Monthly Archives: January 2015

Jan 31 2015

Recommended: Jacob Deaton & the Tribulation Band – “My Home”

 

Jacob Deaton - "My Home"What’s most arresting about My Home is the way each song possesses a quality of inevitability, that no matter how far Jacob Deaton & the Tribulation Band wander off from the melody, they’ll always return to it… and often.  The melodies of My Home are formed rather than cut, owing more to imagery than precision, and it’s why the ambiance of each song is so damn absorbing and why the magnetic pull to return to that melody is as strong as it is.

My Home plays out as a cinematic experience, which runs counter-intuitive to the definitive structure each song exhibits.  Those conflicting qualities add a nice bit of tension to the affair.  So does the music’s easy-going nature and its predisposition for the big pronouncement.  These songs are charming and wistful, moving with a pleasant, unhurried gait that allows for the space and time for each expression to bloom, hang, and drift away.  This is something accomplished when the song is at its most peaceful and when it jacks the heat way up.  The blues are evident throughout and Americana informs all of it.

Deaton switches things up a bit by mixing in a few shorter pieces.  They fit part and parcel with the album’s prevailing demeanor, but by limiting the time frame, the band skips the whole patient expression thing and gets right to the point.  The solo guitar piece “Grandma’s Grocery” twists up a melody and then watches it unravel.  “Open the Door” scoots along to the beat of piano and hand claps.  “In the Moment” sets a match to a melody and lets it smolder.

A tuneful album with a strong presence.

It’s also one that I typically recommend to people who tell me they like the Brian Blade Fellowship.  Go scoop it up.

Your album personnel:  Jacob Deaton (guitar), Akeem Marable (alto sax), Nick Rosen (piano), Craig Shaw (bass) and Justin Chesarek (drums).

Released in 2013, this album is Self-Produced.

Jazz from the Atlanta, GA scene.

Available at:  Bandcamp | CDBaby | Amazon

 

By • Jazz Recommendations, Jazz Recommendations - 2013 Releases • 0

Jan 30 2015

These are videos that I like: Prism Quartet & Rudresh Mahanthappa at World Cafe Live

 

Prism Quartet - "Heritage Evolution"Today’s featured video is from Prism Quartet & Rudresh Mahanthappa performing the song “I Will Not Apologize For My Tone Tonight,” live at the World Cafe Live in Philly.

This April 2014 performance is part and parcel with the Prism Quartet’s latest album, Heritage/Evolution, which was one of yesterday’s This Is Jazz Today weekly recommendations.  It’s an outstanding album, and will be receiving a larger write-up in the near future on this site.

For now, today’s video…

Your video personnel:  Timothy McAllister (soprano sax), Zachary Shemon (alto sax), Matthew Levy (tenor sax), Taimur Sullivan (baritone sax) and Rudresh Mahanthappa (alto sax).

 

Have a great start to your weekend!

Cheers.

By • These are videos that I like • 0

Jan 29 2015

This is Jazz Today: Tomoko Omura, Prism Quartet, Akku Quintet & more!

 

BitW square avatarSo here we are.  As you (hopefully) read in a previous column, my run on eMusic & Wondering Sound is now over.  You can read about what’s what, here, w/this LINK.  For the time being, as I search for a new home for my weekly jazz recommendations column, I’ll be posting the recs on Bird is the Worm.

About those recommendations…

This will likely be the last quiet week before the 2015 new release schedule really gets under way.  That said, it was pretty much a coin toss between the top two albums as to which would get the Pick of the Week designation.  The winner got extra points for originality.  However, I recommend just buying both and living a happy life.

Let’s begin…

 

*** The Featured Five ***

 

Tomoko Omura – Roots

Tomoko Omura - "Roots"Fascinating new album from violinist Tomoko Omura, who takes well-known traditional Japanese songs and rearranges them for a jazz quintet.  Sharp melodies are carried along by flowing tempos.  Omura really digs into the development of each tune, but no matter how complex and expansive things may get, she retains those qualities that made the songs memorable in the first place.  It’s a hell of an accomplishment.  It’s also a seriously exciting album.  Omura got a strong cast joining her on Roots, with guitarist Will Graefe, pianist Glenn Zaleski, bassist Noah Garabedian and drummer Colin Stranahan.

