Rabih ABOU-KHALIL - Em Portuges: rec 2008  CD  ENJA ∫ Rabih Abou-Khalil (oud), Ricardo Ribeiro (voc), Luciano Biondini (acc), Michel Godard (b, serpent, tuba), Jarrod Cagwin (dr, perc) ∫ Originals ∫ reviews - After recording with jazz greats, with traditional Arab musicians, with classical string quartets or Armenian musicians, after writing symphonic orchestral works for the Empfehlung Beat BlaserC Orchestra in London and the Ensemble Modern in Germany - what would a Lebanese composer do next? Of course he would go to Portugal, put music to Portuguese poetry and record the songs with a young fado singer from Lisbon. The adventure started with an inquiry by Ricardo Pais, the director of the National Theatre in Porto. Rabih Abou-Khalil, who first thought the whole idea was humorous - especially considering that he spoke absolutely no Portuguese at the time - immediately consented; the thrill of doing something that surreal was simply irresistible. It had not been the first time that Abou-Khalil considered working with a singer. However, he had not encountered the right one before - a free spirited virtuosic vocalist, who could sing Abou-Khalil's complex rhythms and unusual melodies, sufficiently rooted in his own culture to be able to transcend it. These traits have always played a major role in the choice of musicians Abou-Khalil made. And if the lyrics should have to be in Portuguese, so be it, music transcends language. Abou-Khalil's discovery is Ricardo Ribeiro, a young singer from Lisbon, who until now has "only" sung fado, Portugal's national music. Despite his 26 years he has already established a reputation for himself. He sings Abou-Khalil's compositions as if they were his own, he masters the complicated rhythms and unusual melodic lines with absolute ease. His voice, at times tantalizingly silky, at others rapturously powerful, melts into Abou-Khalil's oud playing to create a new unity, as though the two sprung from the same source. Ever present is Ricardo's "saudades", the Portuguese art of sadness and longing.The result is an "imaginary folklore", a music that sounds new and strange, yet familiar and natural, as if it had always existed. Far away from any banalities, something new has been born. Perhaps the missing link between East and West, between Classical and Modern, between Folklore and Art Music, deeply rooted in the everywhere and the nowhere. ∫ recording

Eric ALEXANDER - Prime Time: rec live 2007  CD  & DVD  HighNote ∫ Eric Alexander ts; David Hazeltine p; John Webber b; Joe Farnsworth dr ∫ reviews -  DRS2, Jazz aktuell 22.07.08, Empfehlung Jodok Hess / DownBeat 07.08 ***°

Monty ALEXANDER Trio - The Good Life - The Music Of Tony Bennett: rec 2008    Chesky Records ∫ Monty Alexander (p), Loren Cohen (b), George Fludas (dr) ∫ reviews - Kommentar Label: He swings with spirit on medium and up-tempos, Alexander is also a convincing spinner of love songs. On ballads, as a reviewer says, "he is a poignant water colorist, a light-touch interpreter of the ballad art." The same writer, Tom Moon, of the Miami Herald, described how, among the ingredients in Monty Alexander's distinctive style, are many flavors of bop as well as touches of an Art Tatum-like stride playing, and pungent elements of Latin American and West Indian colors and phrasing. "Alexander's lines," Moon wrote, "bubble and break like waves, and occasionally...the slight pianist moved his entire body in order to work the extremes of the instrument."
After some recordings going back to his Jamaican Ska and Reggae-roots, Monty's latest release, The Good Life, serves again the lovers of jazz and his classic piano trio format. ∫ genre: swinging piano-trio ∫ recording sound

ANGELS - Every Woman Is A Tree: rec 2008  CD  clean feed ∫ Johan Berthling b; Kjell Nordeson dr; Magnus Broo tp; Martin Küchen as; Mats Åleklint tb; Mattias Stråhl vib ∫ reviews - Label: Like Axel Dörner in Germany and Ernesto Rodrigues in Portugal, among others, Swedish alto (and sometimes baritone) saxophonist Martin Küchen spans the artificial divisions imposed between the “new” and the “old” improvising schools. His radical extended techniques, such as in the sonic use of saliva, are fundamental for the abstract, textural constructions on his solo album “Homo Sacer.” Although these techniques address sound itself rather than music as conventionally considered, Küchen is first of all a free jazz player. Küchen the free jazz artist is in fact what we find on “Every Woman is a Tree.” It is free jazz with a post-bop twist, profiting from contributions from some of the most interesting musicians on the Scandinavian scene: Magnus Broo (trumpet), Mats Äleklint (trombone), Mattias Ståhl (vibraphone), Johan Berthling (contrabass, and yes, from the experimental pop group Tape), and Kjell Nordeson (drums). Although this recording is more “thought out” and structured, it’s still organic and is even visceral, as the subject of this record – war – requires. There is, though, also similarities to be found between the music on "Every Woman is a Tree" and "Homo Sacer": the obvious melodic material, the repetitive use of rythmic material, a helplessly emotional approach to both the sound itself and to the "music" ...all this you can find on both CDs, although they initially audible "looks" very different from each other... Martin Küchen is profoundly political, with strong convictions about such topics as the Iraq invasion and occupation, American foreign policy, Israel, racism, and immigration. This music reflects that commitment.

