NEW RELEASES - LUIZ BONFA, CASWELL SISTERS, HORACE SILVER

LUIZ BONFA - AMOR! THE FABULOUS GUITAR OF LUIZ BONFA

A rare early album by the legend Brazilian guitar genius – still bossa, but also recorded in the US – which gives the album a stronger jazz feel at times! The core focus here is still on Bonfa's lively guitar solos – but the presence of added jazz musicians make for a set that's a bit fuller and richer than some of the more solo-styled album from Luiz – not exactly Verve bossa, but somewhere close – and a wonderful record that manages to capture the best side of Bonfa's lyrical genius – thanks to a mix of original sambas and bossa tunes, plus Bonfa-ized versions of some American standards. Titles include  "Island Of Trinidade", "Blue Madrid", "Old Times", "Indian Dance", "Marajo", "Brasilia", and "Arabesque". ~ Dusty Groove

CASWELL SISTERS FEATURING FRED HERSCH - ALIVE IN THE SINGING AIR   After thriving careers under Establishing Their Own names over the last ten years, sisters Rachel and Sara Caswell Have Their focus increasingly turned to the musical bond they'd shared since childhood. Vocalist and violinist Sara Rachel first Approached Fred Hersch back in 2008 about working with 'em was attached project as pianist and co-producer. The results of Their cooperation may be Heard on Singing Alive in the Air , a breathtaking collection of songs featuring Hersch, one of jazz 's most Celebrated pianists, with backing by bassist Jeremy Allen and drummer Bryson Kern . The CD will be released on March 5 by the sisters' Turtle Ridge Records. Surprises abound in the sisters' repertoire choices. Two Hersch compositions with lyrics by British jazz singer Norma Winstone - " Song of Life "and" A Wish "- Especially fine are fits. In a nod to Their Bloomington, Indiana roots, the Caswells include Hoagy Carmichael's " I Get Along Without You Very Well "and Their version of Nancy King's samba" I Sing for You "goes out to King, one of Rachel's favorite singers.  

HORACE SILVER - SILVER 'N HORSES

A beautiful, beautiful record from Horace Silver – one of his great 70s experiments for Blue Note – and a set that has him working in the same "jazz with voices" mode explored by Max Roach and Donald Byrd in earlier years! The core of the set is focused around the great work of Silver's combo – with Tom Harrell on trumpet, Bob Berg on tenor, Ron Carter on bass, and Al Foster on drums – a wonderfully cohesive unit that arcs and turns with all these sweet little shifts – keeping up with the creative rhythms directed from Silver, while cascading through a beautiful range of tones and colors as well! The vocals follow suit beautifully – directed by Alan Copeland, but with a much more soulful approach than his 60s material – bursting forth with this warmth and sense of tone that really matches the instrumentation. Titles include "I Will Always Love You", "Out Of The Night", "Incentive", "New York Lament", "Mood For Maude", and "All In Time". ~ Dusty Groove