CATHY
SEGAL-GARCIA – THE JAZZ CHAMBER
On her 11th
CD, The Jazz Chamber, Cathy Segal-Garcia expands her already wide-ranging
musical vision with innovative arrangements performed with a jazz chamber
orchestra. Segal-Garcia’s guiding principal for this project was quality
musicianship. “I really embraced the idea of a chamber orchestra for this
project because of how orchestral music affects the listener,” says
Segal-Garcia. “A large group of musicians playing beautiful but complex charts
creates a rich and encompassing experience.“ The Jazz Chamber was produced by Bevin
Manson, top-notch pianist, composer, and arranger, and co-produced by Dennis
Dreith, a film composer, arranger, and conductor, who lead his own eponymous
jazz band. Segal-Garcia chose songs of
various provenance. They are not your usual fare. She’s joined by several guest
vocalists, including Tierney Sutton, Kate McGarry, and Mon David. She’s also
joined by her improvisational vocal group Fish To Birds on a moody, evocative
tune enhanced by Bennie Maupin’s signature bass clarinet sound. The JazzChamber
is a showcase not only for Segal-Garcia’s warm, dark sound and intimate
performances, but also her expansive musical vision. With first-class arrangers
and some of the best jazz musicians in the country, her newest project presents
an artist not content to rest on her laurels.
EMANATIVE -
EARTH
Maybe the
best music so far from Emanative – a group who've been kicking around the
London scene for the past decade or so, but who really seem to hit a new level
with this album on Jazzman! The group's led by percussionist Nick Woodmansey,
who often steps back to let all the other spiritual elements flow through the
sound in a wonderful way – including excellent piano and organ from the great
Jessica Lauren, plus reeds from Tamar Osborn and Ben Hadwen – both players who
have a very cosmic approach – and haunting percussion from additional players,
in addition to Nick's own work on drums, balafon, and other instruments.
There's a very strong bassist in the lineup, too – Suman Joshi – and he directs
the proceedings with great strength when everyone comes together – but also
knows enough to step back when things are exploring different planes of global
consciousness at a more personal level. Titles include "Spice Route
Suite", "Egosystem", "New Day", "Heaven's
Mirror", "Iyaami", "Raga Requiem", and "Minutes
To Midnight For This Planet". ~
Dusty Groove
LO GRECO
BROS – DIFFERENT STANDARDS VOL. 2
Beautiful
work here from the Lo Greco brothers – sounding even warmer and jazzier here
than on their previous work for Schema Records! The duo of Gianno Lo Greco on
drums and Enzo Lo Greco on bass have a really easygoing approach to rhythm –
soulful, with all the right spaces between the notes – allowing the music to
build slowly with a very organic vibe – as things are expanded by contributions
on tenor, trumpet, piano, Fender Rhodes, and some great vocals from singers who
include Alice Ricciardi, Doctor Feelix, and Julia St Louis! Almost all tracks
have vocals, and the album's got plenty of slow-building modal numbers that
really take us back to the greatness of the European jazz scene in the 70s.
Titles include "Velvet", "Locked", "So She Does",
"Paradise", "Feeling Good", "Moonlight", and
"Naima". ~ Dusty Groove
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