What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

Rockferry -- CD

Duffy

2008 Mercury Records

Amazon.co.uk

Rockferry, the Welsh singer's lovingly constructed debut album, has already succeeded beyond expectations, and although Duffy may not quite be the ingénue portrayed by a clever press campaign (she nearly won a local television talent show a few years back while a single credited to Aimee Duffy is still available on iTunes) she is surely the most appealing of the current flood of young soul sirens. The astonishing title track, co-written by Bernard Butler, sounded like a lost transmission that had taken decades to get through as soon as it hit radio last year. But the gently rolling soul ballad "Stepping Stone", that strapping, inescapable monster hit "Mercy", the ice cool "Serious" (the one time she really does channel the spirit of Dusty Springfield) and the wistful, elegant "Warwick Avenue" are similarly effective. Suggestions by some that Rockferry is little more than sixties pastiche are churlish. Butler's previous work with David McAlmont (featured here as a backing singer) showed his skill at writing and arranging the dramatic, while her other collaborators such as Steve Booker and the team of Jimmy Hogarth and Eg White are hardly lightweights. But despite some wonderful orchestral settings, it's Duffy's terrific voice that makes this so satisfying, even overpowering Butler's exquisitely underplayed guitar work on "Rockferry" itself. Growling the blues on "Syrup & Honey" or belting it out over his lovingly arranged wall of sound on "Distant Dreamer", she sets the tone throughout, several of her songs dealing with escape, both physical and romantic. The sound of someone singing herself to stardom, Rockferry is at times genuinely amazing. --Steve Jelbert

1. "Rockferry" Duffy, Bernard Butler 4:14
2. "Warwick Avenue" Duffy, Jimmy Hogarth, Eg White 3:46
3. "Serious" Duffy, Butler 4:10
4. "Stepping Stone" Duffy, Steve Booker 3:28
5. "Syrup & Honey" Duffy, Butler 3:18
6. "Hanging on Too Long" Duffy, Hogarth, White 3:56
7. "Mercy" Duffy, Booker 3:41
8. "Delayed Devotion" Duffy, Hogarth, White 2:57
9. "I'm Scared" Duffy, Hogarth 3:08
10. "Distant Dreamer" Duffy, Butler 5:05

 

[Rope]

Good to have you back in your area, Dennie! :angry-tappingfoot:
:laughing-rolling:

Rope

Hey Hey!! :angry-tappingfoot: Don't you have some "moderating" or something to do??!!!!! bscene-birdiedoublegreen:

If not, try to stay on topic. The idiot wants to know what we're listening to!!! bscene-buttred:



....... :laughing-rolling:



Dennie bscene-drinkingcheers:

Well, excoooose the crap out of me.

Rope

 

[Dennie]

Good to have you back in your area, Dennie! :angry-tappingfoot:
:laughing-rolling:

Rope

Hey Hey!! :angry-tappingfoot: Don't you have some "moderating" or something to do??!!!!! bscene-birdiedoublegreen:

If not, try to stay on topic. The idiot wants to know what we're listening to!!! bscene-buttred:



....... :laughing-rolling:



Dennie bscene-drinkingcheers:

Well, excoooose the crap out of me.

Rope

Much better..... :text-thankyoublue:



Dennie ....

 

[Dennie]

Play -- CD

Bobby McFerrin & Chick Corea

1990 Blue Note Records

THE Standard by which others will be judged!, October 13, 2000
By Dale M. DeSteffen (Manitowoc, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Play (Audio CD)

This is a MUST for jazz enthusiasts. Like anything exceptional, most people won't like it, so don't bother playing this CD for friends unless they share your tastes in music. Excellence in any endeavor has a narrow audience, but for those who appreciate greatness, its appeal cuts deep. This recording cuts to the bone!! McFerrin is precise,inventive, and able to vocalize like an instrumentalist with an immense tonal range and expressiveness. He has no peers. And Chic Corea plays jazz piano with instrument mastery usually reserved for world-class classical pianists, but it's REALLY jazz, not Yoyo Ma (a master of the cello, world class) trying to play jazz, displaying amazing musicianship, but showing he just doesn't understand what jazz really is. By contrast, both Corea & McFerrin are masters of technique but are jazz masters as well.