Janina BAECHLE - Chansons Grises: rec 2008 CD  Marsyas Music ∫ Janina Baechle (mezzo soprano), Charles Spencer (p) ∫ Compositions by Reynaldo Hahn, Alexander Zemlinsky, Lili Boulanger, Darius Milhaud, Alma Mahler∫ reviews - Label: After few years only Janina Baechle has become one of the great mezzo-sopranos of our time. She has always had a strong inclination to do concerts. In recent years, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra have invited her to sing in Mahler's 2nd Symphony (under Seiji Ozawa) and "The Song of the Earth" (under Kent Nagano). Many listeners were surprised to hear that this voice, fit for the great Wagner parts, was also able to master a most tender pianissimo. Since graduation Janina Baechle has been touring from recital to recital presenting the most astonishing. At present she feels also a strong affinity to the French repertoire and the French language which she speaks better than most people in France.

Jorge Lima BARRETTO - Zul Zelub: rec 2008  CD  clean feed ∫ Jorge Lima Barretto piano solo ∫ reviews - label: As with any conceptual work of art — in this case an improvised work — this record has several layers. In its essence this is a piano solo recorded live in concert. It is simultaneously lyrical and experimental, rare combination. It addresses dynamics of time and textural timbres, spontaneous preparations, and etamorphic melodic figures. The piano melds with a hort wave radio receiver in “Zul” and with four CD players projecting a montage of natural sounds in Zelub.” These techniques bring to mind the Avant Garde music and Fluxus movement of John Cage and his use of multimedia and interart (video, instalation, performance art) in some of his compositions. In the tudio the live recordings were remastered and anipulated to create new textures and structures preserving the original solo piano. ∫ recording

Chris BEIER - Aeolian Green: rec 2007  CD  ACT ∫ Chris Beier piano solo ∫ reviews - Vertrieb: Whoever believes they have heard everything that jazz and its related musical categories have to offer should listen to the first bars of the title track to Chris Beier's CD Aeolian Green: they will be confronted with some truly "unheard of" music. Every note is in the aeolian or "natural minor" scale. Nevertheless, there is a bluesy feeling, and a surprisingly compelling strength that you just can't ignore. In turn, sounding almost like a compatriot of Eric Satie, the composition "Aigues-Mortes" amplifies on jazz's basic improvisatory approach. Beier has been developing his own original style since the beginning of the 1980's when he began working as a sideman for such jazz greats as Albert Mangelsdorff, Aladar Pege, Bill Elgart, Jörg Widmoser and John Etheridge, and as member of various groups led by renowned Polish saxophonist Leszek Zadlo. Whoever has heard the groundbreaking CDs of ACT artist Michael Wollny - who may well be Germany's most important jazz pianist - can find traces of Beier's schooling and credo: uncompromising concentration on one's individual sound and the conjoining of European music with jazz. ∫ genre: modern piano jazz ∫ recording ∫ sounds [1] | [2] | [3]

BLANTON BRANCO NASSHAN - Monuments: rec 2006, released 2008  CD  Origin Records ∫ Walt Blanton tp; Tony Branco p; John Nasshan dr ∫ reviews - All Music Guide, Adam Greenberg: Las Vegas isn't known for its jazz scene. That doesn't mean there aren't jazz players though. Origin dug up an excellent trumpeter at UNLV, and he brought a couple of musical comrades along. The trio plays through an entirely improvised session, covering a lot of musical ground ... / All About Jazz, John Barron: The notion of forming a group with the intention of playing completely improvised music is something that Las Vegas trumpeter Walt Blanton says has always fascinated him. While the concept of performing free-form jazz is nothing new, it is a bold move for an artist, like Blanton, not usually associated with the genre. After experimenting with sounds and concepts for about a year, Blanton, along with pianist Tony Branco and drummer John Nasshan felt the time was right to roll tape on their daring musical experiment. The resulting seven tracks, recorded in one day during the summer of 2006, comprises Monuments; an adventurous musical joy-ride full of unexpected twists and turns. Blanton is a powerhouse of a trumpeter who can play with lyrical restraint, culling notes from the middle register, and having fun with short melodic spurts, as he does on “Lester Rides Again” and “In And Out.” There are moments, however, when brilliant tone and commanding technique take over, as on “Life Force.” For the majority of the disc, it is Blanton who plants the initial musical seed for each piece, creating themes with noticeable traces of post-bop and contemporary mainstream jazz, singed with an abundance of melancholy and satire. / recording     

Ryan BLOTNICK - Music Needs You: rec 2008  CD  Songlines ∫ Ryan Blotnick g; Pete Robbins as; Albert Sanz p; Perry Wortman b; Joe Smith dr ∫ reviews - DRS2, Jazz aktuell 01.07.08, Empfehlung Beat Blaser / Ben Monder  "Ryan is a musician with great ideas, a full, rich sound, and a level of skill and maturity beyond his years." / John Abercrombie: "This new CD from Ryan Blotnick contains not only beautiful compositions, but really some deep, and honest improvising. I enjoyed it very much, and recommend it highly." ∫ sound

BOX - BRUCH: rec 2008  Altri Suoni ∫  Niklaus Hürny trp, Fabian MÜLLER p, Kaspar von Grünigen b, Christian Gschwend dr ∫ reviews - Label: Box ist eine kraftstrotzende Combo und gibt sich den treibenden Beats des Dancefloors hin. Hier soll Jazz und populäre Musik wie einst bei Miles Davis versöhnt werden. Ergründet werden die Vibes von Breakbeats, TripHop und Drum‘n‘bass. Alle Tunes stammen aus der eigenen Küche.

