Markus Reuter with Mata Atlântica - Retiro e Ritmo

Retiro e ritmo is a musical declaration of love to Mata Atlântica, the coastal rainforest of Brazil. Its beauty and vivacity inspired this album, which initiator and co-producer Mathias Derer hopes will in turn inspire others to help preserve, protect and speak out for this beautiful habitat.

Using contributions by many brilliant musicians (plus vivid tropical field recordings), Markus Reuter has created a collage that attempts to recreate the acoustic texture of this biotope. The result is a multi-layered soundscape of haunting melodies, jazzy harmonies, grooves inspired by Brazilian rhythms, poetry, and the genuine sounds of Mata life and existence. The combining voices of contributing musicians such as Gary Husband (John McLaughlin/Allan Holdsworth/Billy Cobham bands, NDR Bigband, Level 42), Brian Krock (Big Heart Machine, liddle), Raphael Preuschl (Fabulous Austrian Trio), Luca Calabrese (Wayne Horvitz European Orchestra, Isildurs Bane, Syntony, Italian Instabile Orchestra), Andi Pupato (Nik Bärtsch's Ronin, Mich Gerber, Andreas Vollenweider, etc.), Aralee Dorough and Colin Gatwood (both Houston Symphony Orchestra) form a complex collective sound fabric while still remaining individually audible.

The background to this album dates back five years, to a visit Mathias made to Brazil. “In July 2017, I traveled to Bahía at the invitation of German nature photographer Markus Mauthe, where I had the opportunity to attend the founding phase of the environmental organization AMAP Brazil. It was not only my first encounter with Brazil, but also with South America and the rainforest.

“After only a few steps into the tropical thicket, I realized that I was about to have a unique experience. The richness in which nature presented itself to me was overwhelming. Carefully, we moved through a complex web of shapes and colors: but even more surprised than my eye was my ear. Birds, insects, monkeys, frogs and countless other living organisms played their organic symphony on the basis of rustling and dripping leaves and creaking branches in the most species-rich biotope on earth.

“The beauty and lushness of this nature, its wildness, but also its vulnerability have never left me since. In the present day, more than ninety per cent of the Mata Atlântica has been destroyed. What is left of it is still considered to be one of the most threatened tropical forests in the world. For the next few years, both of these factors continued to work in me - the audiovisual experience of the Brazilian coastal rainforest and the concern for its existence. How could I contribute musically to bring more attention to this fragile habitat, while recreating its soundscape?

“In the initial conversation I had about the project, I won over my friend Markus Reuter, and a plan to realize the album quickly crystallized. The vague basic idea was to lay down groovy patterns on field recordings of the Mata's soundscape, over which lyrical melodies would unfold.

“Together we drew up a wish-list of musicians, which (thanks to Markus' numerous collaborations) included greats whom I would never have dared to dream of involving; and no instrumentalist failed to co-operate. On the contrary, each contribution surprised us with its richness of ideas, its playfulness and creativity.

“We proceeded according to the principle of a chain letter, and laid layer upon layer. Over field recordings from Mata Atlântica, Tobias Reber created complex electronic beats inspired by Brazilian rhythms. Raphael Preuschl added creative electric and double bass parts before Gary Husband contributed a variety of sound colors on piano, electric piano, organ and synthesizer. Next, Brian Krock, Luca Calabrese, Aralee Dorough and Colin Gatwood added flute, oboe, saxophone and trumpet parts; and then Andi Pupato completed the instrumental mesh with Brazilian percussion.

“After each intermediate step, Markus Reuter arranged, structured and supplemented the material into coherent compositions, until finally the singers Charlotte Pelgen, Graça Cunha, Zoey Gley, Lisa Fletcher and Deborah Carter Mastelotto could lend their voices to the vocal melodies (and Pat Mastelotto, usually better known for his King Crimson drumming, could lend his own voice to a poem by Lord Byron). To conclude the album, there is an ambient track that combines guitar soundscapes by Markus Reuter with percussion by Andi Pupato.

“The final result is a multi-layered sonic biotope, via collective composition by the musicians involved. What I am continually enthusiastic about is that I also get the impression of a well-rehearsed live band whenever I listen to it.“

Stylistically the album could be described as a lyrical and modern take on early 1970s fusion (a la Oregon or Weather Report) with more contemporary ideas on sound design and a distinctively European art rock/jazz element, all underpinned by Markus' very unique musical architecture.

“On the visual side, we were fortunate to have Markus Mauthe (one of Germany's most renowned nature photographers, without whose hospitality this project would never have existed in the first place), provide us with his photos, to which Bernhard Wöstheinrich's graphic design organically responds and adapts. In the booklet, further pictures by photographers Patrick Böttger and Lars Richter document the work of the nature conservation organization Almada Mata Atlântica Project (AMAP), with which they themselves are actively involved in initiatives for reforestation, species protection and ecologically-sustainable cacao cultivation.”

Benjamin Lackner | "Last Decade"

Benjamin Lackner’s label debut, Last Decade, is a concentrated investigation into patient quartet interplay, as the pianist leads an exceptional cast of instrumentalists with a keen sense of restraint. There’s a striking lyrical quality to Benjamin’s compositions, opening up many possibilities for his colleagues – trumpeter Mathis Eick, drummer Manu Katché and bassist Jérôme Regard – to inject the music with their own character. Subtle grooves and flowing solos emerge between the four of them. 

The great chemistry between Lackner and Regard can be traced back to 2006, when Regard first joined Lackner’s trio. Various incarnations of the trio produced six albums between 2004 and 2019 – Regard appears on half of them. Now having to expand his compositional framework from trio to quartet, Lackner recognizes new opportunities and finds freedom in having a melodic partner on horn. 

“We decided early on that this would be an acoustic record, which made it easier for me to focus on a direction and allowed me to rediscover the piano more intimately,” explains Lackner. “I worked on finding grooves that allowed me to conceptualize melodies in a more open way. With a horn player in the band, I had to come up with different harmony parts on piano than what I’m used to, and think of the trumpet as the leading voice, which is new territory for me, too, since I tend to play mostly in solo or trio settings. It was an inspiring change to write with Mathias in mind because his phrasing fits perfectly to the way I hear melodic material.” 

Between them, Katché and Eick have appeared on over twenty albums for the label with numerous leader-dates each. Mathias was also part of Playground (2007), Manu Katché’s second album for ECM. Their contributions to this quartet are highly distinctive – Katché’s drum patterns exude both natural spaciousness and particular assertiveness, while Eick’s breezy trumpet tone transcends the textures. Lackner: “In the studio, my colleagues were very open minded and helpful in the arrangement process of the music and we ended up making several changes that gave my compositions exactly the final touch they needed. Manu spontaneously added unique rhythmic accents and the session had an overall feeling of freshness because it was all new to all of us.”  

This freshness is apparent from the start, as is Benjamin’s ability to compose frameworks within which his sidemen’s exceptional abilities can unfold completely. “Where Do We Go From Here” opens the proceedings with a rubato that has Katché exploring the cymbals before switching to a more robust rhythmic foundation for “Circular Confidence,” a song that finds piano and trumpet sharing the melodic themes in equal parts. 

Throughout, Regard serves as both harmonic partner and grounding force, navigating the entirety of the double bass fingerboard with elasticity and elegance, often interlocking with Katché’s different emphases in the process. The programme is made up of exclusively Lackner originals, except for “Émile,” named after Regard’s son. The bassist improvised the music on the spot in the studio, capturing pristine acoustics. On “Camino Cielo,” named after the mountain range in California where Lackner’s ancestors emigrated to from Germany in the 1930s, the bass blends in with the band in an especially smooth way, so that the remarkable interplay of the group becomes the centre of attention, not the solos. Which is true for most of the music on the album. 

On “Hung Up On That Ghost,” the title track, “Remember This” or “Open Minds Lost” it’s never just about the individual but about the sum of the parts. In this case, the sum of four musicians improvising over thoroughly wrought designs with precision, mindfulness for each other and the producer’s guidance, which, as Lackner stresses, “helped shape the improvisations in a way I have never experienced before.” 