Most of the cuts are note for note arrangements of earlier jazz classics: Spain (Miles Davis);Blues Connotation( Ornette Coleman). " Even From Me" is a collaborative composition by Corea And McFerrin based on a 4 note vocal bass riff repeated over & over, creating a foundation upon which each weave their unique jazz creations. The entire selection of pieces sound improvisational, but are tightly arranged.

Perhaps the best reason this is a "must have" recording is that the music is FUN. It makes you feel wonderful. It's not depressing bluesy (that can be good stuff too). It's not the frenetic dissonant cacophony of Thelonius Monk. It's just the best piano/vocal stuff I've heard. And it's fun-- they just play.

Just buy it. Don't worry, you'll be happy.

"Spain" – 10:12
"Even From Me" – 6:34
"Autumn Leaves" – 11:41
"Blues Connotation" – 7:13
"'Round Midnight" – 7:59
"Blue Bossa" – 6:14

 

[Dennie]

Ricochet -- CD

Richard Elliot

2003 GRP Records

Great album!!!, July 21, 2003
By Russell Nielsen (Aurora, Colorado United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Ricochet (Audio CD)

I just bought this album a week ago and was really anxious to start listening to it. I love his upbeat sax and the wonderful backround keyboards. This is an album you can play over and over again and never get sick of it. He always finds a way to entertain you and since 5 out of the 10 songs are hits this is an album you won't want to miss. I have never heard Richard Elliot's music before but as soon as I bought this album I immediately fell in love with it. I hope he comes out with more albums like this in the future!!!

Track Listing
1. Corner Pocket
2. Ricochet
3. Rendezvous
4. Sweet Memories
5. So Good
6. Seven Sacred Pools
7. Slam
8. You Make Me Feel Brand New
9. Sake For Two
10. Sly

 

[Dennie]

Shadow And Light -- CD

Craig Chaquico

2002 Higher Octave Records

Excellent Disc March 14, 2004
By Charles Calvert
Format:Audio CD

This is an excellent record by a very fine guitarist working at the top of his form. I think its regretable that this music has to be pegged as smooth jazz or new age music. It rocks a little harder than most music in either of those genres, and it is so close to the instrumental rock music of Carlos Santana or the jazz fusion of the Pat Metheny Group that it is not clear why one artist is labeled rock, the next smooth jazz and another jazz.

Almost all the well composed songs on this fine album are upbeat, with an almost mystical sense of joy. The music makes me feel good, or compliments a good mood.

This is not the kind of deeply emotional or deeply soulful music found on a great jazz album like A Love Surpreme. On the other hand, it is not cold or clinical music. It is more like a beautiful sunny day at noon. It is clear and bright and cheerful. It lacks the kind of deep soulfulness that one finds at sunset or on a moonlit night. Nevertheless, the music is not trite. It has depth and real feeling. But rather than being deeply emoitional, it has the feeling one would associate with a very good mood on a beautiful day. Nothing wrong with that!

The band on this album is excellent, but most of the time one focuses only on Chaquico's playing. I don't find myself listening for the delicate interplay of the kind one finds on a good jazz album, but only for the glorious, soaring, and brilliantly executed guitar solos that Chaquico lays down one after another.

The other big sell is the great melodies which abound on this album. There are no bad tracks on this album, and most of them have stronger hooks and a better beat than the average pop song.

To give an album like this five stars would make it impossible to give appropriate credit to the truly transcendant albums that come along at most once or twice a year. Nevertheless, I don't see how this album could deliver much more within the bounds of its genre. It stands head and shoulders above the vast majority of music being released today, and will definitely please fans of other Craiq Chaquico albums, and most fans of Pat Metheny's jazz fusion albums.

