A bracingly fresh combination of vibes, piano, bass, and drums – and a real standout set of modern jazz from the Italian postwar years! At first glance, the lineup of the group is relatively conventional – forged with the same instrumentation as the Modern Jazz Quartet or George Shearing group – but from the very first note of the record, you know that the sound is something quite different indeed – a bold new musical vision, carried off perfectly! The rhythms here are especially unique – often chopped up and slightly skittish – so that the vibes and piano are often handling rhythmic duties as often as melodic ones – rolling along with the bass and drums in a set of beautiful changes and timings that explode with color and life. Players include Vito Tommaso on piano, Giovanni Tommaso on bass, Antonello Vannucchi on vibes, and an unknown drummer – and titles include "Quartetto", "Soft Winds", "Estate 61", "Gabry", "Blues For Carole No 2", and "Like Someone In Love". ~ Dusty Groove.
DARRY ALEXANDER SR. - TRANSITIONS
“Transitions,”
the new record from Darryl Alexander features performances by Kenny Blake, Ken
Karsh, Brett Williams, Pete Tokar, Wilber Krebs, Fred Ervin, Joe Graziosi, John
Madgett, and Brandon Howard. “Transitions,” is scheduled for release in June and spotlights 11 original songs. “What I
enjoy working with this group is there is a lightheartedness in their soul, and
it comes out in their performances,” says Darryl. I remember Kenny Blake saying
one day in the studio that EMS personnel see some pretty horrific things every
day. As artists we have an opportunity to make someone’s day just a little bit
lighter, little bit easier, even if just for a moment. Wilber
has a wonderful garden which kept us well fed, and the big surprise was finding
out who Brett’s grandfather is. “Transitions”
opens with “On E. Street” which is a hip, fun song that is very danceable. Hey
Senorita is a modern samba selection that really grooves and is a salute to the
Latino culture. No Turning Back is a driving, funky tune that captures the
essence of contemporary jazz. The blending of jazz with funk, hip hop, latin,
rock and r&b are what made the songs on this record fun to record.
MADELAINE - WHO IS SHE...
An
overlooked record, but one with a strong Chicago soul pedigree – thanks to
arrangements from Johnny Pate and production from the great Carl Davis! In
anyone else's hands Madelaine might sound more like an adult contemporary
singer – but Pate's grooves and Davis' polish really swing things into all the
right territory – similar to the same sophisticated soul vibe of Carl's own
Chi-Soul projects from the same time. Madelaine seems most comfortable in
midtempo groovers, which are the real standouts here – and include the sweet
"Don't It Drive You Crazy", plus "It's In Your Eyes",
"Who What When Where Why", and a nice cover of "Who Is She &
What Is She To You". Other tracks include the groovy "I Love Makin
Love To You", plus "You Are Day You Are Night", and "In
Love We Grow". ~ Dusty
Groove
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