Closer “My People,” originally intended as a strict 11/4-time, was collectively refashioned into a loose rubato head with a jam-friendly middle-section in the studio and summarizes many of the idioms introduced previously. It reinforces the idea that Last Decade builds on the strengths of each member of the quartet, as they work together to create a greater whole. 

The album was recorded at Studios La Buissonne, Pernes-Les-Fontaines, in September 2021, and produced by Manfred Eicher.

Michael Sarian | "Living At The End Of The World"

Living at the End of the World is trumpeter/composer Michael Sarian’s follow up to his 2020 acclaimed album New Aurora. Inspired by trumpet greats such as Tomasz Stańko, Enrico Rava, and legendary Armenian-American drummer Paul Motian, it marks the trumpeter’s second foray into a style that explores the intersections between composed music and spontaneous creation, negotiating melodies and harmonies with free improvisation. Joining him on this journey are longtime collaborators, pianist Santiago Leibson, bassist Marty Kenney, drummer Nathan Ellman-Bell, and the acclaimed Chilean guitarist, vocalist and composer, Camila Meza, who lends her artistry on “Cinta Marina.”

Developed during much of 2020 and into 2021, the initial inspiration for Living at the End of the World came (as it had for the initial track on New Aurora) from Japanese author Haruki Murakami. In this case from his book, Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, wherein the main character spends half of the novel in a town called ‘The End of the World’. Sarian was deeply engrossed in this book during March and April of 2020 as the world was seemingly coming to an end, giving the trumpeter a different perspective on what the end of the world could be. “Instead of the world as we know it coming to an end, we could approach it as simply a new, temporary space we are living in,” says Sarian. “Still a menacing, other-wordly space, but not without hope.” The title track itself conveys this polarity, a bluesy shuffle with contrasting sections, and an open solo section in which Leibson completely destroys any semblance of form on the Rhodes and Minimoog, only to bring us back to the surface again.

Yi Ku Ghimetn Chim Kidi (I Don’t Know Your True Value) is an arrangement of a piece by Sayat Nova, an 18th century Armenian poet and troubadour. There is a sense of longing and melancholy that is practically built into the melody, and just like the melodies of so many great Armenian composers, it shines on its own. The melody remains true to Sayat Nova’s, with Sarian’s arrangement providing harmonic support moving it forward, emphasizing the sorrow and longing in the composition which bleeds into Leibson’s and Sarian’s solos.  

Sarian does not shy away in his admiration for pioneering trumpeters such as Enrico Rava, and makes note of it on The Pilgrim, dedicated to Rava and named after the trumpeter’s 1975 album ‘The Pilgrim and The Stars’. A nearly seven-minute track of tension building with little release, the seven sixteenth-note pickup to this melody is what gave the piece its start, after Sarian heard Rava play it in his solo on the tune ‘Bella’.  

In 2018, Michael was fortunate enough to perform with his septet at the BRIC JazzFest in Brooklyn, the same night as none other than Meshell Ndegeocello. He was immediately enthralled by her music and spent months listening to her album ‘Weather’, particularly the track Oysters. It would take a few years, but Sarian finally decided to add the tune to his repertoire, wrapping the beautiful melody around an open improvisation section featuring the rhythm section. 

Since setting his septet, The Chabones, aside to focus on working with his quartet, Sarian moved away from incorporating South American rhythms in his music, which was fairly common in his earlier work. Composed during a stay at a friend’s house in Woodstock, NY, Maverick Road sees a return to that 6/8 feel after a soaring intro and broad A section. 

In 2020, Argentine actress, singer, songwriter and creative Belén Pasqualini approached Michael with the idea of collaborating on a piece of music, using her words as a jumping off point for his music. A few months later, Sarian finished working on Cinta Marina. Inspired by William Parker’s work, Sarian chose to maintain a light and minimalist aesthetic, letting the words shine, and giving the vocalist freedom to pace and interpret the story of a young girl’s relationship with the ocean. No doubt an album highlight are special guest Camila Meza’s vocals and guitar playing on this track. 

Written for his brother’s dog Pickle, Picklepuss Romp showcases drummer Nathan Ellman-Bell’s playing throughout. Starting out on a second-line groove in 7, the playful melody twists into an aggressive, off-beat hip hop rhythm before heading into the solo section, where group interplay really shines.  

Before Covid-19 paralyzed the world, one of 2020’s first tragedies moved Sarian to compose what would be the first in this series of tunes. Kobe Bryant’s passing brought out mixed emotions for so many, and so, Regarding Kobe tries to convey an uneasy sadness, but ultimately a sense of calm and comfort, creating a welcoming space for group improvisation. 

Finally, the last track of the album is another dedication, in this case for Sarian’s close friend Max, who passed away in July of 2020. A halftime spiritual/Americana tune with a couple of twists and turns, Leibson introduces the melody, with Sarian, Kenney and Ellman-Bell joining in one by one. Kenney delivers a truly beautiful bass solo, with Sarian’s flugelhorn bringing us home at the end. 

Produced by Michael Sarian, Recorded and mixed by Luis Bacque at Bacque Recording Engineering Studios in Roselle, NJ, Mastered by Dave Darlington at Bass Hit Recording, NYC, Album artwork & design: Jamie Breiwick @ B Side Graphics

NEA Jazz Masters Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves, and Terri Lyne Carrington and Others to Share Jazz Wisdom in FREE Master Class/Workshops

The producers of the inaugural Jazz Music Awards and Jazz 91.9 WCLK will present three dynamic Jazz educational sessions on the campus of the historic Clark Atlanta University on Friday, October 21, 2022, beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET, at the Juanita Baranco Multi-Purpose Room in the Bishop Cornelius Henderson Student Center at 223 James P. Bawley Drive SW, in Atlanta, Georgia. Featuring some of the best-known names in the world of Jazz today – including multiple Grammy Award winners and NEA Jazz Masters Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves, and Terri Lyne Carrington – these educational masterclasses and workshops are free and open to the public and take place the day before the inaugural Jazz Music Awards ceremony.

Other participants are three-time Grammy-nominated artist Jazzmeia Horn and preeminent jazz, gospel, and blues vocalist Lizz Wright, DJ and Grammy-nominated Jazz musician Kassa Overall; award-winning documentary filmmaker, and cultural curator Jason Orr, and percussionist, drummer, and educator Lil’ John Roberts. These sure-to-be enlightening sessions will be moderated by beloved on-air personalities from Jazz 91.9 WCLK and have been programmed to give Jazz fans, young musicians, and casual listeners a window into how and why Jazz is so key to American culture. The sessions and noted panelists are as follows:

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

“MASTERING JAZZ”

Three accomplished women, all of whom are recipients of the NEA Jazz Master title – the highest honor given in Jazz music – team up for this informative and inspiring session. Three-time Grammy-winning drummer, author, and educator Terri Lyne Carrington, Grammy and Tony Award winner Dee Dee Bridgewater, and five-time Grammy Award winner Dianne Reeves will discuss the ins and outs of mastering a successful career and maintaining longevity in the jazz field. Moderated by Debb Moore, host of Jazz 91.9 WCLK’s “Jazz at Sundown” and “Jazz Suite,” the panel guests will offer insights on taking your love for the music and parlaying it into a successful rewarding business career.

10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.

“VOICE IS THE ORIGINAL INSTRUMENT”

Two of the Jazz world’s most dynamic vocal powerhouses, Lizz Wright and Jazzmeia Horn, will discuss the voice as an important instrument in jazz and will share their techniques for boosting projection, improvising, and connecting to the heart of the song. The acclaimed vocalists will exchange views on how to develop a unique style, best practices for maintaining vocal health, and individual pathways for pursuing a musical career. The panel will be moderated by Ms. Rivablue of Jazz 91.9 WCLK’s “Midday Jazz.”