Track Listing
1. Innocent Kiss
2. Westside Hotel
3. Luminosa
4. Hurry Home
5. Keepers of the Flame
6. Afterglow
7. Shadow and Light
8. Could We Fall in Love
9. Compared to What - (featuring Warren Hill/Jeff Kashiwa)
10. Café Carnivál - (Sax in the Sun Remix, Sax In The Sun remix)

 

[Dennie]

R n R -- CD

Rick Braun & Richard Elliot

2007 ARTizen Music Group

Editorial Reviews

When Rick Braun and Richard Elliot decided to start ARTizen Music Group it was a pretty fair bet collaboration would be on the boards. After all, Rick's best-selling release to date is his collaboration with Boney James (Shake It Up). Richard had toured with Rick numerous times yet hadn't a real studio long-player to share credits with. Nonetheless, for these two stars it had to be perfect. Almost three years later and over half a dozen releases on their label that time had come. The planets aligned and they began writing and recording their own record together. There is an implicit pun evoked in naming this release. The consistent stumbling block to recording together was variously their own records, a tour, someone else's record - never mind having a life. So when they found some time for R(est) n R(elaxtion) - what do they do? They make a record. True to it's namesake, R n R is all about fun.

 

[Dennie]

View So Tender: Wonder Revisited Vol. 1 -- CD

The Joe Gilman Trio with Joe Sanders (Bass) Justin Brown (Drums)

2006 Capri Records

The Joe Gilman Trio, which had recently interpreted a set of music by Dave Brubeck, recorded 28 Stevie Wonder tunes in a 13-hour period during June 10 and 11, 2004. Wonder's music is mostly pretty adaptable to jazz, particularly the nine selections included on this first volume. "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" has become a minor jazz standard, although most of the other songs have rarely been heard in this context. Alternating moods, tempos, and grooves, the trio makes it sound as if Stevie Wonder had written these songs for this setting, successfully transforming Wonder's music into creative jazz. Well worth checking out. ~ Scott Yanow

Track Listing
1. I Wish
2. Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing
3. Smile Please
4. That Girl
5. Sir Duke
6. Taboo
7. Send One Your Love
8. Love Light in Flight
9. Go Home

 

[Dennie]

The Jazzmasters 1 -- CD

Paul Hardcastle -Gary Barnacle - Helen Rogers

1993 Fast Forward/JVC Records

Paul and Helen The Most Magical Duo August 4, 2009
By E. Lee Brown
Format:Audio CD

Funny, I was stationed in Europe in the 80's when jazz infused with pop/r&b/and house music began to take over the European dance scene. Well back in the States I missed that smooth flavor with timeless thoughts of being carefree. I happened to be working as a police officer in a MAJOR city when I was writing a report and I overheard this music coming from a parked vehicle. Upon hearing the third song "Body Heat" I went over to that vehicle and startled the guys with my presence and politely asked, "whose that singing? This flava reminds me of European style of jazz." One gentleman replied, "Jazzmasters, and they are from the UK."

Well, I've been hooked on "Jazzmasters" ever since and that was in 1992. 2009, I play this cd as well as the other "Jazzmaster" series and I'm still a fanatic of Paul Hardcastle and the lovely, dynamic, stylistic sounds of Helen Rogers as if it was my first listening. All songs off "Jazzmasters" have become a special part of me. "Blue Days" lift me when I'm feeling a bit down, "Body Heat," and "Northern Lights" just set your mind free from whatever. When I'm ending my holiday I play "see You in July" it is most appropriate. "Jazzmasters" is some of the best genuinely produced work that I've ever heard. With that being said "Jazzmasters" is a MUST HAVE for every jazz/pop/soul enthusiast, you will not be dissappointed. I've gatherered quite the collection of Paul's and Helen's "Jazzmasters" over the years and it continues to grow with every released effort.

Track Listing
1. Sound of Summer
2. Blue Days
3. Northern Lights
4. Really Miss Your Love
5. Heaven
6. Lost Summer
7. Without Love
8. Body Heat
9. Strollin'
10. Hearts of Space
11. Blowin' Free
12. See You in July

 

[Dennie]

Journey To Love -- CD

Stanley Clarke

1975/2008 Epic Records

All Good, December 8, 2004
By AustinTeddy "Teddy" (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Journey to Love (Audio CD)

Not one bad cut. The great thing about this album is you can take each of the musicians singly and explore what they are doing. Listen to Jeff Beck...not on "Hello Jeff" (actually DO listen to that too!) but on "Journey to Love". His haunting solo fits perfectly with the mood of the song...and gives it the Beck Edge. George Duke glides throughout. David Sanctious (sp?) is a monster...not just on keyboard but guitar as well. From Stanley's original "Stanley Clarke" through this album and then to "School Days" this three album era was Stanley stepping out and rippin it up.