Pick of the Week.

Released by Inner Circle Music.  Visit the artist site.

Available at:  Bandcamp | Amazon | eMusic

*****

Prism Quartet – Heritage/Evolution

Prism Quartet - "Heritage Evolution"This outstanding studio session is the result of the Prism (saxophone) Quartet commissioning new pieces to the preeminent jazz saxophonists on the scene, to be performed live and accompanied by the Quartet.  The six saxophonists who were chosen (Steve Lehman, Dave Liebman, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Greg Osby, Tim Ries and Miguel Zenon) each bring their own sound to Heritage/Evolution, but hearing each in the context of a saxophone quartet plus one shapes the performance in ways unexpected and often quite sublime.  An album with countless stunning moments.

Released on Innova Recordings.  Visit the artist site.

Available at:  eMusic | Amazon

*****

Giovanni Mirabassi – No Way Out

Giovanni Mirabassi - "No Way Out"This is an album that kicks out a tremendous amount of warmth even though the quartet  keeps to a candlelight flame.  The big reason for this is the interplay between pianist Giovanni Mirabassi and vibraphonist Stefon Harris, which is a delight to hear.  However the bass and drums rhythm section of Gianluca Renzi and Lukmil Perez Herrera provide No Way Out an essential quality of liveliness while maintaining a calm state of tempo.

Released on CamJazz.  Visit the artist site.

Available at:  eMusic | Amazon

*****

Akku Quintet – Molecules

Akku Quintet - "Molecules"Nice follow-up to their previous release, Stages of Sleep.  The Akku Quintet crafts strong melodic passages and runs them through a series of cinematic changes, building drama and tension with patience and care.  Their newest, Molecules, breathes a bit of fire from time to time via electric guitar, and the tempos are a bit more pronounced, but this is still a formidable display of melodic intent and ambient showmanship.  Dreamy music, quite beautiful.

This album is Self-Produced.  Visit the artist site.

Available at: Bandcamp | Amazon

*****

Walking Distance – Neighborhood

Walking Distance - "Neighborhood"Likable session from the Walking Distance quartet.  There’s an appealing looseness to the songs of Neighborhood, so that even when the kinetic energy threatens to snap them at the seams, they maintain a cohesiveness that not only gives the ear something to hang on to, but also allows the cross-currents of interplay and dialog to occur without things getting too muddied.  Most tracks prefer to keep their foot on the gas pedal, but a piece like “April 10th” shows the quartet knows how to develop a slow burn from a well-made melody.

Released on Ropeadope Records.  Visit the artist site.

Available at:  Bandcamp | Amazon

*****

*** And Five More ***

 

The Kandinsky Effect – Somnambulist (Cuneiform Records)

Kandinsky Effect - "Somnambulist"Considering how much this saxophone trio flings itself from genre to genre, they sure do possess an admirable cohesion.  The right mix of organic and electronic creates an appealing ambiance.  Cerebral music that also likes its party time.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp – Amazon

*****

Art of Making – Tribute (Edition Niehler Werft)

Art of Making - "Tribute"It’s a strange dance conducted by the trio of clarinet, vibraphone and acoustic bass.  They bounce around freely, disjointed and seemingly disconnected from one another, but close proximity gives a sense of synchronicity.  Interesting, to be sure.

No artist site | Buy: eMusic – Amazon

*****

Gregory Privat & Sonny Troupe – Luminescence (Jazz Family)

Gregory Privat, Sonny Troupe - "Luminescence"Nifty duo recording from pianist Privat and drummer/percussionist Troupe.  Whether scooting along or taking a peaceful stroll, they develop an amicable chatter.  Easy to like.

Artist site | Buy:  eMusic – Amazon

*****

Mattia Cigalini & Enrico Zanisi – Right Now (CamJazz)

Mattia Cigalini, Enrico Zanisi - "Right Now"Evocative duo collaboration between alto/soprano saxophonist Cigalini and pianist Zanisi.  Contemplative, even when getting the pulse rate up.  The moody pieces are easily the album’s best.