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

“JAZZ AS CULTURAL CURRENCY”

DJ and percussionist Kassa Overall; documentary filmmaker, writer, and festival producer Jason Orr (FunkJazz Kafé Arts & Music Festival and Life Arts Documentary Film Festival + Music Conference); and in-demand drummer Lil’ John Roberts join forces to discuss what’s happening currently in jazz, as well as the future of the art form. The session will examine the history of Jazz and its influence on Black music, from bebop to hip-hop, and will also explore how the vibrancy and cultural currency of Jazz can be maintained for the future. Moderated by Jamal Ahmad, host of the nationally syndicated “Soul of Jazz” on Jazz 91.9 WCLK, this panel will offer fresh insights into the exciting prospects for carrying Jazz further into the 21st Century.

 

New Music Releases: Shirley Murdock, Countdown To Soul 2 – 19 Brilliant Soul, Funk & Jazz Rare Grooves, Doug Stone & Marcelo Magalhães Pinto, Ebi Soda

Shirley Murdock - As We Lay – The Elektra Recordings 1985 to 1991 (Shirley Murdock/Woman's Point Of View/Let There Be Love/bonus tracks) (3CD set)

A trio of classic albums – plus lots of bonus tracks too! First up is the self-titled Shirley Murdock – the breakout album from a singer who first rose to fame working with Roger Troutman and Zapp – and who gets plenty of help here from that side of the soul spectrum too! Roger produced and plays on the record, and also wrote most of the songs too – and Larry Troutman and others provide most of the instrumentation – all with a groove that's as funky and punchy as Zapp at their best – which means that Shirley's got to be one hell of a singer to rise above the basslines, beats, and keyboards! Fortunately, Murdock's got a hell of a lot of power in her voice – which really gets unleashed here in a wonderful way, then spins down for a few great ballads too – all to make a very fully-formed set that's gone onto be one of the mainstream soul classics of the time. Titles include "As We Lay", "Truth Or Dare", "Tribute", "Be Free", "No More", "Go On Without You", "Danger Zone", "Teaser", and "The One I Need" plus extended mixes of "Truth Or Dare", "No More", "Tribute" and remix of "As We Lay". A Woman's Point Of View is a rock-solid set from Shirley Murdock – the kind of material that really helped her define a new role for female soul in the 80s – mature, but down to earth – confident, yet easygoing enough to not seem to fall into cliched poppy roles either! Part of the strength comes from Shirley's continued relationship with Roger Troutman – whose production here draws on both the upbeat and mellow styles he was crafting in his own work – giving the album a sense of cohesion that's very different than some of the multi-producer sets that other singers had at the time. Titles include "Husband", "Found My Way", "If I Know", "I Still Love You", "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going", "Oh What A Feeling", and "A Woman's Point Of View". For Let There Be Love, Shirley Murdock's looking a bit more contemplative on the cover than on previous albums – and that image really sets the tone for the record – which has a nicely maturing sense of songcraft that really makes the most of Murdock's wonderful vocal range! There's definitely a few groovers on the record, but those are balanced with some of the more personal, intimate material that made Shirley such a great force in R&B after the big wave of quiet storm singers in the decade before. Titles include "In Your Eyes", "Save The Children", "Everywhere", "Say It Mean It", "Let There Be Love", "Stay With Me Tonight", and "The Last Hurrah". 3CD set features 10 bonus tracks – including "You Brought The Sunshine", "Oh What A Feeling (ext)", "Husband (single)", "Tribute (ext)", "No More (ext)", "Be Free (sexy sax thang mix)", "Go On Without You (voc ext mix)", "Truth Or Dare (European mix)", and "As We Lay (midnight mix)".~ Dusty Groove

Countdown To Soul 2 – 19 Brilliant Soul, Funk & Jazz Rare Grooves

Heady work from deep deep in the funky 45 underground – raw, gritty, and totally wonderful tracks that are put together at a level that matches the kind of classic funk compilations we first feel in love with back in the day! Sure, there's been plenty of rare tracks unearthed in recent years – but a well-done collection like this can still blow away the occasional sound snippet you might stumble across online – as the overall weight of the package is amazing, and the tracks here all resonate together strongly in a way that they might never have on their own! Tracks include "Love One Another" by Frankie Staton, "Standing On His Word" by Leontine Dupree, "Soul Bagg" by Reno & The Chosen 3, "I'm Satisfied" by Marva Josie, "Hard Times" by McKinley Edmonds, "Mercy Mercy Mercy" by Roy Long, "Tell The Truth" by Shirley Wahls, "He Won't Love You" by Delores Eiler, "I Can't Get Enough" by Dave Stockwell, "You Came A Long Way From St Louis" by 101 Gold Street Band, "Black & White" by Bobbi Lane, and "Snake In The Grass" by Rick Bowen. ~ Dusty Groove

Doug Stone & Marcelo Magalhães Pinto - Shifting Perspectives

The recording project was conceived by Marcelo and Doug to be a musical register where the two genres of contemporary music – Jazz, and Brazilian Music – could share the same space. Thus, the pieces that were written exclusively for this project have distinct features of the national genres of the composers. Doug Stone, for instance, wrote tunes that embrace Bebop, Swing, Free Jazz, Modal Jazz, and Soul. On the other hand, Marcelo Magalhães Pinto wrote tunes that go through a variety of Brazilian styles, such as the Congado, Choro, Baião, and Samba, among others. From the musical perspective, the outcome is extremely interesting because even though the composers had written pieces with genres that are particular to their own countries (Brazil and United States), there are common elements that unified the compositions: the harmonic treatment and the improvisation. The harmony, as a sound architect, weaves the connections among the chords, making the musical elements that go back since Romanticism connect the past with the present. Whereas improvisation acts as a tool of maximal expression in the performance. It is through improvisation that musicians not only express themselves but also talk to each other. Two cats were invited:  the drummer André “Limão” Queiroz, a professor at the UFMG School of Music – who was Marcelo’s colleague during their bachelor’s degree at the same school – and bassist Quinn Sternberg, who has been collaborating with Doug in the US. The album was recorded in New Orleans, LA, where presentations were made that promoted not only this work but also Brazilian and American culture and music.

Ebi Soda - Honk If You're Sad

One of the sharpest groups on the British scene, stepping forth here with maybe their greatest album so far – a record that really blends live jazz musicianship with some of the fuller structures and experiments that marked the London environment a few years back – maybe carried out here by Ebi Soda at a level that certainly makes puts them at the front of the pack! There's a blend of keyboards and live drums here that's totally great – topped with trombone and guitar solos, with lots of added guest work along the way – on tenor, alto, trumpet, and other instruments – all instrumental, but full of color, life, and some of the more triumphantly righteous currents that the group shares with their contemporaries. Titles include "Listen King", "Giraffe Bread", "Chandler", "Soft Peng", "Yoshi Orange", "Tang Of The Zest", "My Man From College", and "Christmas Lights In June". ~ Dusty Groove

New Music Releases: Ray, Goodman & Brown, Cecil Alexander, Anthony Braxton & James Fei, Billy Drummond & Freedom Of Ideas

Ray, Goodman & Brown - Take It To The Limit

An obscure mid 80s session from the former members of The Moments – recorded with a style that's a bit more electric and a bit more mellow than before – but which really lets their wonderful vocals still take center stage! The style here is almost in a smooth steppers mode, but the rhythms are sometimes more complicated – and although the electric keys and beats sometimes get in the way of the great harmonies we know the trio is capable of, there's still a fair bit more depth and soul going on here than most other mainstream soul of the period. Titles include "Celebrate Our Love", "Take It To The Limit", "Let's Make Love Tonight", "Why Must I Wait", "Waiting For Dawn", "We've Got Tonight", and "Someone's Missing Your Love". ~ Dusty Groove