All tracks composed by Stanley Clarke; except where indicated

"Silly Putty" (4:52)
"Journey to Love" (4:52)
"Hello Jeff" (5:16)
"Song to John, Part 1" (Clarke, Corea) (4:22)
"Song to John, Part 2" (Clarke, Corea) (6:09)
"Concerto for Jazz/Rock Orchestra, Parts 1-4" (14:25)


Stanley Clarke - electric bass, acoustic bass, organ, piccolo bass (first used by Stanley Clarke) with Maestro Synthesizer on "Concerto For Jazz/Rock Orchestra," hand bells, tubular bells, gong, vocals
Jeff Beck - electric guitar on "Hello Jeff" and guitar solo on "Journey to Love"
Chick Corea - acoustic piano on "Song to John"
George Duke - organ, synthesizer, Moog synthesizer, keyboard, Arp Odyssey, clavinet, acoustic piano, electric piano, bells, vocals
Earl Chapin - brass horn
John Clark - brass horn
Jon Faddis - trumpet
Steve Gadd - drums, percussions
Peter Gordon - brass horn
Tom "Bones" Malone - trombone
John McLaughlin - acoustic guitar on "Song to John"
Alan Rubin - trumpet
David Sancious - electric guitar, 12-string guitar
Lew Soloff - trumpet
David Taylor - trombone
Lenny White - drums on "Hello Jeff"
Wilmer Wise - brass horn

 

[Dennie]

Flight of the Cosmic Hippo -- CD

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones

1999 Warner Bros. Records

Don't miss out on this CD!, July 9, 2000
By Belafan "Belafan1" (Sunrise, Fl United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Flight of the Cosmic Hippo (Audio CD)

This is an early example of one of the most innovative bands in existence. If you only like to listen to bands that you can categorize, skip this CD. These four amazing musicians combine the best from all genres to make the best music possible. This CD is all instrumental. Bela Fleck plays the banjo and electric banjo in ways you have only heard if you're familiar with this artist. He is amazing! Victor Wooten, in turn, plays bass in new and amazing ways. He will astound you. Howard Levy plays piano and harmonica (often at the same time) and gets an outrageous range of notes from a simple diatonic harmonica. You have to hear it to believe it. Finally. Roy Wooten (aka Future Man) provides percussion in a completely different way. He has built a synth-axe drumitar which he plays flawlessly. You'll believe you are listening to real drums, but it creates other effects as well. If you don't have this one yet, by all means don't hesitate! Buy it now!

"Blu-Bop" (Béla Fleck, Howard Levy, Victor Wooten, Roy Wooten) – 4:22
"Flying Saucer Dudes" (Fleck) – 4:51
"Turtle Rock" (Fleck) – 4:12
"Flight of the Cosmic Hippo" (Fleck) – 4:29
"The Star Spangled Banner" (Francis Scott Key, arr. Fleck, R. Wooten, Levy, V. Wooten) – 2:35
"Star of the County Down" (P.D., arr. Fleck, R. Wooten, Levy, V. Wooten) – 4:21
"Jekyll and Hyde (and Ted and Alice)" (Fleck) – 7:04
"Michelle" (John Lennon/Paul McCartney) – 5:10
"Hole in the Wall" (Fleck) – 4:40
"Flight of the Cosmic Hippo (Reprise)" (Fleck) – 2:14

 

[Dennie]

Southern By The Grace of God - LIVE -- CD

Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour 1987

1988/1990 MCA Records

Lynyrd Skynyrd "Live" "The Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour" = A Great "Come-back" Album 10 Years After the Fatefull Crash of 1977!!, October 24, 2009
By Gary Covington "Southern Rocker" (Louisiana, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Southern By the Grace of God (Audio CD)
This tour was conducted & recorded during 1987, 10 years after the fatefull plane crash of October, 1977. It was recorded live in several different cities. You can here Johnny addressing the various audiences from the various cities. The Master of Ceremonies is Lacy Van Zant (Ronnie,Donnie, & Johnny's Daddy). I wore out 2 casette tapes of this when it was originally released in 1988.
So, now I have the CD version.