Rob BROWN - Crown Trunk Root Funk: CD  AUM Records ∫ RobBrown as, fl; Luther Gray; Joe Morris g ∫ reviews - DownBeat 06.08 ***°

Barbara BUCHHOLZ - Moonstruck: rec  CD  Intuition ∫ Barbara Buchholz theremin; Arve Henriksen tp; Jan Gang spl, prgr; Ulrike Haage p; Tilmann Dehnhard bcl, prgr; Kammerflimmer Kollektief; Susanna and the Magical Orchestra; a.m.o. ∫ reviews - Vertrieb: Die Berlinerin Barbara Buchholz gehört zu den weltweit führenden Virtuosen des Theremin, dieses  ersten Geräts elektronischer Klangerzeugung mit magischer Aura. Ihr neues Album lotet die Grenzen von Stille zu Sound aus. Sie hat dazu eine Reihe hochkarätiger Partner unterschiedlichster stilistischer Herkunft eingeladen. Eine wunderbar mondsüchtige Scheibe an der Grenze von Ambient, Electro und Meditation. ∫ recording

George CABLES - You Don't Know Me: rec 2007  CD  Kind Of Blue ∫ George Cables piano solo ∫ My Foolish Heart / You Don't Know Me / You Don't Know What Love Is / Go Down Moses / Going Home / Smoke Gets In Your Eyes / Waltz For Debby / Stella By Starlight / The Way We Were ∫ reviews - DownBeat 05.08 **** ∫ recording

Vinicius CANTUARIA - Cymbals: rec 2007  CD  Koch ∫ Vinicius Cantuaria g, el-g, seven-string g, perc, cymbals, matchbox, dr; David Binney as; Erik Friedlander vcl; Michael Leonhart tp; Brad Mehldau p; Marc Ribot g; Marivaldo Dos Santos perc; Jenny Scheinman vio ∫ reviews: DownBeat 05.08 ****

Dawn CLEMENT, Matt WILSON, Dean JOHNSON - Break: rec 2007  Origin Records ∫ Dawn Clement p, voice; Dean Johnson b; Matt Wilson dr ∫ I've Told Every Little Star / Sweet And Lovely / Dream A Little Dream Of Me / Heaven / a.o. ∫ reviews - JazzTimes: "One of the most interesting of the new crop of pianists..." / recording

Gianfranco CONTINENZA - The Past Inside The Present: rec 2008  CD  ESC ∫ Gianfranco Continenza (g), Bill Evans (ss, ts), Scott Kinsey (keyb), Maurizio Rolli (eb), Dante Malena (dr) ∫ reviews - Jazz'N'More 06.08 *** ∫ genre: jazz / fusion

Marc COPLAND - Another Place: rec 2008  CD  Pirouet Recordings ∫ Marc Copland p; John Abercrombie g; Drew Gress b; Billy Hart dr ∫ reviews - Label: This music vibrates with an intensity and lyrical magic that conjures up a hymn-like strength conjoined with a wide-open harmonic concept, subtle lines, and powerful dynamics. "Another Place" is a sparkling musical landscape in which unlimited discoveries await. ∫ recording

Larry CORYELL Organ Trio - Impressions: rec 2008  CD  Chesky Records ∫ Larry Coryell g; Sam Yahel Hammond B3; Paul Wertico dr ∫ reviews - Label: Guitarist Larry Coryell is joined by organist Sam Yahel and drummer Paul Wertico for this SACD recording of nine selections including "Stowaway", "Embraceable You" and "Full Moon Over Istanbul". Larry Coryell is "the most innovative guitarist since Charlie Christian" - Whitney Balliett / "Sam Yahel is clearly one of the most promising new organists on the New York City and international scene..." Michael G. Nascos, Jazziz ∫ recording

Sylvie COUVOISIER Trio - Freedom Now: rec 2004, released 2008  DVD La Huit ∫ Sylvie Courvoisier (p), Mark Feldman (vio), Anja Lechner (cello) | A film by Anaïs Prosaïc∫ reviews - The Swiss pianist-composer Sylvie Courvoisier, her husband the New York violinist Mark Feldman, and the German cellist Anja Lechner, perform "Abaton" the music composed by Courvoisier and published in 2004 by ECM Records. Two virtuoso dancers Marielle Girard and Cyril Davy, and Mathieu Foldès's graphic animation give shape to the daydream conjured up by the bewitching music of these dazzling performers.

Paulo CURADO - The Bird, The Breeze And Mr. Filiano: rec 2008  CD  clean feed ∫ Bruno Pedroso dr; Ken Filiano b; Paulo Curado as ∫ recording

Andrew D'ANGELO Trio - Skadra Degis: rec 2007  CD  Skirl Records ∫ Andrew D'Angelo as, bcl; Trevor Dunn b; Jim Black dr ∫ reviews - DownBeat 05.08 ***

Torsten De WINKEL Presents Bimbache Jazz Y Raices - La Condicion Humana: rec 2008  CD  ESC ∫ Torsten de Winkel (g), Grégoire Maret (harm), Jorge Palomo (cajo, palmas), Kai Eckhardt de Camargo (eb), Audun Waage (tp), a.o.∫ genre: jazz / fusion / world

Bill DIXON With The Exploding Star Orchestra: CD ThrillJockey ∫ Bill Dixon tp; Rob Mazurek, Josh Berman co; Nicole Mitchell fl, voice; Matt Bauder bcl, ts; Jeb Bishop tb; Jeff Parker g; Jim Baker p; Jason Adasiewicz vib, tubular bells; Matthew Lux b-g; Jason Ajemian b; Mike Reed dr, rimpani; John Herndon dr ∫ reviews - DownBeat 04.08 **** ∫ recording