Cecil Alexander - Introducing Cecil Alexander

Guitarist Cecil Alexander has a nice light touch here – not loose, but with a freely chromatic sort of vibe that really has his strings opening up with a heck of a lot of colors and brightness – set up next to the Hammond B3 of Will Gorman and drums of Steven Crammer! With that quality, the record's a bit different than most other organ/guitar trio sessions – in that the guitar is definitely first, and really setting the tune – never too overwhelmed by the Hammond, but nicely inspired by its actions to take flight, especially on some of Alexander's original tunes. Titles include a great reading of the Bobby Hutcherson classic "Till Then" – plus originals "Captain Bailey", "Bright Green", "Shug", "9th Round", "Talk Shop", and "Nansen". ~ Dusty Groove

Anthony Braxton & James Fei - Duet

Saxophonist Anthony Braxton has recorded famous duets with electronic musicians over the years – but here, Braxton handles the electronics himself, while also blowing a variety of saxes – as does his musical partner James Fei! The set features one long piece, recorded live in San Francisco – a performance of Braxton's "Composition 429", which, as with most of his creations, is more of a springboard for improvisation than a set of notes guiding the performers – which leaves both musicians plenty of space to really open up in all these amazing ways, often with a sense of harmony that makes for a really organic sense of creation! ~ Dusty Groove

Billy Drummond & Freedom Of Ideas - Valse Sinistre

A roaring quartet session from drummer Billy Drummond – one that starts with a great take on one of our favorite Jackie McLean tunes of all time, then continues to soar through a fantastic batch of material! Drummond is perfectly matched with drummer Dezron Douglas, and the two seem to pulsate as one – with Douglas' warmth bringing even more to Billy's drums than usual – cut through by the sharper saxophone lines of Dayna Stephens, as he mixes fire and soul – and punctuated in all the right ways by pianist Micah Thomas. This isn't a standard quartet session at all, and we mean that in the best way possible – as the group makes their way through tunes that include "Little Melonae", "Reconfirmed", "Clara's Room", "Valse Sinestre", "Never Ends", "Frankenstein", and "Changes For Trane & Monk". ~ Dusty Groove

Anat Cohen | "Quartetinho"

Having explored the world of larger ensemble writing and performance with the acclaimed Anat Cohen Tentet (Happy Song, Triple Helix), GRAMMY-nominated multireedist and composer Anat Cohen (“bringing the clarinet to the world” — Terry Gross, Fresh Air) shifts her focus to a smaller, more intimate group sound on her newest release, the endlessly colorful Quartetinho (pronounced “quar-te-CHIN-yo,” i.e., little quartet). The group’s New York-based players, all drawn from the ranks of the Tentet, hail from different corners of the globe: Cohen and bassist Tal Mashiach from Israel, pianist/accordionist Vitor Gonçalves from Rio de Janeiro, and vibraphonist/percussionist James Shipp from the United States. What they share is a deep love for music in all its heterogeneity. It’s all amply documented on Quartetinho, which includes originals by Cohen, Mashiach and Shipp along with material by the great masters Antonio Carlos Jobim, Egberto Gismonti and more. 

The result is boundlessly melodic and lyrical, with a wide array of timbres and subtle details of orchestration. In most cases all four players created arrangements together as a group, and each brings to the encounter their respective gifts on multiple instruments. Cohen, full of “liquid dexterity and authentic feeling” [Ira Gitler], plays clarinet and also layers bass clarinet lines and doubles melodies, lending a rich and earthy low-register tone to the mix. Gonçalves, on acoustic piano as well as Rhodes, is equally fluent on accordion for Mashiach’s melancholy “The Old Guitar” and Cohen’s soulful bass clarinet-centered arrangement of “Going Home,” an excerpt from Dvořák’s New World Symphony that has become a folk song of its own (and a fitting one here, given the Czech composer’s prescient, broadminded view of music from the Americas). Mashiach steps away from bass to play acoustic guitar on his introspective closing piece “Vivi & Zaco” (with touches of Gonçalves’ accordion as well). And Shipp, whose “Baroquen Spirit” opens the album in a rubato chamber-like vein with glimmers of fleeting dissonance, contributes varied percussion as well as harmonically expansive vibraphone.

 

Cohen’s originals run the gamut from the dark Rhodes-infused 6/4 of “Birdie” to the joyous second-line blues of “Louisiana,” with the moody dreamscape “Canon” serving as a kind of interlude. The group collaborated on arrangements of Jobim’s “O Boto” and two by Gismonti, the blazingly fast showstopper “Frevo” and the soaring “Palhaço,” with vibrant solos from Cohen, Gonçalves on piano and Shipp on vibes. Shipp brought in a delightfully unusual item, “Boa Tarde Povo,” which he first heard performed by the singer Maria do Carmo Barbosa de Melo and associates on a compilation called Música Do Brasil. The funky rhythm, according to Shipp, bears a resemblance to baião beats common to the forró and cocó genres, although the specific pattern is elusive, suggestive of a style with many variations between Bahia and Pernambuco.

The first Quartetinho live gig took place on March 7, 2020 at the Miller Theatre of Columbia University; on March 8 the Miller shut down, quickly followed by much of the US and the world. “A year and a half later we finally got into the studio to record,” Cohen says. “It took a minute, but this is just a beginning. I always encourage the band members to write. My next idea is to go somewhere and spend two weeks writing music together for our next project, bringing all our influences to bear in a non-genre-specific way. Our mix of influences and the enthusiasm and will to collaborate and rehearse is not so often found. It’s exciting to find people who really want to get together and play. No matter what we’re working on we always come up with ideas, try things, and we’re all multi-instrumentalists so there’s always a lot of choices we get to make. This kind of ‘writing camp’ would be a great experience and something I haven’t done before.” 

Quartetinho is the latest in a series of Brazilian music outings that have come to constitute a major element in Cohen’s body of work. She has made two duo albums with seven-string guitarist Marcello Gonçalves (no relation to Vitor), Outra Coisa: The Music of Moacir Santos (2017) and Reconvexo (2021). She also joined Trio Brasileiro (percussionist Alexandre Lora, guitarist Douglas Lora, mandolinist Dudu Maia) on the 2017 Anzic release Rosa Dos Ventos. These projects were recorded in Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia and received GRAMMY nominations for Best World Music Album (Outra Coisa) and Best Latin Jazz Album (Rosa Dos Ventos). Cohen has also worked in the Choro Ensemble, Duduka Da Fonseca’s Samba Jazz Quintet and Cyro Batista’s Beat the Donkey.

Incognito 2022-23 Tour Dates

• Fri, October 28 - Jazzy & Jazzpiknik @MOMKULT, Budapest, Hungary 
• Sat, November 12 - 20 Years of MSF Closing Party, Margate UK 
• Sat, December 3 - Banco Mediolanum Festival Mil·lenni, Barcelona, Spain 
• Thu, December 8 - Blue Note Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
• Fri, December 9 - Blue Note Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
• Sat, December 10 - Blue Note Tokyo All-Star Jazz Orchestra directed by ERIC MIYASHIRO plays Music of INCOGNITO with special guest Bluey - Blue Note Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
• Sun, December 11 - Blue Note Tokyo All-Star Jazz Orchestra directed by ERIC MIYASHIRO plays Music of INCOGNITO with special guest Bluey - Takasaki City Theatre, Japan
• Mon, December 12 - Cotton Club, Tokyo, Japan
• Tue, December 13 - Cotton Club, Tokyo, Japan
• Wed, December 14 - "Return of The Groove" - Yebisu Garden Hall, Tokyo, Japan
• Thu, January 26, 2023 - Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, London, UK
• Fri, January 27, 2023 - Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, London, UK
• Sat, January 28, 2023 - Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, London, UK
• Sun, January 29, 2023 - Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, Londoon, UK
• Mon, January 30, 2023 - Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, London, UK
• Tue, January 31, 2023 - Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, London, UK
• Fri, June 2, 2023 – Smooth Nights @Koko Booth Amphitheatre, Cary, NC
• Fri, June 9, 2023 – Knight Theatre, Charlotte, NC

New Music Releases: Opaz 30, Bobby Oroza, Collettivo Immaginario, Sharon Benson

Opaz – 30 – Various Artists 

Opaz celebrates 30 years in urban music with a compilation featuring some of their most sought after tracks. Featuring Martine Girault, Mica Paris, Maysa Leak, Cartier Fraser, Imaani, Natasha Campbel, Patrick Jean-Paul-Denis, George Howard, Mary Jane and Ray Hayden. The compilation will be supported with a month advertising on Solar radio, as well as a two hour show featuring Ray’s Productions, remixes and songwriting for the likes of Will Smith, Marvin Gaye, Omar, Mary J Blige, Incognito, Tyrese, Sade, Swing Out Sister, Guru and artists from the label. We expect some support from online magazines and soul music sites. Opaz has a FB promo page with 294 DJ’s and taste makers from around the world who support the label and have contributed to the 1.2 million streams on average a year.

