The multi-faceted artistry of Bay Area bassist sensation and composer, Edo Castro, elevates the sounds that come from his unique, multi-stringed basses, both fretted and fretless, into a palate from which intricate compositions flow. Castro describes his newest release, Sacred Graffiti, as a tapestry of emotive impressions. "A musical Journal if you will," he explains, "In my day-to-day travels I've noticed what may be our modern day cave paintings - signs; scribbles on walls; imprints in the sidewalk; bumper stickers, etc. - all immersed within a cacophony of audible textures." These dynamic visuals have been given auditory life as Castro delivers intricate urban jazz arrangements interspersed with immersive soundscapes where the tangible tension between inner and outer worlds is encompassed by grace. Special guests - Mark Isham, David Friesen, Michael Manring, Dan Zinn, and Percy Jones, among others, join Castro on this endeavor. He offers this CD as his "Sacred Graffiti." ~ CD Universe
Pianist Julia Hülsmann's 2013 album, In Full View, is her third for ECM and her first with her quartet. The German-born Hülsmann usually works in a trio setting, but with In Full View she has expanded her sound, collaborating with British trumpeter Tom Arthurs. These are ruminative, long-form pieces that bring to mind the sound of such similarly inclined artists as pianist Keith Jarrett and trumpeter Kenny Wheeler. Hülsmann has a languid, harmonically rich approach to playing the piano that is beautifully offset by Arthurs' own investigative, somewhat plaintive improvisational style. Many of the tracks here, such as "Dunkel," "Richtung Osten," "Forgotten Poetry," and the quartet's fittingly brooding take on Leslie Feist's "The Water," mix classical and folk song-influenced melodies with expansive modal jazz forms that fit nicely into the ECM jazz tradition. ~ Matt Collar / CD Universe
Jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi created the classic soundtracks for the "Peanuts" television specials, and Linus and Lucy is George Winston's attempt to "help keep his musical legacy alive." Winston has been a Guaraldi fan since first hearing "Cast Your Fate to the Wind," which achieved hit status on early 1960s pop radio, and watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas" on television in 1965. On this solo-piano tribute, Winston works hard to stay true to Guaraldi's wide range of influences while bringing his own, distinct style to standards like "Linus & Lucy," which pays tribute to both classical music and boogie-woogie piano, and "The Great Pumpkin Waltz," with its strong jazz character. ... Full Description The true spirit of Guaraldi's music is alive and well on this album, captured in all its jubilance, humor and simplicity. Includes liner notes by George Winston and Jay Junker. Solo performer: George Winston (piano). ~ CD Universe
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