Mathias EICK - The Door: rec 2008  ECM ∫ Mathias Eick trp, g, vib; Jon Balke p, el-p; Audun Erlien b, g; Audun Kleive dr; Stian Carstensen pedal steel g ∫ reviews - DRS2, Jazz aktuell 01.07.08, Empfehlung Beat Blaser / JazzThing, Reinhard Köchl: Mathias Eick braut mit erlesenen Helfern einen bittersüssen Zaubertrank aus dunkler Lyrik, eckigen Melodielinien und sparsamer Ambient-Atmosphäre, angereichert durch eine gesunde Portion jugendlicher Unvoreingenommenheit / Label: Der 28jährige norwegische Trompeter ist einer der herausragendsten Musiker seiner Generation. Seit zehn Jahren bereits ist er Mitglied der Kultband Jaga Jazzist, ist mit Chick Corea und der psychedelic Rock Band Motorpsycho getourt, hat für ECM Alben mit Iro Haarla und Jacob Young eingespielt und bildet zusammen mit Trygve Seim die Frontline des Quintetts von Manu Katché. Er ist also ständig auf Achse und wird allein dieses Jahr rund 100 Konzerte spielen. ‚The Door‘ ist sein Debüt unter eigenem Namen. Alle Tunes stammen aus seiner Feder und zeugen von einem neugierigen Geist. Die hochkarätig besetzte Band wechselt fliessend zwischen Grooves, experimentellen Loops und balladesken Songformen. Die unterschiedlichen Zutaten verdichten sich zu spannungsgeladenen Zonen, die so energetisch knistern wie sie sich in fragilem Gleichgewicht halten. Da öffnen sich so manchen Türen, unbedingt zu entdecken! ∫ recording

Peter ERSKINE, Tim HAGANS & The Norrbotten Big Band - Worth The World: rec 2007  CD  Fuzzy Music ∫ Peter Erskine dr; Tim Hagans tp; Norrbotten Big Band ∫ reviews - DownBeat 05.08 **** / record / sound

Dalia FAITELSON - Pilpel (Pepper): rec 2006  CD  Double Moon ∫ Dalia Faitelson voc, g; Lelo Nika acc; Thommy Andersson b; Jarrod Cagwin perc ∫ reviews - Radio Magazin 03.08, C. Gaibrois: ... die israelische Singer/Songwriterin Dalia Faitelson verschhmiltz orientalische Lieder, melancholische Akkordeonklänge und Perkussionsrhythmen zu eine ganz eigenen Stil / DRS2, Jazz aktuell 22.01.08, Jürg Solothurnmann /  Promo Label: An extraordinary vocalist is going her way; Dalia Faitelson is presenting her new CD and again surprising all fans. She had always mixed Oriental, European, jazz and funk elements in her compositions and arrangements. But this time she has spiced the mixture with a language still unusual for us; she sings in Hebrew, the language of her father and her country of birth Israel. Her fascinating voice, which is really unmistakable on one hand but very variable on the other hand, already left us deeply impressed on her previous albums. And the same can be said of numerous prize judges and critics, who have awarded her prizes (Danish Grammy, World Music Award) and praised her. This time Dalia consciously did without international jazz guest stars, who often accompanied her in the past (e.g., Randy Brecker). Instead, she worked with a group, which has played together a long time, on putting her roots into music. Her roots are in Israel, but also in Bulgaria, her mother’s country of birth. A very varied work has been created from these roots and her studies in Jerusalem and Berklee/USA (where she graduated with distinction), which puts a spell on listeners. There is a wonderful trio around her, so to say a „musical greenhouse“, which enables her voice to flourish optimally ∫ record

FOURSCORE - Add To Friends: rec 2008  CD  Intuition ∫ Tobias Meinhart ts, Alex Jung g, Heiko Jung b, Nevyan Lenkov dr ∫ reviews - Label: Die vier jungen deutschen Musiker wollen nicht, dass ihre Musik gehört wird, weil sie jung oder heimisch ist, sondern weil sie gut ist. Für ihr Debüt haben sie sich denn auch entsprechend Zeit gelassen. Der Schritt ins Studio erfolgte nach vier Jahren des Reifens. Zu hören ist funkiger Jazz, der an Billy Cobham oder Weather Report ebenso anklingt wie an den Hard Bop Horace Silvers. ∫ recording

Jeff GAUTHIER Goatette - House Of Return: rec 2008  CD  Cryptogramophone ∫ Jeff Gauthier vio; Nels Cline g; David Witham p; Joel Hamilton b; Alex Cline dr ∫ Kommentar - Label: "House of Return," Gauthier's 5th recording as a leader, moves effortlessly from moody acoustic jazz to creative new music, to skronk fusion and electronic space jams. Voted a "Rising Star" as  violinist and producer in the 2007 Downbeat Critics Poll, Gauthier continues his subversive plot to destroy all musical boundaries.

