New Music Releases: Saskia Laroo, Lafayette Harris, Eri Yamamoto & Choral Chameleon

Saskia Laroo - Trumpets Around The World

"The Dutch Lady of Jazz" is what trumpeter Saskia Laroo has been affectionately called by the press and fans for years. On November 15, she released her highly anticipated eighth album “Trumpets Around The World”, with which she will also celebrate three milestones at the same time: the new release, 40 years on stage as of this year, 25 years leading the Saskia Laroo Band, and 25 years since the start-up of Laroo Records. On the protean “Trumpets Around The World”, Laroo skillfully combines her mastery of various instruments, namely, trumpet, bass, and saxophone with funky dance, hip hop, modern grooves, singing and rap. Here stands Laroo's repute for a candid improvisational style, inspired by influences and cultures from all over the world. ~ smoothjazz.com

Lafayette Harris - You Can't Lose With The Blues

Straight, strong, and soulful work from pianist Lafayette Harris – working here with a nicely understated trio that features Peter Washington on bass and Lewis Nash on drums – both musicians with more than enough sensitivity to make some subtle contributions, while still letting Harris dominate the lead and do his thing! The tracks are all relatively short – most in the four or five minute range – but like a piano pro of the old school, Harris really packs a lot into a little space – on titles that include "Bloomdido", "Love Me In A Special Way", "Things Ain't What They Used To Be", "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying", "He's My Guy", and "The Juicy Blues".  ~ Dusty Groove

Eri Yamamoto & Choral Chameleon – Goshu Ondo Suite

One of the most beautiful albums we've ever heard from pianist Eri Yamamoto – in large part because of the presence of the Choral Cameleon vocal group! The mix of piano and voice is wonderful – haunting and powerful, in a way that reminds us of some of the best Vince Guaraldi experiments of this type – but with a sharper edge, as you might guess from the piano of Yamamoto – and support from David Ambrosio on bass and Ikuo Takeuchi on drums! Sometimes the voices rise high and proud – as in a Max Roach jazz-with-voices album – other times they drift dreamily, providing more of a subtle ascendant current to the lines of the piano. Either way is great to our ears – a really wonderful record – and tracks feature the long "Goshu Ondo Suite", plus "Echo Of Echo". ~ Dusty Groove