NEW RELEASES: NICOLE - RAIZES / ROOTS; LIAM NOBLE - A ROOM SOMEWHERE; FULVIO SIGURTA - THE OLDEST LIVING THING

NICOLE - RAIZES / ROOTS

Raizes / Roots from singer and songwriter Nicole is a collection of 13 songs where she reinterprets vintage and contemporary songs from the Jewish songbook, re-imagined in a variety of Brazilian styles and rhythms and with lyrics in Yiddish and Portuguese Musician include: Pablo Aslan (acoustic bass); Cyro Baptista (percussion); Rob Curto (accordion); Paul Meyers (nylon string guitar); Brandon Seabrook (mandolin & electric guitars); Lorin Sklamberg (vocals); Renato Thoms (percussion); Michael Winograd (clarinet); Jake Shulman-Ment (violin); Frank London (trumpet, piano); and Danny Blume (electric bass). Tracklist: Com Saúde (Abi Gezunt); Passarinho; Quem Que Sobra (Ver Vet Blaybn); Batatas (Bulbes); No Escuro; Ave Dourada; Chuva (Der Regn Zipt in Droysn); Dois Músicos; Tal vez;. Ontem (S Iz Nito Kein Nekhtn); Cantando Por Um Mundo Melhor (Singing For a Better World/Sholem Lid); Nova Dança (Der Nayer Sher); and Bulbes (Remix).

LIAM NOBLE - A ROOM SOMEWHERE

Liam Noble returns with his first solo recording in 20 years. Liam has worked in a vast range of contexts, including as a sideman in award winning projects with Julian Siegel, Christine Tobin and Mark Lockheart and in a transatlantic ensemble with Zhenya Strigalev (which has included Eric Harland, Ambrose Akinmusire, Greg Hutchinson and Larry Grenadier). He has also collaborated in free improvisation projects such as Sleepthief (with Tom Rainey and Ingrid Laubrock), and performed in ensembles with Peter Evans, Mary Halverson, Mat Manieri and Okkyung Lee. It now feels like the right time to strike out alone again. The album features idiosyncratic interpretations of the standard repertoire, contemporary songs, jazz compositions and some original improvisations inspired by the scenario. ~ Amazon

FULVIO SIGURTA / STEVE SWALLOW / FEDERICO CASAGRANDE - THE OLDEST LIVING THING

Back from the intriguing experience of 'SPL' (in trio with Andrea Lombardini on bass guitar and Alessandro Paternesi on drums), a modern record with surprising turns, Fulvio Sigurtà is back with a more classically jazz album. Supported by Steve Swallow s stunning bass guitar and Federico Casagrande s refined acoustic guitar, Sigurtà s trumpet and flugelhorn weave soft, enchanting melodies. You may let yourself be lulled by the first song and title track on this album, written by the band leader, and Casagrande s 'Sorrows And Joy of A Lamb'. The two regularly alternate as writers of the nine original tracks on 'The Oldest Living Thing', composed by one or the other in more or less equal measure. The only virtual guest here is Ennio Morricone, who is involved thanks to an appealing reinterpretation of the theme from 'Nuovo Cinema Paradiso'. Although the temperament and uniqueness of Steve Swallow is no surprise, one can rightly be a little amazed by the continuous growth of Sigurtà and Casagrande: the former has mastered a variety of timbres that would make many players envious (the intro to 'Sunday Snow Flakes' is a case in point), while the latter invents sounds and harmonies that perfectly combine with the band leader s ideas ('Travel Back'). Two of the talents among the new generation of Italian jazzmen who are worthy of being listened to most attentively. ~ Amazon