Bobby Oroza - Get On The Otherside Instrumentals

Bobby Oroza and Cold Diamond & Mink treat us to the instrumental version of their latest album Get On The Otherside. Bobby Oroza put his desire for the profound on wax with his sophomore album Get On The Otherside. Musically, he updated the formula we were introduced to on the first record. But lyrically, songs are bravely rooted in the more complicated, ubiquitous inner tangles of life like self-examination and coming to terms with the vastness of the human experience. This limited edition pressing is a chance to enjoy the musicianship and production prowess of the crew without the lyrics giving it a whole other level if vibe to take in.

Collettivo Immaginario - Trasforma

Collettivo Immaginario invites listeners on a glittering journey of cosmic escapism with the release of Trasforma, their debut album out September 23 on LA-based label, Domanda Music. The instrumental collective was founded in Northern Italy by drummer Tommaso Cappellato, bass player Nicolò Masetto and pianist Alberto Lincetto as a creative laboratory in which to explore the worldly musical influences that inspired them. Through experimentation that draw on the traditions of eclectic jazz, funk and electronica, Trasforma distills the ebullient energy of the trio’s acclaimed live performances into a lush and cinematic studio album, subtly paying homage to genre-bending giants such as Azymuth, Lonnie Liston Smith, Herbie Hancock and Italian film composers Piero Piccioni and Piero Umiliani.

Sharon Benson - Sunshine

Sharon Benson’s lost album Sunshine was originally unearthed by P-vine in 2015 having gathered dust on Polydor shelves since the early 90s. In 1992, following in the footsteps of the lead single release of which the album shares its name, plans to release the original ten track album grew increasingly unlikely, and eventually the project was abandoned. The London-based singer would later return in 1995 for a fresh set of songs on a self-titled album before returning to acting and signing in the West End, but the mystery of Sunshine would linger. Uncovered and unwrapped, it’s easy to see why. Upon playing, it’s an album that immediately brushes aside its neglected state, and launches into some of the most slick and sweet sounding R&B and new jack swing at the turn of the decade. P-vine is excited to be reissuing the album on LP for the first time.

Cosmic Renaissance | "Universal Language"

Gianluca Petrella is one of the most internationally renowned Italian musician, composer and producer, winner of the Down Beat Critics Poll in the “Rising Stars” category for two years in a row.

Cosmic Renaissance is a music collective led by Gianluca with Mirco Rubegni (trumpet), Riccardo Di Vinci (electric bass, double bass), Simone Padovani (percussion) and Federico Scettri (drums, samplers), with Soweto Kinch (vocals and tenor sax) as special guest among others. Cosmic Renaissance’s aim is to write and play music that actually starts from jazz and reaches new heights and music genres, in the name of unity, discovery, connection, understanding and other beautiful things that make us human. Try to imagine all this into music, and you’ll have an idea of how “Universal Language” really sounds!

“Mermaids really do exist. A few days ago, I came across the fantastic story of the Ama, literally the women of the sea. They live in Toba Bay, Japan, and have a long-established tradition that has been passed on from one generation to another for more than two thousand years. What do they do? They jump into the sea to fish for seaweed, octopus and, above all, for pearls. They are the real pearl fisherwomen. Counting solely on the strength of their lungs, they can reach depths of up to 20 meters.

When they ascend, their hyperventilating lungs emit a kind of whistle that resembles the cry of dolphins. Or more precisely, the singing of mermaids. When they are not diving, they train and help each other, passing on practices and secrets, confiding in one another to stay united. And they are cohesive, never envious of one another, just a great sense of belonging.

With his new work,  Gianluca Petrella seems to have drawn from this ancient tradition, made up of memories and traces. He went deep and searched the remotest memories and ancestral sounds of streets, eras and styles. With his curiosity and appreciation he has connected times and places afar, joining the dots with his contemporary gaze.  And like the Ama divers Gianluca is also surrounded by a community of musicians, fellow explorers with whom he can share a unique dimension.

‘Anyone who doesn't get along with musicians has an unresolved problem,' he tells me.  And that's why he’s particularly vocal about each of the five well-known members of his Cosmic Band and the many valuable guests who contributed to ‘Universal Language’. With their instruments, they generated a language that connects past and present, threading a continuous dialogue between generations.

A truly collective effort, all have striven in bringing ‘Universal Language’ to life, all deserve full praise, none excluded.

If you think you are just listening to jazz, you are sadly mistaken. There are dreamlike appearances, escapism; a celebration of life. A deep dive into the heart of music and its many languages. A real conversation about words, memory, and staying true to oneself. But it is also a work on how complicated it is to come to terms with identity, and Gianluca rewrites this identity in his own way. A work made of whispers, murmurs, in which music and language try to meet in new ways. A journey that takes us down into the abyss of the sea and up to the sky".

(from Federico Scoppio's liner notes)

The Headhunters - Speakers In The House

The Headhunters To Release New Album 'Speakers In The House' - First Single "Rocking At The Mole House" Out Now

The Headhunters have released "Rocking At The Mole House", the first single from the legendary jazz-funk quintet's forthcoming album, Speakers In The House, out November 4 on Ropeadope Records. Opening with a New Orleans press roll beat, which nods to the home of four of the five current band members, it quickly transitions to the signature funk synths and alto sax lines that the band has been revered for going on nearly 50 years.

"Rocking At The Mole House" takes its title from the nickname for the childhood home of Mike Clark, drummer and co-leader of The Headhunters, as it rapidly rotates between his tight kit work and co-leader Bill Summers' assortment of African, Cuban and Haitian percussion. Adding to the dizzying layers of arabesque melodies is NEA Jazz Master Donald Harrison on alto saxophone and digital programming added by producer One Drop Scott aka Scott Roberts, a collaborator of Summers since the late-70s, as well as Wayne Shorter and Charlie Hunter. Beyond the infectiously complex and funky arrangement, Clark’s drum solo around the three minute mark is hypnotic and bullseye precise.

The Headhunters forthcoming full-length studio album, Speakers In The House, is the first new music from the band in eleven years. The eight track collection features the core quintet comprised by percussionist Bill Summers, drummer Mike Clark, saxophonist Donald Harrison, keyboardist Stephen Gordon and bassist Reggie Washington along with special guests Jerry Z on organ, Scott Roberts on drums, Fode Sissoko on Kora and Ashlin Parker on trumpet. The Headhunters spirit is alive and well as the band approaches its 50th anniversary since forming around Herbie Hancock's classic album, Head Hunters, released in 1973.

"What Bill and I and The Headhunters do is experience the moment and explore," explains Mike Clark. "We're not in a gym, this isn't a competition. This is art. We’re in that moment and there is no other. The Headhunters is an act of passion, of love for humanity, and for our planet."

"We live this every day. We have some secrets to give to the youth of the world. We’re not musicians, we are physicians. We heal people," adds Bill Summers. "We've always made a statement as The Headhunters. Every time we've dropped notes on wax, it's had value and the ability to positively influence people and change lives."

