A very cool tribute to the legendary Cannonball Adderley – but one that has a spirit that's nicely that of its leader, alto saxophonist Tony Kofi! Tony's got a tone that's different than Cannon – maybe a bit sharper, with this pinched, edgey quality that's really great – and which opens up the familiar tunes in a great way, and sounds especially nice on two of the album's originals! The group also features Andy Davies on trumpet, Alex Webb on piano, Andrew Cleyndert on bass, and Alfonso Vitale on drums – a group who know all the energy an Adderley group performance requires, while also letting their own souls and spirits take new directions too. Titles include "Work Song", "Sack O Woe", "Things Are Getting Better", "Another Kind Of Soul", and the originals "A Portrait Of Cannonball" and "Operation Breadbasket". ~ Dusty Groove
Having experienced success as an NYC rocker, composer, producer and woodwind performer Warren Keller now channels his most vibrant, grooving influences into his role as leader of the perfectly named fiery, urban jazz fusion ensemble Spontaneous Groovin’ Combustion. Their latest single “Jackie’s New Car” simmers over a mid-tempo funk swing vibe with a dynamic and infectious melody carried by the razzle-dazzle of “The Session Horns,” retro keyboards, jangly guitars and Keller’s punchy, improvisation-rich sax solo. This snazzy, infectious track will be featured on the group’s upcoming self-titled EP, which includes sampled Jeff Lorber as well as support from Third Richardson, Alex Al, and Dwight Sills. ~ smoothjazz.com
A beautiful set of mostly original music from pianist Mark Soskin, and a set that draws equal strengths from the soprano sax and bass clarinet of Billy Drewes – who plays with a great style that mixes lyrical modes with more of an edge – a mode that's a really wonderful complement to Soskin's piano! There's a slow-building sense of growth to most tunes – tracks that have a nice way of building up, finding their sound, then really flowering once the time is right – as the Soskin/Drewes pairing is given just the right sort of rhythmic pulse from Jay Anderson on bass and Matt Wilson on drums. Titles include the originals "Chutes & Ladders", "Tribute", "Once More", "Elvin's Tune", "Stretching", and "Hymn For Her" – plus versions of "Pretending To Care", "Happy House", and "Guinnevere". ~ Dusty Groove
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