Where it's at with Stanley Turrentine – circa 1962 – a time when the tenorist was really hitting on all burners and turning out some tremendous work for Blue Note! The album's got Stan working with a special guest – a rare Blue Note appearance from pianist Les McCann, who's also at the height of his early career here – and really brings great energy to a quartet that also includes Herbie Lewis on bass and Otis Finch on drums. Les' piano has a nice bit – and really makes for a great groove alongside Stan's round, warm, raspy tone – a righteous sort of energy that drives the record strongly, in ways that are different than some of Turrentine's other sessions of the time. The whole thing's a cooker – and titles include "Pia", "Smile, Stacey", "Dorene Don't Cry I", and "Light Blue".(Part of the Blue Note Tone Poet series). ~ Dusty Groove
“Moving Ahead” by Gerardo Frisina is a double LP worth of new material that gathers together the various sounds that have characterized his entire production. A multiform album whose stylistic components are easily identifiable (Latin jazz, nu-jazz, Afro-Cuban, dub, electronic music) but that transcends any possible classification as a whole. As the title suggests, “Moving Ahead” is the mature continuation of a 20-year long solo career that once again demonstrates how Gerardo’s creativity still manifests itself today at very high levels. Available as a 2LP-set and as a digipack CD with the exclusive bonus track “Mwanga”.
Rainbow Baby, the third and most personal recording as a leader by jazz pianist and composer Cathlene Pineda, is an impressionist rendering of four years of motherhood, pregnancy, loss, and, ultimately, love. It is a personal tale with a universal theme. Pineda is a classically trained pianist with a master’s degree in jazz piano and composition from CalArts. She is part of the Southern California jazz scene and has worked with many talented artists, like Charlie Haden, Bobby Bradford, Art Lande, Wadada Leo Smith, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Kris Tiner, Vinny Golia, and Joe LaBarbera. RAINBOW BABY is a narrative exploring the joy of birth, the sadness of two miscarriages, and the anxiety of illness in the family, experiences which gave Pineda new perspectives on life and a deeper sense of empathy, which she translated into music. Cathlene Pineda’s playing and composing are technically astute and emotionally gratifying. She is able to weave intricate patterns without overwhelming the songs with needless complexity. She writes and plays from her heart and head, which makes Rainbow Baby a completely fulfilling musical experience.
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