Jeremy Sean Hector | "Night Flight"

The most captivating music takes the listener on a journey that has a specific melody but inspires every individual to imagine their own visuals and make their own connection to the song. Rising Caribbean-Canadian Smooth Jazz guitarist Jeremy Sean Hector has plotted an exquisite musical path that will lift you up to the stars with his latest composition, “Night Flight” – available now.

Melding the lighter-than-air freedom of flying with the evocative mystery of our world after dark, “Night Flight” is a soulful and scintillating trip into the atmosphere, with a brilliant guitarist and his band as your guides.

“‘Night Flight’ is the kind of song that seems to come alive at night,” notes Hector. “With an air of wonder and anticipation, this song just wants to take you on a pleasant trip.”

After two-plus years filled mostly with uncertainty and isolation, a pleasant trip sounds about right, right now for many of us. With “Night Flight”, Hector and his soothing, melodically and technically masterful guitar riffs are ready to oblige as they float over a soulful soundscape of pulsating bass, gently propelling drums, and vibe-setting keyboards with a whole city of light and dark laid out below like a twinkling star field.

“I think of it as the perfect soundtrack for a nighttime cruise through scenic places or drifting away on the waves of a sweet dream.”

Helping Hector create that sumptuous soundtrack for “Night Flight” is Eddie Bullen on keyboards, Otis Willams on drums, and bassist Eric Lyons. Other stellar musicians contributing to Hector’s new recordings are bass guitarists Mo Pleasure, Andrew Stewart and Keane Jules, drummers Larnell Lewis and William Laurencin, Isaac Agerman and Michael Arthurs on saxophone, Alexis Baro on trumpet, and Meirion Kelly on trombone.

Jeremy Sean Hector’s upcoming album “Light After Dark” marks his second time partnering with Billboard charting producer and pianist Eddie Bullen and is set for release on November 18 via Thunder Dome Sounds through Slammin Media and distributed worldwide by Believe Distribution. With all compositions written by Hector, the new album is a collection of musical ideas that came to life for the artist over the course of our global pandemic. While humanity at large was isolating and keeping a distance from others, Hector was spending that insular time exploring a variety of human themes from joy and pain to uncertainty and hope.

“I feel like in some way we can all relate to these emotions as we navigate these times,” offers Hector. “The beauty of music for me is being able to capture the sound of moments as they are felt.”

It may be reflective of the times we’ve been living through, but “Light After Dark” also finds its hopeful center in those moments Hector captured looking toward brighter days ahead. Songs like “Joy of Life”, “Guiding Light”, & “Redemption” are all examples of that anticipation of better times. “Night Flight” is another with its inherent driving momentum of both melody and groove giving off the feeling of moving forward to something, or someplace good.

“Light After Dark ” is following up the notable success of Hector’s debut album “Ascension”, released in 2019. That album’s key single “Spray Bay” has racked up well over 4 million streams since then via Spotify alone. That bodes exceptionally well for the upcoming sophomore release for the Caribbean-born, Toronto-based artist whose gorgeously melodic guitar playing has been described as having a vocal quality.

Born on the Caribbean Island of Grenada in 1990, Hector’s own musical journey began with classical piano lessons at age 7. However, it would be the guitar that would unlock his true passion for music. Hector studied for a few years with his guitarist father Jude, who exposed his son to a wide variety of musical genres as he grew up. Hector also followed the path of higher education, earning his Masters Degree in Psychology after studies on the islands of Barbados and Jamaica. While achieving this academic milestone, Hector never let his passion for music fade, having had the privilege to keep working throughout his university years with amazing musicians who showed him the possibility of a career in music. Hector chose to follow his heart’s artistic desires and has since had the honour of sharing the stage with internationally renowned artists such as Arturo Tappin, Eddie Bullen, Ronald “boo” Hinkson, Larnell Lewis, and the British Collective.

With a solidly successful debut album behind him and a much-anticipated second album on the way, the runway is clear for career take-off for Jeremy Sean Hector, and “Night Flight” will certainly help carry it skyward.

The single “Night Flight” is available now everywhere and the new album “Light After Dark” will be released on November 18, 2022.

Marilyn Mazur's Shamania | "Rerooting"

Her collaborations with Miles Davis, Gil Evans and Wayne Shorter established her worldwide reputation in the mid to late 1980s, as did her later career with Jan Garbarek. But even before that, drummer and composer Marilyn Mazur had realized significant projects of her own. Her Primi Band, an experimental music theater group that existed from 1978 to 1986, left such a lasting impression that the Copenhagen Jazz Festival wanted to revive the group four decades later. Unfortunately, that was not possible, but the evocative spirit of that band has been let out of the bottle again with a new project.

Shamania is the name of the band Marilyn formed in 2015. Their shamanic spirit is based on the idea of a modern tribal gathering of female musical forces, focused entirely on rhythm, body and voice in an experimental context and the challenge of finding common ground.

The ten women of Shamania are among the most independent musicians on the Scandinavian scene, living in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. When they come together, their tremendous energy brings original power and fascinating rhythms to the stage, enchanting the listener with atmospheric moods and moments of pure wonder. They have now captured these very qualities on their second album: REROOTING brings together 16 songs, a combination of Marilyn's brand new and older compositions, all but one of which were previously unreleased.

Each of these songs has its own story, such as "Drungudans", composed for Marilyn's son Fabian to entertain him when he was a baby, or "Solnedgangskanon", the sunset canon that illuminates the world situation. "The Birds Are Early Out" is an old poem by Marilyn about the long, Nordic nights and the birds that start singing even before you've gone to bed. "Virtual Towers" was written on April 1, 2021 (April Fool's Day), with the desire to finally make music together with friends again after a long separation. "Shadow Tune" was also written in the sign of the pandemic and the worries it brings. And so was "Rerooting", the title song, written during the first reunion of Shamania musicians after self-isolation due to the pandemic and many concert cancellations.

From the waterphone, which combines the principles of the Tibetan water drum, the African lamellophone and the 18th century nail fiddle to Udu clay pot drums, various bongos, congas, the kalimba, drums and tuned gongs from all over the world, to the Norwegian goat horn: the extraordinary richness of timbres, together with the other instruments, shapes the songs, shines and radiates from them, results in the unmistakable Shamania sound and, together with the brilliant rhythms, forms the trademark of Marilyn Mazur: music that often seems ritualistic, with an unerring sense for outstanding dialogues, solos and improvisations - as well as an energetic elemental power and the great musician's very personal musical language that reaches far beyond jazz.  

New Music Releases: Miles Davis, Bobby Broom, Gregory Tardy, Charles Lloyd

Miles Davis - That's What Happened 1982 to 1985 – Bootleg Series Vol 7 (3CD set)

A great look at the fresh energy that Miles Davis was bringing to his music in the 80s – and a set that's nicely different than some of the other albums issued in the "bootleg" series – in that two thirds of the collection features unissued studio material from the dates in the title! Those tracks are great – numbers that were recorded in the same sessions that gave the world the records Decoy, Star People, and You're Under Arrest – with work from players who include John Scofield and Mike Stern on guitars, Robert Irving III on keyboards, Bill Evans on tenor and soprano saxes, and the great Al Foster on drums. Miles even plays a bit of keyboards himself, but is also really focusing strong energy on his trumpet lines – more tightness than some of his 70s material, but not in a way that's slick or commercial either – still plenty of bite throughout. Studio titles include "Celestial Blues", "Minor Ninths", "Santana", "Freaky Deaky", "Hopscotch", "Never Loved Like This", and some alternates of Miles' versions of "Human Nature" and "Time After Time". The third component of the set is the Montreal 7/7/83 performance – early 80s live work from Miles Davis – done at a level that's a nice change from some of his studio work of the time! If you've ever heard Miles in a live setting like this from the decade, you know that such recordings are a great reminder of the way he can really deliver an extended solo with plenty of spirit and imagination – stretching out here on long tracks with a group that also features lots of great work from John Scofield on guitar, and up and coming saxophonist Bill Evans – who plays soprano, tenor, and flute! Miles also plays a bit of keyboards, and the rest of the group features Darryl Jones on bass, Al Foster on drums, and Mino Cinelu on percussion – on titles that include "Star On Cicely", "Hopscotch", "What It Is", "It Gets Better", "Speak", "Code 3", "Jean Pierre", "Star People", and "Creepin In". ~ Dusty Groove