GEKKO - Moonlight Mask: rec 2007  CD  Altri Suoni ∫ Alexandre Babel dr/perc, Raphael Anker trp/trb/flh, Alexandre Rodrigues keyb, Nicolas Brunner b/g ∫ reviews - Label: Die aus Genf stammende Band pflegt ein breites Spektrum von Nu-Jazz bis zu einer Adaption von Faurés Elégie. Die rockenden Beats und elektronischen Distortions sorgen für ein gemeinsames Fundament, die aufwändige Studioproduktion sorgt für Breitleinwand-Surround-Sound ebenso wie der knochentrockene Stubenatmosphäre. Ein weiteres Zeugnis der lebendigen Szene rund um den Genfer Club AMR. contemporary ∫ recording

Michel GODARD - Archangelica: rec  2008  CD  CAM Jazz ∫ Michel Godard (serpent), Maria Pia De Vito (voc), Freddy Eichelberger (harpsichord), Gérard Marais (g), Franck Tortillier (marimba), Patrice Héral (perc), L'atélier de Musiciens du Louvre - Grenoble ∫ reviews - Label: "...Entities that are seemingly direct opposites can reach out to each other and get along just fine: such is the daring assumption of this record. When baroque music and jazz intermingle their themes and approaches, contemporary mojo links up with the sacred of yesteryear and the shadows reveal their gold.... Would a harpsichord have anything to say to a marimba? Absolutely! Might a woman's voice intertwine with the sounds of a serpent? Why not? Thanks to the rigors and constraints of their respective musical training, the musicians manage to be free together, and to bestow this freedom on their listeners." (Nancy Huston) / recording

Jon GORDON - Within Worlds: rec 2007  CD  ArtistShare ∫ Jon Gordon as, ss; Ben Monder g; Bill Stewart, Billy Drummond, Bill Campbell or Mark Ferber dr; Kevin Hays p; Joe Martin b; Gary Versace org  ∫ reviews - DownBeat 04.08 ****°

Bunky GREEN - The Salzau Quartet Live At JazzBaltica: rec 2007  CD  Traumton ∫ Bunky Green as; Carsten Daerr p; Eva Kruse b; Nasheet Waits dr ∫ reviews -  JazzThetik 07.08 ****°

Drew GRESS - The Irrational Numbers: rec 2007  CD  Premonition Records ∫ Drew Gress b, eltr, comp, arr, prod; Tim Berne as; Ralph Alessi tp; Craig Taborn p; Tom Rainey dr ∫ Originals ∫ reviews - DownBeat 04.08 **** / With "The Irrational Numbers," composer/bassist Drew Gress adds another stellar album to his already impressive discography of smart and uncompromising modern jazz. Utilizing the same core group of players who appeared on Gress' previous Premonition album, „7 Black Butterflies“, Gress demonstrates, and continues to develop a rare alchemy in jazz: the seamless merging of serious harmonic and melodic structuralism with free and open-minded improvisations. On previous efforts, he has maybe emphasized the blowing for this is a group of musicians who can, and will, play anything. With "The Irrational Numbers," however Gress leans more on the compositions and on his own emphatic bass playing (there are 6 Gress solos on the album). The effect is to step back and view an important work of art from a completely different perspective. You see what you saw before but it is enhanced and enlivened by the different angle. Among the 10 new Gress compositions on the album, "Chevelle," "Your Favorite Kind," "By Far" and "True South," are standouts. "The Irrational Numbers" features Tim Berne on saxophone, Tom Rainey on drums, Craig Taborn on piano, Ralph Alessi on trumpet, Drew Gress on bass and electronics. David Torn, who produced 7 Black Butterflies, is back and adds his brilliant touch.

George GRUNTZ - Pourquoi pas? Why Not?: rec 2007 CD  TCB Home Page ∫ George Gruntz cond, comp; George Gruntz, p, e-p, leader; Marvin Stamm (lead), Alexander Sipiagin, Kenny Rampton, Tatum Greenblatt tp, flh; Dave Bargeron (euphonium, tb), Gary Valente, René Mosele tb Earl McIntyre (b-tb); Howard Johnson tu, bs, bcl, penny whistle; Chris Hunter (as, ss, fl), Sal Giorgianni,(as, ts, fl), Larry Schneider (ts), Donny McCaslin (ts, ss, cl) reeds; Arie Volinez el-b; John Riley dr ∫ reviews - DRS2, Jazz aktuell 10.06.08, Empfehlung Beat Blaser ∫ recording

HARRELL / MORONI / DULBECCO / FIORAVANTI / ZIRILLI / BAGNOLI - The Cube: CD  abeat records ∫ Tom Harrell tp, flh; Dado Moroni p; Andrea Dulbecco vib; Riccardo Fioavanti b; Enzo Zirilli dr, perc; Stefano Bagnoli dr, perc ∫ reviews - Jazz’N’More 03.08 *** / recording

Joel HARRISON - Passing Train: rec 2008  CD  Intuition ∫ Joel Harrison g/voc, Stephan Crump b, Ben Wittman dr, Jamey Haddad perc, David Binney as u.a. ∫ reviews - Label: Zusammen mit Norah Jones war der amerikanische Gitarrist Joel Harrison auch schon prominent in den Charts vertreten. Nun erscheint mit ‚Passing Train‘ das erste Singer/Songwriter Album des vielfach talentierten Musikers. Harrison liess sich sechs Jahre Zeit für dieses Soloalbum, feilte an den Songs und an seiner Stimme und umgab sich mit einer Reihe von Gastmusikern. Entstanden ist ein stimmungsvolles und ausdrucksstarkes Album eines musikalischen Grenzgängers. Sein Credo lautet: „Wenn ich jemanden mit nur einer meiner Platten nachhaltig berühren kann, habe ich schon viel erreicht.“ ∫ recording
Joel HARRISON - The Wheel: rec 2008  CD  Intuition ∫ Joel Harrison g, Todd Reynolds, Chris Howes v, Caleb Burhans va, Wendy Sutter vc, David Binney as, Ralph Alessi trp, Lindsey Horner b, Dan Weiss dr ∫ reviews - Label: Auf ‚The Wheel‘ verbindet Harrison Einflüsse von Jazz, Klassik und Folk zu einem seiner ambitioniertesten Projekte. Er kombiniert zwei ‚klassische‘ Quartette, ein Streich– und ein Jazzquartett, zu einer neuen Einheit und schafft eine komponierte Umgebung für solistische Statements. Zusammen mit ‚Passing Train‘ zeigt sich das breite Spektrum dieses aussergewöhnlich vielseitigen und talentierten Musikers. ∫ recording

