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STEVE SWALLOW - Deconstructed (1997)
This CD by electric bassist Steve Swallow is a major surprise, for his ten originals are essentially bebop, often using chord changes that sound familiar; for example, the opening "Running in the...
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ARI BROWN, EARMA THOMPSON, JOHN BRUMBACH - Madam Queen (2007)
To honor the veteran if greatly underrated Chicago pianist Earma Thompson, tenor saxophonists Ari Brown and John Brumbach joined her in a quintet for a set of standards and basic originals. While...
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ARI BROWN - Venus (1998)
Chicago saxophonist Brown is a true unsung hero, but with this marvelous CD, his stock rises considerably. All the swing, soul, spirit and spunk you could possibly want in your daily helping of modern...
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PIERRE FAVRE ENSEMBLE - Singing Drums (1984)
Singing Drums brings together some of ECM’s most formidable percussionists in this one-off incarnation of the Pierre Favre Ensemble. For this date, Favre welcomes Paul Motian, Fredy Studer, and Nana...
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DAVE BRUBECK - All The Things We Are (1976)
All the Things We Are is a bit unusual in the Dave Brubeck discography. The pianist is heard in a quartet with altoist Lee Konitz on "Like Someone in Love" and a brief "Don't Get Around Much Anymore,"...
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CHICO FREEMAN QUARTET - No Time Left (1979)
Chico Freeman (tripling on this album on tenor, soprano and bass clarinet) made many records from 1977-84, and all are worth picking up by fans of adventurous jazz. Freeman's warm tone and knowledge of...
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CHICK COREA, STEVE GADD, CHRISTIAN McBRIDE - Super Trio (2006)
He may be in his mid-sixties, but pianist Chick Corea hasn't slowed down in the least. In the past five years there's been a monumental three-week run at New York's Blue Note, focusing a bright light...
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MARC COPLAND TRIO - Haunted Heart & Other Ballads (2002)
Marc Copland has a unique piano approach with instantly recognizable harmonies; a kind of dreamy dissonance that's more gentle than jarring. Listening to his music is like being in a sun-dappled forest...
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OREGON - Friends (1977)
Tracks1.Interstate (Ralph Towner)2. Gospel Song (Paul McCandless)3. Grazing Dreams (Collin Walcott)4. Slumber Song (Paul McCandless)5. Time Remembered (Bill Evans)6. First Thing In The Morning (Bennie...
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ARCHIE SHEPP QUARTET - True Ballads (1996)
This 1996 set features tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp with pianist John Hicks, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Idris Muhammad playing an inspired set of ballads. And while it's true that this is what...
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KAHIL EL'ZABAR'S THE RITUAL - Sacred Love (1985)
Tracks1. Day Of The Celestials2. The Inner Search3. Earth Song4. There Is No Grater loveMALACHI FAVORS bassRAPHAEL GARRETT clarinet, percussionKAHIL EL'ZABAR drums, sanza, voice, earth drumLESTER...
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PAOLO FRESU - Live At Casa Del Jazz (2009)
Tracks01. Eterninna (Tracana)02. Una Frutta Ed Una Pigna (Fresu)03. Rubens' Waltz (Cipelli)04. Crittograph (Fioravanti)05. Luce D'Autunno (Fresu)06. Fata (Tracana)07. Sono Andati (Puccini)08. Yin E...
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BILL DIXON - Tapestries for Small Orchestra (2009)
Tapestries for Small Orchestra is the most persuasive, comprehensive case for Bill Dixon's iconic status since November 1981 (Soul Note) and perhaps even his 1966 landmark orchestra album, Intents and...
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PAUL BLEY - Early Trios (1953-54)
Paul Bley is the stunning Canadian jazz piano virtuoso who isn't Oscar Peterson. Unlike his compatriot, he has never been a household name, but is celebrated in jazz for his tireless enthusiasm for new...
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PAUL BLEY - Touching (1965)
Tracks1. Start (Carla Bley)2. Cartoon (Annette Peacock)3. Touching (Annette Peacock)4. Mazatalan (Paul Bley)5. Both (Annette Peacock)6. Pablo (Paul Bley)7. Closer (Carla Bley)8. Blood (Annette...
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PAUL BLEY - Closer (1965)
Pianist Paul Bley is an innovator whose imagination eclipses the norm. He never wavers from a challenge and there is always an air of expectancy each time Bley sits at the piano. He is comfortable in...
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PAUL BLEY & GARY PEACOCK - Partners (1989)
Paul Bley had known and collaborated with Gary Peacock since 1962, so by the time this duo session was recorded, one could expect that a certain degree of musical empathy would be in play. And yes,...
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PAUL BLEY, EVAN PARKER, BARRE PHILLIPS - Time Will Tell (1995)
This CD contains a series of mostly thoughtful free improvisations featuring three of the giants of the idiom: pianist Paul Bley, Evan Parker (doubling on tenor and soprano) and bassist Barre Phillips....
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JACK WALRATH - In Montana (1980)
Trumpeter Jack Walrath went back to Montana in January of 1980 to accomplish three things: visit his parents, burn down his old high school, and do a recording with a local quartet called—interestingly...
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ANOUAR BRAHEM - The Astounding Eyes Of Rita (2009)
In the world of the oud—the fretless, Middle Eastern incarnation of the lute—there are three artists who are moving the instrument—and its centuries-old tradition—forward. Tunisian-born DhaferYoussef...
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