TARDO HAMMER
& PETER WASHINGTON – LIVE AT MEZZROW
A set
recorded live at the Mezzrow Jazz Club in New York, but one that's definitely
in keeping with the other titles in the Smalls Live series – even if the
setting is different! Pianist Tardo Hammer and bassist Peter Washington get
wonderful space to stretch out here – taking familiar tunes on long, live readings
– with sublime interplay between the bass and piano, and some wonderfully
creative solos throughout! The format is simple, but there's magic throughout –
and the whole setting is a great reminder of that special sort of spirit that
comes from well-matched creative talents in jazz. Titles include "Bean
& The Boys", "Milestones", "It Could Happen To
You", "Star Eyes", "Isn't It A Pity",
"Hackensack", and "These Foolish Things". ~ Dusty Groove
JOHN MCCOWEN
– SOLO CONTRA
The
"contra" here is a contrabass clarinet, not a stringed contrabass –
yet John McCowen manages to play his instrument in a way that greatly resembles
the larger wooden source of acoustic sound! The tones are very deep, and very
slow-rising – used by McCowen in this wonderful way that makes us aware of
textures we never would have expected from the instrument – none of the clearer
reed elements you might normally hear, and instead these deep, rumbling
elements that are as powerful as they are minimal! CD features three long
tracks – "Fur Korv", "Chopper HD", and "Berths 1 to
3". ~ Dusty Groove
STANLEY
TURRENTINE – THE LOOK OF LOVE
Stanley
Turrentine's a hell of a soloist in a large ensemble setting – and there's
possibly no better place to hear that talent at work than on this classic 60s
date for Blue Note! The format's a bit different than other Turrentine records
of the time – no small group romping, nor larger band soul jazz – and instead
this laidback and classy mode that's handled with a heck of a lot of soul by
arrangers Thad Jones and Duke Pearson – with this sophisticated vibe that
almost points the way towards some of Stan's ballad work of the 70s. Strings
are balanced nicely with jazz inflections from players who include Hank Jones,
Roland Hanna, and Duke Pearson on piano – plus Kenny Burrell on guitar, Benny
Powell on trombone, and both Snooky Young and Jimmy Nottingham on flugelhorn.
Titles include "The Look Of Love", "Emily", "I'm
Always Drunk In San Francisco", "MacArthur Park", "Blues
For Stan", "This Guy's In Love With You", and "Here There
& Everywhere". (SHM-CD pressing!)
~ Dusty Groove
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