Hans HASSLER - Sehr Schnee, Sehr Wald, Sehr: rec 2007  CD  Intakt ∫ Hans Hassler acc solo ∫ reviews - DRS2, Jazz aktuell 27.05.08, Empfehlung Jodok Hess / Label: Hans Hassler ist der wahre Schweizer König auf dem Akkordeon. Stilistisch nicht fassbar und doch kantig seinem Weg verpflichtet, begeistert Hans Hassler mit grandios verspielter Musikalität, abgründigem Humor und überraschenden Grenzgängen. Seine Erscheinung, sein Schalk, seine Virtuosität und sein unerhörtes Spektrum von Ländler bis Jazz machen seine Performances zum Erlebnis. Mit «SEHR SCHNEE - SEHR WALD, SEHR» präsentiert der 63 jährige Musiker seine erste Solo-Aufnahme. Hans Hassler, der Freigeist mit Herz und Bart, gibt erstmals Einblick in seinen musikalischen Kosmos. / Vertrieb: Der 1945 in Graubünden geborene Akkordeonist überrascht seit über 30 Jahren mit seinem Gang durch die verschiedensten Szenen von Peter Hinnens ‚ 7000 Rinder’ bis zu Hans Kennel. Ob Schweizer Volksmusik, Jazz, Filmmusik, freie Improvisation oder klassische Musik, er kennt sich aus. Kantig seinem Weg verpflichtet, begeistert Hans Hassler mit grandios verspielter Musikalität, abgründigem Humor und überraschenden Grenzgängen. Seine Erscheinung, sein Schalk, seine Virtuosität und sein unerhörtes Spektrum von Ländler bis Jazz machen seine Musik zum Erlebnis. Nun präsentiert Hassler seine erste, lange erwartete Solo-Aufnahme. ∫ recording

The Jon HEMMERSAM / Dom MINASI Quartet - Feat. Ken Filiano and Kresten Osgood: rec 2008  CD  CDM ∫  John Hemmersam, Dom Minasi g; Ken Filiano b; Kresten Osgood dr ∫ reviews - DownBeat **** ∫ recording

Jon HERINGTON - Pulse And Cadence: rec  2008  CD  ESC ∫ Jon Herington (g, voc), Jim Beard (p, keyb), Ralph Bowen (sax), Michael Mossman (tp), Victor Bailey (eb), Peter Erskine (dr) ∫ reviews - Label: These are early recordings from Steely Dan guitar player Jon Herington as a solo artist! Jon Herington is a guitarist, singer/songwriter and producer who has been active on the New York City music scene since 1985. This album features eight of his own compositions as well as the brilliant playing of keyboardist Jim Beard, bassist Victor Bailey, drummer Peter Erskine, and percussionist Arto Tuncboyacian. In addition to Steely Dan, Jon has toured with the Jim Beard group, The Blue Nile, Phoebe Snow, saxophonist Bill Evans, the contemporary jazz superband Chroma, Lucy Kaplansky (of Cry, Cry, Cry), and jazz/blues organ great Jack McDuff. ∫ genre: jazz / fusion

HIROMI  & SONICBLOOM - Beyond Standard: rec 2007 CD  Telarc ∫ Hiromi (p), David Fiuczynski (g), Tony Grey (b), Martin Valihora (dr) ∫ My Favorite Things / A Night In Tunisia / a.o. ∫ reviews - DRS2, Jazz aktuell 08.07.08, Empfehlung Jodok Hess / DownBeat 07.08 *** / Vertrieb: Hiromi's supergroup, Sonicbloom, has shattered the formula of making records written solely by the celebrated pianist/composer. Their latest outing, Beyond Standard finds Tony Grey (bass), Martin Valihora (drums), and Dave "Fuze" Fiuczynski (guitar and otherworldly sounds) assisting Hiromi in crafting unique versions of familiar tunes such as Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm," Rodgers & Hammerstein's "My Favorite Things" and even Jeff Beck's "Led Boots." The group has been recognized for its energetic virtuosity by music industry and mainstream publications alike: Downbeat, JazzTimes, Keyboard, and The New York Times. ∫ recording

Vijay IYER -Tragicomic: rec 2008 Sunnyside ∫ Vijay yer p; Rudresh Mahanthappa as; Stephan Crump b; Marcus Gilmore dr ∫ reviews - DownBeat 07.08 **** ∫ recording

Keefe JACKSON's Project Project - Just Like This: rec 2007  CD  Delmark ∫ Keefe Jackson ts, cl; John Berman co; Jamie Branch tp, flh; Jeb Bishop, Nick Broste tb; Marc Unternährer tu; James Falzone cl; Guillermo Gregorio as, cl; Dave Rempis as, bs; Jason Stein bcl; Anton Hatwich b; Frank Rosaly dr ∫ reviews - DownBeat 04.08 *** ∫ recording