Artist site | Buy:  eMusic – Amazon

*****

Life Size – Bright! (Self-Produced)

Life Size - "Bright"Young sextet definitely listens to their Brian Blade Fellowship albums.  Nice mix of brooding ambiance, wandering melodies and driving tempos.  An unfocused creative vision outweighed by some very strong moments throughout.

Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp – CDBaby

*****

 

Have a great time digging through the list!

And remember, it’s simple:  You like what you like.

Cheers.

By • Jazz Recommendations, Jazz Recommendations - 2015 Releases • 0 • Tags:

Jan 28 2015

Recommended: Christian Wallumrød – “Pianokammer”

 

Christian Wallumrod - "PIanokammer"After so many projects with massive productions, it’s refreshing to hear a solo piano recording from pianist Christian Wallumrød.  Taking a spin on a number of grand pianos, and utilizing a number of editing and recording techniques, Wallumrød’s 2015 release Pianokammer allows him the space to show the bare elements at the heart of his unconventional music.

The extended drone of opening track “Fahrkunst” possesses a wavering tone, barely above a whisper, whereas “Hoksang” is a deeply melodic reverie, emphasizing the joy of a daydream over its introspective quality.

“Second Fahrkunst” returns to the opening’s drone, but pelts it with raindrops of notes, falling with an infrequency and unpredictable pattern that thwarts the possibility of the drone lulling the listener to sleep.

“School of Ecofisk” begins as merely a murmur, then breaks into a rapid chatter of notes, an expression where dissonance reveals the soft beauty within.

The easy-going “Boyd 1970” reflects the gospel elements that Wallumrød brings to his various projects.  He gives this tune a sunny disposition, whereas on the album finale, “Lassome,” the church music exhibits a bigger, effusive presence.  Where “Boyd 1970” was a kick back and enjoy track, “Lassome” is more a call to action.  It fades out to the wavering drone of the opening track, coming full circle by concluding on the same note that set the whole album into motion.

It’s a fascinating look into the quaint eccentricities that inform so much of Wallumrød’s grand productions.

Your album personnel:  Christian Wallumrød (piano, effects).

Released (Feb. 9, 2015) on Hubro Music.

Jazz from Norway.

Beautiful cover art by Morten Spaberg.

Available at: Amazon CD/MP3/Vinyl

 

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Jan 27 2015

Recommended: Tara Davidson – “Duets”

 

Tara Davidson - "Duets"The most compelling aspect of Duets is the way saxophonist Tara Davidson is able to corral six different duo collaborations, each with their own distinct personality, into a cohesive presentation, while still allowing each of the personalities to fully display their individual traits.

The congenial warmth elicited from the three duets with pianist David Braid offers up the brightest spots on this bright album.  Each is a lively conversation delivered with a casual ease.  Sharp melodicism is enhanced with the occasional burst of effusiveness and state of elegance.

Some real intriguing dialog is established with guitarist David Occhipinti.  Sometimes quirky, sometimes aggressive, sometimes harmonious… and all bundled up nicely.

Two different tenor saxophonists join Davidson on this session.  It’s more than a little fun to follow the woven pattern of intertwining lines on her tuneful duets with Trevor Hogg, whereas her duets with Mike Murley is all about the back-and-forth of witty dialog.

When Andrew Downing is on cello, the song just bubbles with personality, sounding both mysterious and benevolent.  And when Downing switches to acoustic bass, it’s a dance and its motion is simply riveting.

The only real weak spot on the album is the syrupy “For Glenda,” the first duet with pianist Laila Biali.  However, this duet also produces, arguably, the album’s strongest track.  “The Good Earth” has a sublime touch, the kind of solemn, delightful music meant for peaceful Sunday mornings when a comforting hush settles in over the city.  That it grows from this state into one that dramatically blooms is an even greater reward.

Just a real personable album, and one that I’m happy to recommend.

Your album personnel:  Tara Davidson (alto & soprano saxes), Mike Murley (tenor sax), Trevor Hogg (tenor sax), David Occhipinti (guitar), Andrew Downing (cello, acoustic bass), David Braid (piano) and Laila Biali (piano).

Released on Addo Records.

Jazz from the Toronto, Canada scene.

Available at:  eMusic | Amazon CD/MP3

 

By • Jazz Recommendations, Jazz Recommendations - 2014 Releases • 0

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