Bobby Broom - Keyed Up

The great guitarist Bobby Broom pays tribute to piano giants of the past – something you might guess from the album's title, and an aspect of the record that's really enforced by the work of pianist Justin Dillard in the group! Unlike some of Broom's trio set, this one's a nicely four-pointed record – still full of those warm chromes that we love so much from Bobby's handling of the guitar, but also given a nice sort of balance with Dillard's acoustic work on the piano – in a quartet that also features Dennis Carrol on bass and Kobie Watkins on drums. Titles include "Second Thoughts", "Hallucinations", "Scoochie", "Blues On The Corner", "Driftin", "Quicksilver", and "Misty". ~ Dusty Groove

Gregory Tardy - Sufficient Grace

There's way more than sufficient grace going on here – and a strongly soulful swing that really has the whole album coming together, right on the money! Maybe that's no surprise, though, given that the set's issued on the excellent WJ3 label from Willie Jones III, who plays drums at the core of the record, next to the bass of Sean Conly – while Tardy carves out all these wonderfully fluid, feeling lines next to the trumpet of Marcus Printup – who himself sounds better than usual, and makes for a perfect fit for Tardy. Keith Brown handles piano on the quintet session, all tunes are Tardy originals, and titles include "Tree & Its Fruit", "I Choose You", "For Deacon Rock", "The Omnipresent Cardiologist", "Janel's Love Song", and "Nick Hoot".  ~ Dusty Groove

Charles Lloyd Trios – Ocean

Maybe the most spiritual of the three albums recorded as part of the great Trios project from reedman Charles Lloyd – a set that was recorded at the legendary Lobero theater in Santa Barbara, but without an audience in place – which makes for a beautiful mix of wide space and intimate interplay! Lloyd is wonderful on reeds, especially flute – and the group also features Gerald Clayton on piano and Anthony Wilson on guitar – stretching out with Charles on these long tracks that allow for both exploratory solos, and this very easygoing interplay between the musicians. Tracks include "Jaramillo Blues", "Isa Wind", "Hagar & The Inuits", and "The Lonely One".  ~ Dusty Groove

Kim Waters | "That Special Touch"

Chart-Topping Saxman Kim Waters Celebrates 35 Yrs of Recording w/25th Solo album

In a world where we are all multi-tasking, overbooked and moving at maximum speed, the intimate quiet moments and thoughtful gestures from the ones we love, are what makes life worth living. The hit-making and chart-topping saxophonist Kim Waters, dubbed “Simply one of the planet’s best saxophonists” by JazzTimes Magazine, offers the perfect oasis from life’s frenetic pace on his 25th recording That Special Touch. Known for crafting irresistible melodies, insatiable grooves and undeniable hooks, Waters’ signature sound combines the best elements of Jazz, R&B, Blues and Pop. The saxophonist has made it a trademark to harness the spirit of love in all of his recordings. “I think that everybody needs love. It’s something for certain that in today's world, we need more of and if we had more of it, the world would be a better place,” explains Waters. “A lot of artists that I have admired have made their careers off of love like Babyface, Barry White and Marvin Gaye. You can't go wrong with love.”  

That Special Touch opens with the album’s first single, the elegant and jubilant “Joy Dance.” Waters’ agile and emotive horn seduces with his flawless tone and smooth melodic flow. The winning number calls to mind Lionel Richie’s timeless “Love Will Find A Way.” The funky and trippy club vibe of “House Call” hypnotizes with its pulsating groove and bluesy edge.  Although the album features mostly originals, Waters reimagines two well-known songs. He delivers his own stunning take on Adele’s #1 anthem “Easy On Me.”  “This Adele song is such a great tune and when I first heard it, I immediately thought to myself that it is the perfect song for the saxophone. It’s simple but yet it catches you right off the top.”  Waters also reinvents R&B singer Joe’s “If I Were Your Man,” featuring singer Raynard Gibson. “I have met Joe and I have been a fan of his forever,” confesses Waters. “I wanted to put my spin one of his songs and this one was perfect.”

“Making this album was a bit different this time around,” shares Waters. I recorded at my home in Alpharetta, GA and instead of going straight into the studio, I did all of the writing at the piano downstairs in my piano lounge. Once I had composed all the songs, I went upstairs to my real studio to record.” The album’s title track is a special in more ways than one. Not only is it a standout on the album but it also joins Waters with one of his greatest loves, one of his twin daughters, pianist Kayla Waters.  “I never persuaded Kayla to go into music. She took on the piano when she was 11 months old and by the time she was five or six, I was like ‘Wait a minute, she's got something here!,” reflects Kim. “It is absolutely amazing to have the opportunity to perform with my daughter in concerts and then have the chance to play a duet with her on this record. It was incredible to watch her do the piano parts. She is so critical about everything she does which I appreciate. It's a great attribute that will be useful throughout her career and give her longevity.” That Special Touch also features “Get Your Groove On.” As the title suggests, it is a straight-up dance number reminiscent of the New Jack Swing Era  a la “Groove Me’ and “Don’t Be Cruel.”  The original “Listen To Your Heart,” is a gorgeous danceable uplifting number while the scintillating “Morning Sunrise” is a shimmering meditative beauty. “The Flamenco-tinged “Breathless” shines a light on Waters inviting soprano while “Pathway to Love” is the perfect closer for Kim Waters’ loving offering to his devoted fans.

With a career that has spanned close to four decades, the indefatigable Kim Waters is still inspired. “I have been recording for 35 years and I love it.  It's my passion and it is all that I've ever done. There are so many great young guns coming along that I have to stay at the top of my game! I am blessed that I was trained on the straight ahead side of things which gave me a great foundation.” Waters’ keen harmonic sense, tasteful and soulful phrasing and fluid melodic sensibilities have made him one the premiere architects of Contemporary Jazz. The Maryland born Renaissance man was inspired early on in his career by such Jazz luminaries as Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock, George Duke, George Benson, Grover Washington Jr., and Cannonball Adderley. Waters picked up his first instrument, the violin, at the age of eight.  "That didn't go over well with the fellas," says Waters, who later found his calling on the alto and soprano saxophones at 13. Shortly afterwards he began playing in a band with his brothers, James (who he still performs with) and Eric, and his old friend, pianist Cyrus Chestnut. Over the years, Kim Waters has been called on to perform with or open shows for the best including Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Phyllis Hyman, Teddy Riley and Guy, and Gerald Albright to name a few.  

Kim Waters exudes a knowing confidence and cool calm. When the suave and debonair saxophonist is not making music, he enjoys riding his electric bikes and walking three to four miles a day. He says it is a spiritual thing. “It helps me clear my head and it gives me a chance to talk with myself and keep my mind off the music which is a really hard thing to do when you are always thinking about it!” Waters has learned a thing or two about life from his grandmother that keeps his life and music in focus. “My grandmother used to always say that getting upset and stressing about things won't change anything. I have learned that you just have to stay even keel and let things work themselves out.” Kim Waters’ steadfast approach has carried him to the top of the charts more than a few times and into the hearts of music fans all around the world. “My fans, friends and family inspire me to be the best I can be. It makes me smile when I hear and see people happy because of my music!!! That's what it’s all about,” concludes Waters. 

Tagua Tagua | "Tanto"

Brazilian singer-songwriter Tagua Tagua, aka Felipe Puperi, joins the Wonderwheel Recordings family with the first single from his upcoming sophomore album. “Tanto” - which means “so much” in Portuguese, and also gives the album its name - is a song about falling deeply in love, and being overwhelmed; the song introduces the message and meaning of the rest of the album, like a Shakespearean prologue. 

