Oct 27, 2017
By: Lynn René Bayley
The notes for this release state that this album is a reflection of Eric Wyatt’s life. His father, Charles Jolley Wyatt, was himself a tenor saxophonist and a friend of Sonny Rollins who, early in Eric’s career, dubbed him “The Godson of Sonny Rollins.” He introduced his son not only to Rollins’ playing but also that of Charlie Parker. A family friend, Arthur Rhames, introduced Eric to the music of John Coltrane, and ever since he has felt that he is “wearing two hats,” with one foot in Newk (Rollins) and one in Trane. Both his father and Rhames died in 1989.
The album starts out with E-Brother, one of two tunes by pianist Benito Gonzalez. This is a funky jazz piece with a bit of an Afro-Latin beat to it, and Wyatt’s first entrance is impressive. He seems to be channeling Trane here, but Trane in his earlier, more swinging days. Keyon Harrold takes a fine trumpet solo, then it’s Gonzalez’ turn, and he plays some very pretty fast figures before the whole band returns for the ride-out. On Look to the Sky-Sister Carol, which starts out as a 6/8 jazz waltz, Wyatt switches to alto, but politely defers to Harrold as the first soloist up. Harrold plays relatively sparsely, using the relaxation of his improv to rhythmically launch his trumpet. He does not have a big tone but is a very good and imaginative improviser. Then Wyatt enters, and he completely changes the sonic landscape, playing alto with the kind of “flat” tone associated with both Rollins and Coltrane (but not with Bird). Gonzales’ solo is right up there with Wyatt’s, exploring the changes with dazzling runs and fills in the first chorus, a bit sparser in the second. Then, surprise surprise, Wyatt returns but this time on soprano, and in the ride-out both he and Harrold are quite busy interacting with and complementing each other. This is wonderful jazz!
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For more on Eric Wyatt click here
Oct 23, 2017
By: George W Harris
October, 1, 2017
With a career spanning 3 score years and including work ranging from BB King to Elvis, Etta James and Roy Orbison, session guitarist Reggie Young delivers a classy instrumental album that oozes style and substance. He teams with buddies like Clayton Ivey-Catherine Marx-Jim Brown-Mike Rojas/key, David Hood-David Hungate-Dennis Belfield/b, Chad Cromwell-Shannon Forrest/dr, Jennifer Lynn Young/cel and a Jim Horn-led sax section teamed with Steve Herman/tp and Charles Rose/tb. Throughout the seven tracks, Young takes you through a sumptuous mix of soul, country and jazzy blues, never pretentious, and always swingingly professional.
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To Check out Reggie Young’s album, Forever Young, click here
Oct 20, 2017
WHALING CITY SOUND
ALMA MICIC/That Old Feeling: A first rate jazz singer that deserves to be known west of New York, she knows how to wrap herself around the oldies in fine form. A tasty set that is a hallmark for anyone that’s swirled martinis in a clip joint where a thrush holds court will know just what this all about and what treasures lie beyond the bytes. Tasty throughout.
99
Find out more about Alma Micic
here.
Oct 20, 2017
WHALING CITY SOUND
LEWIS PORTER PHIL SCARFF GROUP/Three Minutes to Four: A sweet return to sixties flavored jazz when jazzbos felt free to take international chances under the wave of Beatlemania that was washing over everything . Loaded with the smoking side of the east meets west jazzbo vibe of the times, this set will either take you back or make you venture further. Real pros kicking it out for the sake of good times.
100
Find out more about Lewis Porter Phil Scarff Group
here.
Sep 29, 2017
By: C. Michael Bailey
Serbian vocalist Alma Micic‘s 2014 Tonight (CTA Records) was a welcome addition to the jazz vocals discography because of its bold repertoire and compelling performance. Micic returns with a decidedly more focused and refined recording that mixes the new and old with her own original “Ne Zaboravi me” and Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” with durable standbys, “That Old feeling” and “Blue Moon.” Micic is joined by guitarist and husband Rale Micic, bassist Corcoran Holt, drummer Jonathan Blake and vibraphonist Tom Beckham, the latter whose presence provides the recital a playful sepia patina. Both Micics and Beckham tear it up on “Moonglow” and then, “Cry Me a River” and “Honeysuckle Rose” in a triptych highlighting the first half of the 20th Century. Micic’s voice is red-wine complex with subtle notes of Eastern Europe. The best selection on the recording, easily, is “Estate” which the Micics perform as a duet. That Old Feeling is a fine follow-up to Tonight and precedes some doubtlessly fine.
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To buy That Old Feeling, click here
Music industry consultant and publicist Ginny Shea has garnered international exposure for her clients through radio and video promotion, print media, and her vast industry network.