuing her run as one of the more original voices and jazz, this set has a lot to listen to, much of it running beyond the normal boundaries of jazz. Anyone that’s been following this cauldron of creativity should know she’s not about to let them down now. Must hearing for fans that love pushing boundaries.
806
ROCK PAPER SCISSORS
MANZE DAYILA/Sole: While the roots of her music lie firmly in voodoo, Dayila has used her New York exile to give her music a global, worldwide view. World beat stuff that’s hard to pigeonhole, you just have to approach this as a take it or leave it situation. There’s so much going on here that if something doesn’t grab you perhaps you just don’t have the ears for it. On the other hand, if you’re up for some wild global music, this is something you should certainly check out.
(As Is)
TWO FOR THE SHOW MEDIA
MARSHALL GILKES/Lost Words: This trombone playing young lion is quickly becoming the go to guy of choice for heavy hitters like Billy Cobham and Maria Schneider. Their faith in him is more than well-placed. On his second solo set, he shows himself to be one of these do it all cats that can write and play and seemingly do it in almost any style. The only constant here is the passion, drive and chops. Jazz fans that like it bold and brassy have a hot one on their hands here.
3 (Alternate Side)
Volume 31/Number 295
August 21, 2008
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
©2008 Midwest Record
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