Filled with emotion (even for those who may not understand the Portuguese lyrics), Felipe sings in a melismatic tenor, at times tipping into falsetto, with subtle effects enriching his delivery. Accompanying the vocals are a soft drum line (played by Leo Mattos), guitar, bass, keys, and organ (played by Felipe and the multi-instrumentalist JoJo). The plucked guitar line and held electric piano chords give an open, sparse spaciness to the verses, while the chorus builds with a swelling organ sound that beckons the rest of the band in. Although “Tanto” runs just three and a half minutes, the beautiful and sticky melody will inevitably stay with you for much longer. 

Based in São Paulo and formed in 2017, Tagua Tagua is headed by singer-songwriter and producer Felipe Puperi. Felipe, having fronted Wannabe Jalva for several years, has an extensive musical resumé, having played at Lollapalooza Brazil, supported shows for Pearl Jam and Jack White, and received support from KCRW, NY Times, Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan and WFUV. As Tagua Tagua, Felipe has made a name for himself as one of the most promising acts in Brazilian music today, receiving attention not just in his home country, but around the world as well, having been featured on NPR and Remezcla, EA’s FIFA 20, and toured as a supporting act for The Growlers. 

After two released EPs, “Tombamento Inevitável” (2017) and “Pedaço Vivo” (2018), Tagua Tagua released their first LP, “Inteiro Metade” in 2020. The album intertwines tropical psychedelia, the principles of Yé-Yé, and the influence of Funk and Soul figures. Dominated by supple melodies and dreamlike timbres, all songs were written and recorded by Felipe himself, mixed by fellow Wannabe Jalva bandmember Tiago Abrahão, and mastered by Brian Lucey (The Black Keys, Chet Faker). Recently, Tagua Tagua toured Europe and played several shows at SXSW and along the West coast in the US. 

Jussi Reijonen | "Three Seconds | Kolme Toista"

Guitarist, oud player and composer Jussi Reijonen delivers a stirring, cathartic suite of music on his long-awaited second album. Three Seconds | Kolme Toista brings together an all-star international ensemble for Reijonen’s ambitious and heartfelt project

Finnish-born guitarist, oud player and composer Jussi Reijonen has lived in Finland, Jordan, Tanzania, Oman, Lebanon and the United States, soaking up the sounds, sights, scents and shades of Nordic, Middle Eastern, African and American cultures. These influences combine in Three Seconds | Kolme Toista, the long-awaited follow-up to his acclaimed 2013 debut, un. On this remarkable and ambitious new recording, Reijonen delivers an epic transcultural suite that feels as deeply personal as it is expansive and far-reaching.

The album convenes a 9-piece ensemble of international artists with roots stretching to points and traditions across the globe. Joining fretted/fretless guitarist, oud player and composer Reijonen are American trumpeter Jason Palmer, drummer Vancil Cooper and bassist Kyle Miles; Turkish trombonist Bulut Gülen and microtonal pianist Utar Artun; Jordanian/Iraqi violinist Layth Sidiq; Palestinian cellist Naseem Alatrash; and Japanese percussionist Keita Ogawa. It’s a remarkable group of singular musicians who internalize and bring to life Reijonen’s emotionally resonant and compositionally breathtaking five-movement suite. They express his vision with dedication and sensitivity, channeling Reijonen’s synthesis of influences including the Finnish Arctic’s open spaces and silences, Arabic maqamat, the rich rhythms of Africa and the improvisatory spirit at the heart of American jazz into a sound entirely its own.  

During the decade between his two albums, Reijonen grappled with a creative block that saw him engaging in deep personal reflection and a journey to reclaim his voice that involved recognizing and disassembling old patterns, and confronting the complexities of growing up in vastly different cultures. Within the forced solitude brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Reijonen found the time and space to revisit old ideas, develop new ones and feel the music begin to flow. With it came a clarity of vision that reverberates throughout Three Seconds, weaving a story both profoundly individual and utterly human through inspirationally crafted notes and sound.

As Reijonen unpacks, unravels and transcends the interlaced cultural threads within his experience, he builds a sonic world of broad and beautiful proportions. The dynamic interplay of the Finnish, Jordanian, Tanzanian, Omani, Lebanese and American cultures in which he grew up and lived, the ever-present feeling of being welcomed yet never truly belonging, the longing to understand his own identity within this complex and wondrous multicultural and multilingual context, and the disorienting effect of their transient existence on his familial relationships are expressed, explored and stunningly resolved in Reijonen’s transcendent suite.

The album’s title, Three Seconds or Kolme Toista in Finnish, reflects an encounter between three strangers or “others.” For Reijonen, the meaning expanded to include the revelatory experience of suddenly seeing what had previously been unseen, a vision of distinctly different designs merging into kaleidoscopic unity, achieving symbiosis while simultaneously maintaining their uniqueness.

The international all-star ensemble boasts a range of credits including work with Roy Haynes, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and Ravi Coltrane (Palmer); Dianne Reeves, Kurt Elling and Christian Scott (Gülen); Simon Shaheen, Jack DeJohnette, and Danilo Perez (Sidiq); Turtle Island Quartet, Terence Blanchard and Ron Carter (Alatrash); Bobby McFerrin, Maria Schneider and Rudresh Mahanthappa (Artun); Terri Lyne Carrington and Angelique Kidjo (Miles); Snarky Puppy and Yo-Yo Ma (Ogawa); and Queen Latifah and Lalah Hathaway (Cooper).

They masterfully perform the five complex, cathartic movements of Reijonen’s suite, starting with “The Veil,” which opens with a mesmerizing fanfare that ushers in an Arabic-tinged melody propelled by a mesmerizing percussive mantra. “Transient” opens with the haunting, exquisite sound of Sidiq’s violin, vibrantly capturing a feeling of rootlessness and wandering in Cooper’s tense rhythms and Ogawa’s agitated percussion, eliciting Reijonen’s yearning oud solo. Heartbreakingly evocative, “The Weaver, Every So Often Shifting the Sands Beneath Her” begins as a stark introspective rock tune that gradually builds to an orchestral scale, closing with a piercingly poignant lament.

“Verso” implies turning over a new page, but in Finnish the word also means “to sprout” or “to grow.” As the lament of “The Weaver” resolves, “Verso” alternates between gentle and combustible, ushering in a kinetic new sense of freedom and flow. In the impressionistic, searching “Median,” the guitar’s trance-like musical loops build into the equivalent of a musical primal scream, making way for the relief and resolution that come after grappling with conflicting tensions, celebrating the possibilities inherent in growth, the transformative destinations reached, and those still to come.

Guitarist, oud player and composer Jussi Reijonen is truly the product of a world without frontiers. Having grown up in Finnish Lapland, the Middle East and East Africa, and spending much of his adulthood in the United States, Reijonen has lived a life soaking up the sounds, sights, scents and shades of Nordic, Middle Eastern, African and American cultures. Along his path, Reijonen has worked with such renowned artists as Jack DeJohnette, Pepe de Lucía, Javier Limón, David Fiuczynski, Simon Shaheen, Bassam Saba, Arto Tunçboyacıyan, Dave Weckl, Louis de Mieulle / Matt Garstka (of Animals as Leaders), Hüsnu Şenlendirici and the New York Gypsy All-Stars, among others. Reijonen’s Independent Music Award-nominated debut album un was released to critical acclaim in early 2013 on his unmusic label. Alongside his solo work, he co-leads Sawaari, a quintet exploring the nexus of Indian rhythms, Arabic maqamat, and trance music from North Africa and Southern Italy; collaborates with Swiss vocalist Gabriela Martina, Dutch trumpeter Eric Vloeimans and various others; is a member of the New York Arabic Orchestra; and continues his work as an educator in the US and Europe. He currently splits his time between Amsterdam, Boston and NYC.