The line-up:
Johnny Van Zant - lead vocals
Gary Rossington - guitar
Ed King - guitar/vocals
Leon Wilkeson - bass
Billy Powell - keyboards
Artimus Plye - drums
Dale Kranz Rossington -back-up vocals
Carol Bristow - back up vocals
Allen Collins -Arrangement Consultant
Ronnie Eades - Muscle Shoals Horn Section
Harvey Thompson -Muscle Shoals Horn Section
Lacy Van Zant - Master of Ceremonies

Special Appearances by:
Charlie Daniels - Fiddle, vocals
Steve Morse - guitar
Toy Caldwell (of the Marshall Tucker Band) -guitar
Jeff Carlisi - guitar
Donnie Van Zant - vocals

The song set:

1.Introduction by Lacy Van Zant/Workin for MCA
2.That Smell
3.I Know a Little
4.Comin' Home
5.You Got That Right
6.What's Your Name
7.Gimme Back My Bullets
8.Swamp Music
9.Call Me the Breeze
10.Dixie/Sweet Home Alabama
11.Freebird (Johnny refused to sing this song, he said only one man could sing this song on stage, and that was his brother the late/great Ronnie Van Zant. Johnny hung Ronnie's hat on the Microphone, and walked off. So, what you get is an excellent Instrumental Tribute to the band members who were killed in the crash. At the begining Johnny says this one goes out to Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, & Dean Kilpatrick.)

There is a dvd version of this included in the "Freebird the Movie"/Lynyrd Skynrd Tribute Tour" DVD. This tribute tour & band eventually became the continuance of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and they are still recording and touring today. This one's for the "true fan". Thanks!!!

 

[Dennie]

Layla and other assorted Love Songs -- 24k Gold OMR CD

Derek and The Dominos

1970/1993 MFSL UltraDisc II

The greatest guitar album of the rock era, November 10, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Derek and the Dominos/Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (Audio CD)

If you only know this album from hearing "Layla" on the radio, then your first question after hearing this will be: "Why don't they play the rest of it?" Even if you are sick of "Layla", this album is a treasure chest of searing pain songs, caused by Eric Clapton being dumped by Patti Harrison, wife of Beatle George. Even the relatively hookless tunes like "Keep On Growing" and "Anyday" get over on sheer desperate passion. Plenty of guitarists can make their instrument scream, but only Clapton, on "Bell Bottom Blues", had ever made it sob. This was Clapton's absolute peak--all the power and virtuosity of his Cream years are encapsulated here, cast in a personal blues tone that anticipates almost everything he ever did thereafter. Duane doesn't suck either. If you can, read the 1985 interview with Clapton in Rolling Stone. He relates how the band was all nodded out on drugs the entire time. Do _not_ try this at home; they are trained professionals!

Side one

"I Looked Away" (Eric Clapton, Bobby Whitlock) – 3:05
"Bell Bottom Blues" (Clapton) – 5:02
"Keep on Growing" (Clapton, Whitlock) – 6:21
"Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" (Jimmy Cox) – 4:57

Side two

"I Am Yours" (Clapton, Nizami) – 3:34
"Anyday" (Clapton, Whitlock) – 6:35
"Key to the Highway" (Charles Segar, Willie Broonzy) – 9:40

Side three

"Tell the Truth" (Clapton, Whitlock) – 6:39
"Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?" (Clapton, Whitlock) – 4:41
"Have You Ever Loved a Woman" (Billy Myles) – 6:52

Side four

"Little Wing" (Jimi Hendrix) – 5:33
"It's Too Late" (Chuck Willis) – 3:47
"Layla" (Clapton, Jim Gordon) – 7:05
"Thorn Tree in the Garden" (Whitlock) – 2:53

All four sides of the original LP were combined into one disc in most CD versions. The LP was re-released on 180g vinyl by Simply Vinyl in the 1990s and re-mastered and re-released on 180g vinyl by Universal Music in 2008.