Steve KHAN - The Suitcase - Live In Köln 1994: rec  1994  CD  ESC ∫ Steve Khan (g), Anthony Jackson (eb), Dennis Chambers (dr) ∫ Label: This incredible recording features Steve alongside Anthony Jackson (contrabass guitar) and Dennis Chambers (drums) and was recorded on the last night of their European Tour on May 17th, 1994. The recording took place as part of a live radio broadcast for WDR as the trio performed at Stadtgarten Club in Köln, Germany. Recorded digitally and direct to a 2-track master, the CDs feature truly remarkable performances from all three players, but, it is easy to recognize that these are historic representations of the art of both Anthony Jackson and Dennis Chambers. What takes place on the nearly 18-minute version of Joe Henderson's "Caribbean Fire Dance" will be talked about for a long, long time. Anthony Jackson's solo 'prelude' to the title track is also a truly outstanding moment. ∫ genre: jazz / fusion

Kirk KNUFFKE - Wig Wig: rec 2008  CD  clean feed ∫ Brian Drye tb; Jeff Davis dr; Kirk Knuffke tp; Reuben Radding b ∫ reviews - DRS2, Jazz aktuell 01.07.08, Empfehlung Beat Blaser / label: “Big Wig” is Knuffke's debut record. This Denver-born turned New Yorker musician admires the sound and the phrasing of Lester Bowie (you may notice his influence) and the compositional work of Steve Lacy (Knuffke plays in a band dedicated to interpret the departed soprano saxophonist's tunes), but he also loves Thad Jones swinging orchestral ideas. There's a Chet-Baker-like sweetness in his playing and he has a crazy predilection for Pee Wee Russell and his clarinet. “Open” and “straight-ahead” are terms that simultaneously apply to the Kirk Knuffke Quartet. One doesn't exclude the other. They simply are two aspects of the same thing. The group can be rigorous, yes, but also “rude and reckless when the music calls for it,” as Kirk writes in the liner notes of this album. ∫ recording

LIEBMAN ESKELIN BLACK - Renewal: rec 2007  CD  hatOLOGY ∫ Dave Liebman, Ellery Eskelin ts; Jim Black dr ∫ reviews - DRS2, Jazz aktuell 27.05.08, Empfehlung Jodok Hess

Carla MARCOTULLI - How Can I Get To Mars?: rec 2008  CD  ACT ∫ Carla Marcotulli (voc), Bob Sheppard (ts), Sandro Gibellini (g), Dick Halligan (p), Dave Carpenter (b), Peter Erskine (dr) ∫ reviews - Kommentar Label: Carla Marcotulli comes from a musical family. Her father was a sound engineer with his own studio in which,among other things, a lot of film music was recorded, including a good number of scores from Ennio Morricone. While sister Rita took piano lessons - today she is one of Italy's most renowned jazz pianists - Carla began playing flute. At the age of 19, Carla sang with Chet Baker at the "Four Roses Jazz Festival", and later in the same year with Carmen McRae. "I was a wild kid, and only a lot later it became clear to me what that meant." The Roman jazz club "Music Inn" became her second home; it was there that she ended up singing with half the Italian jazz scene. However, she felt there was something missing, and that it was time to work on her musical abilities. Carla determined to study classical singing in Venice, and consequently performed in operas from New York to Puerto Rico. But her return to jazz was just a matter of time. "Always being told how to sing music made by others was too monotonous. I wanted to have more freedom, and also be able to try out some of my own things." Halligan's name will always be connected - both a curse and a blessing - with "Blood, Sweat &Tears". In 1967 Dick was trombonist with and one of the founding members of this ground-breaking jazz-rock band. He was one of the most important songwriters on the group's first four albums; these recordings have remained their most successful and influential. Already back then, Halligan's Grammy-winning "Variation on a Theme by Satie" demonstrated that he was a classically trained composer with an enormous range. After leaving "Blood, Sweat & Tears", he was especially successful as a composer for film music in Los Angeles. Now 65, Halligan retreated to Italy a few years ago in order to devote himself exclusively to composing. This CD has become as multifaceted an endeavour as Marcotulli's and Halligan's careers. There is a successful synthesis of different musical elements in Halligan's riveting melodic songs. ∫ recording

Brad MEHLDAU Trio - Live: rec 2006  DCD  Nonesuch ∫ Brad Mehldau p; Larry Grenadier b; Jeff Ballard dr ∫ reviews - DRS2, Jazz aktuell 08.07.08, Empfehlung Jodok Hess / DownBeat 07.08 **** ∫ recording

Stephan MICUS - Snow: rec 2008  CD  ECM ∫ Stephan Micus duduk, charango, gongs, tibetan cymbals, bavarian zither, steel string guitar,  hammered dulcimers, doussn gouni, nay, bass duduk, voice ∫ reviews - Kommentar: Imaginäre Weltmusik, die zur Meditation einlädt! Der in Bayern geborene Multiinstrumentalist lebt heute auf Mallorca. Schnee ist für ihn eines der schönsten Naturphänomene. ‚Snow‘ entstand auf ausgedehnten Reisen nach Armenien, Nagorno-Karabakh und dem Kaukasus. In Armenien sammelte er das zum Weltkulturerbe der UNESCO zählende Duduk (ein Doppelrohrblattinstrument) und studierte in Georgien und Bulgarien deren ganz eigene Vokalmusik. Micus notiert seine Musik nicht, sondern nimmt sie mehrspurig in seinem Studio auf. Dabei ergeben sich überraschende Kombinationen, auf ‚Snow‘ etwa von Duduk und Bayerischer Zither, daneben finden sich Solostücke mit dem peruanischen Charango, einer Art Ukulele. Ausserdem spielt auch die Stimme wieder eine prägende Rolle. Die Instrumente aus Ägypten, Armenien, Burma, China, Deutschland, Gambia, Peru, Mali, Tibet und den USA ergeben eine wahrlich imaginäre Weltmusik. ∫ recording

