NEW RELEASES - THE ROBERT BOSSCHER QUARTET, EDDIE GOMEZ, MELISSA ALDANA

THE ROBERT BOSSCHER QUARTET - PLAYS SINTER JAZZ

Listening to the old Dutch Sinterklaas songs, you might wonder why they have not been recorded by major platinum selling artists. Many great American recording artists have acknowledged the great quality of their Christmas songs. Because of the wonderful melodies of the Dutch songs, New York based Jazz pianist Robert Bosscher decided it was high time to change the situation. In the wonderful Tedesco Studio in New Jersey he recorded a Sinterklaas Jazz Album with his all-star New York Quartet. Hopefully this will not cause too much tension this Holiday season, since the album turned out beyond expectations. I'm afraid the release of this album will only worsen the already very competitive relationship between Santa Claus and Sinterklaas. ~ CD Universe

EDDIE GOMEZ - PER SEMPRE

Eddie Gomez collaborated with five Italian musicians to produce this 2009 session, which primarily focuses on original ballads. The veteran bassist, recognized as a major player since his 11-plus years working with pianist Bill Evans, is in top form, providing an inventive foundation in the rhythm section. The sole standard is an unusual "Stella by Starlight" with tenor saxophonist Marco Pignataro (who also doubles on soprano sax) and flautist Matt Marvuglio alternately playing the lead and harmony, with the pulsating rhythm section that includes Gomez, pianist Teo Clavarella, and drummer Massimo Manzi. The bassist's warm ballad "Arianna" glistens with its early morning, spring-like air, showcasing its composer playing both arco and pizzicato, with him chanting softly along with his solo. Gomez's new version of his "Forever" (premiered on his 1987 CD Power Play) is an elegant affair with potent solos by Pignatano, Clavarella, and Marvuglio. The pianist's "Pops and Alma" has the flavor of progressive chamber music, while Marvuglio's extended "Why Cry?" is an emotional affair, with powerful playing by Pignatano (who switches to soprano for his solo) and the composer in a lush setting. Pignatano's somber ballad "Homesick" is beautifully voiced, with Gomez's haunting arco bass setting the mood, followed by the miniature bass solo in his "Epilogue." ~ Ken Dryden

MELISSA ALDANA - SECOND CYCLE   Second Cycle"Second Cycle" is Melissa Aldana's new album. Following the success of "Free Fall" and the positive reviews of this talented sax player by New York as well as international critics, Melissa went on to write new compositions. New York is where Melissa currently lives and where she has entered this "Second Cycle" showing her passionate, rushing life. Melissa has developed a new way of dealing with her inner music; she has created a new environment where she feels comfortable, a new unpredictable journey that immerses us in a new world of emotions, intricate harmonies that are transformed into evocative melodies through Melissa's delicate hands. In this new record we can find a new Melissa full of vitality. Her improvisations show once again her great technical mastery of the sax, and her ideas are developed fluently, showcasing her great personality. Her voice on the tenor saxophone arouses the curiosity to continue listening to the rest of the jazz pieces she has composed. Gordon Au - trumpet, Joseph Lepore - bass, Ross Pederson - drums support each and every single note blown by Melissa. Recorded under Greg Osby's label Inner Circle Music (like Free Fall, her 2010 debut album), Melissa is "actually one of my favorite saxophones on the planet because of her single voice, her special quality and characteristics", Greg affirms."Second Cycle" inspires math, conception, truth, and authenticity to this new cycle in Melissa's musical and personal life. ~ CD Universe