 

[Dennie]

Sum Serious Blues...... :music-rockout:

"Break-A-Leg" tonight Gary.......... :bow-blue:

I've known Gary Smith for a few years now and tonight they are playing at the Hinsdale Fire Dept. Block Dance & Muster, Hinsdale, MA.

....... :eusa-clap:

What Can A Good Man Do? -- CD

Arthur Holmes Blues Band

2012 Arthur Holmes Records

Track List:

1. Ribs and Cornbread
2. What Can A Good Man Do?
3. Mean Joleene
4. Senorita from Encenita
5. Sentimental Sound
6. Walk Free
7. Red House
8. My Time To Die
9. Right In Front of Me

Personal:

Arthur Holmes: Guitar and Vocals

John Worth: Bass

Gary Smith: Hammond Organ

Bridget Wnukowski: Drums

www.arthurholmesbluesband.com

http://www.arthurholmesbluesband.com/fr_home.cfm

 

[Botch]

BT, This Binary Universe, in 5.1 Surround:

 

[Dennie]

Speaking of "Hammond Organ" masters.....

It's About Time -- CD

Jack McDuff & Joey DeFrancesco

1996 Concord Jazz

The master & the pupil, November 13, 2000
By Enno Roosink (Amsterdam) - See all my reviews
This review is from: It's About Time (Audio CD)

Two masters of the hammond organ, both masters in their own class, two generations, two warriors, two heroes carrying the B3 torch into 2000 and far beyond. Listen carefully and enjoy the pleasures of the real stuff, although Concord recordings used to be the " mainstream label " please get tempted and purchase this 4 star recording. Settle yourself in front of your Hi Fi stereo set and let the Lesley Box vibrations come over you.

Track Listing

1. Pork Chops and Pasta
2. Please Send Me Someone to Love
3. Secret Love
4. Our Delight
5. Yesterdays
6. The Most Beautiful Girl in the World
7. Rock Candy
8. Funk Pie
9. Black Jack

 

[Dennie]

Sapphire Blue -- CD

Larry Carlton

2003 Bluebird Records

*****AWESOME*****, October 29, 2003
By M. P. Wright (HOUSTON, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Saphire Blue (Audio CD)

This is one of the best guitar CDs I have ever heard. Larry is one of the top jazz guitarists in the world and anyone familiar with his work will be blown away by these instrumental gems. Larry's liner notes state "I have wanted for many years to do a 'blues oriented' CD. For 'Saphire Blue' I had complete creative freedom." I assume his desire for creative freedom has something to do with the fact that this cd is only available as an import. Don't let the price scare you - it's worth every penny.

Larry maintains an upbeat jazz/blues focus while showcasing his brilliant dexterity and encyclopedic knowledge of various styles. My personal favorites are "Night Sweats" and "Take Me Down". The former begins with ominous keyboard changes that bring to mind "Come Together" by the Beatles and progesses into slow, simmering jazz groove that could have been lifted from a Steely Dan CD. The later is an acoustic guitar/harmonica exchange between Larry and his old buddy Terry McMillan. I immediately thought of "Black Water" by the Doobie Bros. Other highlights include the title track which has a B.B. King feel to it and the bouncy bonus track "Room 335". The stellar backup musicians include Reese Wynan (formerly with Stevie Ray Vaughn & Double Trouble) on B-3 organ, Mark Douthit on tenor sax and excellent horn arrangements by Jim Horn. I would give this CD 10 stars if I could - it's really that good! Can't wait to see him in concert 11/15.

Track Listing
1. Friday Night Shuffle
2. Pair of Kings, A
3. Night Sweats
4. Sapphire Blue
5. 7 for You
6. Slightly Dirty
7. Just an Excuse
8. Take Me Down

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening.....

Migration -- CD

Dave Grusin

1989 GRP Records

The album cover reflects music on this album, January 31, 2003
By scotthew "bigmbooks" (Columbia, MD United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Migration (Audio CD)

This album provides a serene escape with its melodic poetry. I have owned this album for 10 years, and return to it frequently to be put in a trance. The album is worth owning solely for the Milagro Beanfield suite.

