Entries from March 2015
Eliane Elias: Made In Brazil
If you’ve never been to Brazil, consider Eliane Elias as a goodwill ambassador with Made In Brazil. It is a triumphant return for the pianist/vocalist to her native land to record her first album there since relocating to the United States in 1981. There is a delicacy to how Elias chooses and approa…
Date: No Comments · Categories: Jazz CD Reviews
·The Sirkis/Bialas International Quartet: Come To Me
Led by drummer m: Asaf Sirkis and vocalist m: Sylwia Bialas , the International Quartet is completed by pianist m: Frank Harrison (a long-time collaborator with Sirkis in m: Gilad Atzmon ‘s Orient House Ensemble) and bassist m: Pat Bettison . C…
Date: No Comments · Categories: Jazz CD Reviews
·Sinikka Langeland: Sinikka Langeland: The half-finished heaven
She may have debuted on ECM (and, consequently, far beyond the borders of her native Norway) with 2007’s Starflowers, but Sinikka Langeland has, in fact, been around for more She may have debuted on ECM (and, consequently, far beyond the borders of her native Norway) with 2007’s Starflowers, but Sin…
Date: No Comments · Categories: Jazz CD Reviews
·Backback: III
The initial impression of the jazz/rock trio Backback is that they take their cues form the Boston 90s indie band Morphine because the trio features the baritone saxophone of Marc De Maeseneer in most of their compositions. Indeed, III opens with the blues/funk/rocker “Joe” that riffs off of the dee…
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·Henry Darragh: Too Much Monday
My introduction to Houston Jazz came with the receipt of m: Jacqui Sutton ‘s Billie and Dolly (Toy Blue Typewriter Productions, 2010). A few short months later, I received Henry Darragh’s Tell Her for Me (A Train Creative, 2011). When I compared the musical personnel for each of these recor…
Date: No Comments · Categories: Jazz CD Reviews
·Jani Moder’s Brain Blender: Abacus
m: Jani Moder ‘s Brain Blender plays what can only be described as “classic fusion.” Bandleader/guitarist Moder attended the prestigious Berlkee College of Music. Presumably his bandmates do not possess the same international credentials, but only the dual Slovenian/English credits on the…
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·Eyal Vilner Big Band: Almost Sunrise
Suddenly, it seems, the state of Israel has become a focal point and incubator for contemporary jazz. A new wave of world-class musicians led by the three Cohens (not to be confused with Broadway’s three Cohans) has crossed the ocean to plant the Israeli flag firmly in the midst of what was once con…
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