Lisa Hilton – Chalkboard Destiny
We live in an exciting time of constant change... is the
introductory quote from the award winning composer, and acclaimed pianist Lisa
Hilton, in her liner notes for her latest release Chalkboard Destiny recorded
with jazz luminaries JD Allen on tenor sax, Rudy Royston on drums and Luques
Curtis on bass. It s an appropriate prelude for an album that unfolds with the
track Rush Hour Rhapsody - quickly exposing the listener to the robust energy
of Hilton's band. There s also a hard-to-pin-down energy flowing between Allen
s explosive virtuoso displays, the dynamic details of Royston s accents or the
booming lines of Curtis s bass alongside Hilton s fluid piano but impressive it
is in a beguiling way. Allen's solo in the middle of Sympathy for Blues is
astounding, and along with Curtis's agile bass, Royston's touch and the laid
back retro charm of Hilton's piano you'll want to play this one over and over.
Hilton conveys that the concept behind Chalkboard Destiny is the idea that our
future, our destiny, can be continually reshaped, implying that we are not
beholden by history or traditional myths, allowing us a freedom in creation.
The title track easily exhibits this concept with Royston s rim shots clacking
for attention. Hilton also shows her harmonic and emotional depth with her
tender composition Temporary Lullaby, as well as the moving Waltz From Nowhere.
The Joni Mitchell classic, Blue Boy showcases the compatibility of this group
Allens dusky tenor a contrast to his band mates. Tracks Tropic of Tango, Myths
& Fantasy, and Adventures & Alibis all delve into a variety of Latin rhythms
and engaging harmonic ideas as well. Café au Mojo, is a bright piece where
traditional ideas abound. Altogether an exuberant exhibition of top notch
players rallying around traditional ideas in new ways.
Vincent Herring / Bobby Watson / Gary Bartz - Bird At 100
A tribute to the music of Charlie Parker – but a set that
sparkles more from the individual inspiration of the three alto giants in the
lead – a great lineup that features Gary Bartz, Bobby Watson, and Vincent
Herring! The tracks are long, with great lead passages that have all three
horns soaring together, then individual solos from each player – and although
the songs include a number of classics from the Charlie Parker songbook, the
album also features original tunes by Herring and Watson, and another by Jackie
McLean – maybe marking the whole thing as being very much in the spirit of its
title – a look back at a century that's felt the influence of Bird, with all
the alto sax changes that have taken place in the time since his passing. The
rhythm trio is excellent too – David Kikoski on piano, Yasushi Nakamura on
bass, and Carl Allen on drums – and titles include "Bird-Ish",
"Klactoveedsedstene", "The Hymn", "Folklore",
"Bird Lives", and "Yardbird Suite". ~ Dusty Groove
Grant Green - Sunday Mornin' (180 gram pressing)
A beautiful little session from one of the greatest
guitarists ever! The album's part of Blue Note's tendency to
"churchify" Grant Green on some albums – giving his guitar a gospelly
groove that has some nicely soulful connotations – but it's also a record
that's maybe the strongest of that bunch, as it's got this approach that's
loose and open – and which has this fantastic flow that's aided by the piano of
Kenny Drew! Drew is the equal star on this set – and the longer tunes on the
record really allow for plenty of open solo space – and the whole thing shines
with Drew's piano matching lines with Green's strung-out single-note solos. The
groove is pretty hard, and the recording quality keeps the whole thing nice and
lively – thanks also to work from Ben Tucker on bass and Ben Dixon on drums.
Titles include "Sunday Mornin", "Come Sunrise",
"Exodus", and "Freedom March". ~ Dusty Groove
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