Punta Del Soul
Southwest Passage
First-Time Love
Western Women
Dancing in the Township
Old Bones
In The Middle Of The Night
T.K.O
Polina
- 14. Suite From The Milagro Beanfield War

Audio Quality

The one thing that really hits you with this CD (other than the fantastic musicianship), is the outstanding recording quality. In fact, I would say this CD remains one of the best bass and drum/percussion recordings I've ever heard. A couple of tracks consistently "bottom out" my speakers if played at excessive volume: the deep bass of First Time Love or the drums on Old Bones . Granted, that's not a good thing, but typically this is something I've only experienced with heavy 5.1 channel movie sources (like The Incredibles ). This CD will definitely give your amplifier/speaker combination a workout. Equally impressive were the outstanding performances by some of the best bass players and drummers in the business: Harvey Mason and Omar Hakim (drums), and Marcus Miller and Abraham Laboriel (bass). All are long-time first call session players dating back to the 1970's (with the only exception being Omar Hakim-who will blow your mind if you've ever been lucky enough to see him play live). In addition, Marcus Miller wrote T.K.O. , which features screaming solo performances from himself as well as Omar Hakim and Brandford Marsalis (tenor sax). Finally, I usually hit "stop" when it gets to track #10 and pretend that the CD ends there.

 

[Dennie]

Time Squared -- CD

Yellowjackets

2003 Heads Up Records

Unexpected brilliance from a venerable fusion outfit July 10, 2003
By Jan P. Dennis VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD

A hard group to figure, the Yellowjackets are equally at home in funk, fusion, post-bop, Latin-jazz, and world-jazz, sometimes, it seems, all at once. A big factor separating them from other fusion outfits is the looming presence of Bob Mintzer. With a solid grounding in mainstream jazz (as the leader of his own big band, e.g., he's recorded 11 discs), he adds grit, weight, and depth to this band, where other, similar outfits often opt for the smooth approach from the saxophone chair.

When he wants to, Russ Ferrante can also rip on piano in a straight-ahead mode. Indeed, that's his preferred instrument on this outing, unusual for a fusion band. Newcomer Marcus Baylor on drums and percussion brings a hard-driving jazz sensibility. Coming out of the Gene Jackson school of highly sophisticated funk-jazz, he also seems to have a bit of Tain in him. Even Jimmy Haslip, the least likely straight jazzer here, seems to have caught the vibe.

This strikes me as not only a huge advance for the 'Jackets, but also as one of the smartest, hippest jazz recordings of what must be regarded as a standout year for brilliant jazz.

Album Tracks

1. Go Go
2. Monk's Habit
3. Smithtown
4. Healing Waters
5. Time Squared
6. Gabriela Rose
7. Sea Folk
8. V
9. Claire @ 1 8
10. Village Gait
11. My 1st Best Friend

 

[Dennie]

Greenhouse -- CD

Yellowjackets

1991 GRP Records

One of the best Fusion Albums of the '90s June 13, 2007
By Brian Whistler VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Look, Yellowjackets got a bad rep they don't deserve. True, they started off as a more rock oriented fuzak unit but the good news is, they grew up. This CD is the proof of that assertion. Ferrante proved himself to be a fine composer and with the addition of Bob Mintzer's ballsy tenor, this unit finally pulled away from the smooth jazz arena they had languished in. Not to disparage the other guy, but in the end, he was a lick player. Mintzer is the real deal, a jazz player with a big vocabulary who really knows his stuff. And he can write! And arrange.

This is a mature effort with not a single dud track. None other than Vince Mendoza did the string arrangments and for those in doubt, these are NOT empty sweetening, but amazingly challenging and creative parts that augment the tunes without getting in the way or diluting quartet sound. And William Kennedy is simply the best drummer around for this kind of music. He makes it all feel great. As Gary Burton once said, "you only sound as good as your drummer." No wonder the 'Jackets never sounded better. When they lost William, they lost their heartbeat.

Pity this is out of print. It is one for the ages, and easily the most ambitious and best Yellowjackets recording of their entire output. This is NOT timid jazz.

Track Listing
1. Freedomland
2. Greenhouse
3. Seven Stars
4. Indian Summer
5. Spirits
6. Brown Zone
7. Liam / Rain Dance
8. Invisible People
9. Freda
10. Peace