Nicole MITCHELL's Black Earth Ensemble - Black Unstoppable: rec 2007 CD  Delmark ∫ Nicole Mitchell fl, afl, piccolo; Ugochi Nwaogwugwu voc (3 tr); David Boykin ts; David Young tp; Tomeka Reid vcl; Jeff Parker g; Josh Abrams b; Marcus Evans dr ∫ reviews - DownBeat  05.08 **** ... she's become much more than the one flute player everyone likes; she has arrived as one of jazz's most ambitious, prolific and daring composers, a master of synthesis and programmatic organization ... there's no doubt that this recording vibrantly captures another chapter of profound artistic growth

Anja MOHR - Abend: rec 2007  CD  Intuition ∫ Anja Mohr p, Andreas Edelmann b, Willi Hanne dr ∫ reviews - Label: Das Debüt-Album der Hamburgerin Anja Mohr lässt aufhorchen. Piano Trios sind en vogue, selten aber ist der Leader weiblich. ‚Abend‘ präsentiert ein starke Mischung aus eigenen und fremden Tunes, letztere stammen aus den Federn von Coltrane (‚Afro Blue‘), Miles (‚Tutu‘), Toto (‚Georgy Porgy‘) u.a. Neben lyrisch versponnen Saiten kommen dabei auch handfeste Grooves zum Klingen ∫ recording

Michael MOORE & Fred HERSCH - This We Know: rec 2003  CD  Palmetto  ∫ Michael Moore cl, as; Fred Hersch p ∫ Kommentar - Michael Moore & Fred Hersch:  We met in the fall of 1975 at the New England Conservatory in Boston.  Both of us had come east -- Michael from Northern California, Fred from Cincinnati -- to study with the great pianist Jaki Byard.  During our two years in Boston we played together in various contexts including many hours playing duos in the practice rooms.  In the ensuing 30+ years, we have collaborated on many projects led by both of us.  This is our first duo album. ∫ recording

MOSS: rec 2008 CD Sunnyside ∫ Theo Bleckman, Peter Eldridge, Lauren Kirnha, Kate McGarry, Luciana Souza voices; Peter Eldridge p; Ben Monder el-g; Keith Ganz g; Tim Lefebvre b; Ben Wittman dr, perc, kb; Jody Redhage vcl; Michael McGinnis bcl ∫ reviews - DownBeat 07.08 ****° / recording

Paul MOTIAN Trio 2000 + Two - Live At The Village Vanguard Vol. II: rec 2008  CD  Winter & Winter ∫ Paul Motian dr; Chris Potter sax; Larry Grenadier b + Masabumi Kikuchi p; Greg Osby as ∫ DRS2, Jazz aktuell 22.07.08, Empfehlung Jodok Hess

Florin NICULESCU - Plays Stéphane Grappelli: rec 2008  CD  Blujazz ∫ Florin Niculuescu vio; Peter Beets p; Bruno Ziarelli dr; Daryl Hall b; Christian Escoude g; Marc Fosset g

Bill O'CONNELL - Triple Play: rec 2008  CD  Savant ∫ Bill O'Connell p; Dave Valentin fl; Richie Flores perc ∫ Just In Time / Afro Blue / You've Changed / a.o.∫ reviews - DRS2, Jazz aktuell 22.07.08, Empfehlung Jodok Hess

Rosa PASSOS - Romance: rec 2008  CD  Telarc ∫ Rosa Passos voc, g; Fabio Torres p; Paulo Paulellib; Celso de Almeida dr; Lula Galvao g a.o. ∫ genre: Bossa / Brazil ∫ Recording

Nicholas PAYTON - Into The Blue: rec 2007 CD  Nonesuch ∫ Nicholas Payton tp, voc, synth; Kevin Hays p, fender; Vicente Archer b; Marcus Gilmore dr; Daniel Sadownick perc ∫ reviews -DownBeat 07.08 ** - ***° /  DRS2, Jazz aktuell 03.06.08, Empfehlung Peter Bürli / recording

Marc RIBOT's Ceramic Dog - Party Intellectuals: CD Yellowbird ∫ Marc Ribot (g, voc), Ches Smith (dr, perc, eltr, voc), Shazad Ismaily (b, voc) ∫ reviews - Label: Party Intellectuals is the debut recording from Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog, a post-everything band combining the energies of two masters of downtown New York City mayhem:  guitarist/vocalist Marc Ribot (Tom Waits, John Zorn, Robert Plant, T-Bone Burnett, Marianne Faithful, Lounge Lizards, Elvis Costello, Cassandra Wilson) and bassist Shahzad Ismaily (Laurie Anderson, Will Oldham, Jolie Holland, Secret Chiefs 3), with West Coast indie/experimental genius drummer Ches Smith (Xiu Xiu, Secret Chiefs 3, Trevor Dunn's Trio Convulsant). / Time Out New York:  "Marc Ribot's new power trio, filled out by the remarkable versatile rhythm team of bassist Shahzad Ismaily and drummer Ches Smith, is his rawest band in ages." / recording

Pete ROBBINS - Do The Hate Laugh Shimmy: rec 2007  CD  Fresh Sound New Talent ∫ Pete Robbins (as), Sam Sadigursky (ts, cl, bcl), Jesse Neuman (tp), Craig Taborn (Fender Rhodes), Eliot Cardinaux (Fender Rhodes, Nord Electro, Loops), Ben Monder (g), Ryan Blotnick (g), Mike Gamble (g,loops), Thomas