[JPL] bopndicks 10 picks, July 2008

[Dick Crockett]

Bopnicks
10 picks July 2008
BRAD
MEHLDAU TRIO  LIVE Nonesuch
Records
Almost a jazz psychic sponge, if there is one, what is
with extensive training and dexterity that Brad Mehldau encompasses
all the great ones, the figurative and memorable ones the baroque of
our time as microfiche will be shrunk, restored to just like it was,
then until now in future of now, the extemporaneous 'working with me'
as jazz makes it so contemporaneously so. This 2 part cd has more
stretch, pitch, tone and contemporary thinking than any meets a new
progressive jazz piano incarnation.  
This “Live” cd will make certain your all time
momentous 'mo' will make it so.
For we
kid you not, a psychic said so, to be  recognized in the lithology of
all time,  Brad Mehldau plays piano like a ****** ******!
AHMAD
JAMAL        IT'S MAGIC Dreyfus Records
Which
bring us to the future past of the spring forward of this modern
American tradition, forAHMAD JAMAL predates BRAD MELHDAUand his newest will attest, as you may not know by the way as Miles
Davis favorite piano player.  
AHMAD
JAMALexpresses his joy of music with his new release, IT'S
MAGIC. Jamal
is part of the new school, old school thinking, who picks up
generations of new listeners along the way.  He's as fresh and classy
as he was in the fifties with his version of “Poinciana,” and
distinctive and gentlemanly as Errol Garner was in his day, more than
coincidental,  they grew up in the same neighborhood. Jamal more than
captivates you with selections, “It's Magic,” “Wild As The
Wind/Sing” with ingenious reharmonization, flawless speculation and
anticipated dynamics in “The Way You Look Tonight,” This is an
angel at the piano overlooking a cool Monterey Bay in July on the
many July's of your life cycle. Yes, IT'S
MAGICshould be cherished and coveted for it's history by the listener as
never before.
CHICO
HAMILTON TRIO    IT'S ABOUT TIME Joyous
Shout Records
As some who remember will say, Chico Hamilton, drummer,
introduced the West Coast sound in 1955 with Howard Roberts, guitar
and George Duvivier, bass to many fledgling cool bop fans and this
reincarnation of the celebrated drummer with an energetic new culture
of Cary DeNigris, guitar and Paul Ramsey, fender bass make this a
most inviting post modern adventure with “I Cary” and “What
If.”  Hamilton likes to work with young musicians for a new
perspective as these two will most certainly do in “Tone Poem F.”
Chico Hamilton has always been a notable innovator on
this and many others before.  And he deserves this and “It's About
Time.”
JAMES
CARTER    PRESENT TENSE Emarcy
Records
This Carter from Detroit, notable for the many other
fine musical Carters, Ron, Betty and Regina.  Not related by birth,
but brothers and sisters in this modern world of jazz, with an ear
for new ideas and James Carter, the young multi reed player with the
inventions of an Eric Dolphy and Roland Kirk and probably a flawless
emotional dexterity on bass clarinet as in “Bro. Dolphy,” a
serenading soprano saxophone on Django Reinhardt's “Pour Que Ma Vie
Dermeure,” that would turn a smiling Sidney Bechet into a fan, a
melodious tenor in his original, “Sussa Nita.” James Carter's
incredible talent showcases in this new cd with flavors of different
syncopated, swing bebop styles and different eras of the art and when
Carter play flute on “Dodo's Bounce,” you'll know you're
witnessing a special talent. If Tiger Woods could play music, he'd
sound like James Carter, proficient in all the facets of his game.
ROBERT
WALTER      CURE ALL Palmetto Records
He's conscientious to the low down and slow moves,
emphasizing the pernicious high end point of the song, Robert Walter
is a pure funk modernist and right off on “Snakes and Spiders,”
to mesh of emotional flow, you know, Git Down gets your tow nails up
straight to the  shakin' bake of what's going on. This is what Robert
Walter is about, not to be washed away and instantly forgotten as
fluffy angora in a car wash.
I mean Robert Walter  plays killer riffs on the Hammond
B-3, and he tastefully readjusts on piano in “Money Changes.”And
back to some more brackish in the title tune with a series of modal
riffs where this cd seems like a live gig. Robert Walter establishes
his game among other post funk band leaders, “Bad Plus,” “Medeski
Martin &Wood and e.s.t.. Then “Parts And Holes”  Walter's
Rhodes and Hammond take in another level as if Joe Henderson and
Woody Shaw were ready for a solo. Robert Walter's post formative
magic absorbs past bop rag time mystics in “Rivers Of Babylon.” 
In fact Robert Walter relishes the atmosphere throughout this new
exciting cd.
TAYLOR
EIGSTI      LET IT COME TO YOU Concord
Jazz
He possesses the same command and vigor on young Oscar
Peterson and a unique distinct feel that separate him from the rest.
Taylor Eigsti may discovered his early than most, when copping and
listening settle into his sense of style. Taylor Eigsti is a very
listened to accommodating genius, thus the populace are forever moved
by his instinctive contemporary approach to his music.
GARY
VERSACE      OUTSIDE IN Criss Cross Jazz
What
great trippiness this tight funky aggregation is...
Keyboardist
Gary Versace is an in demand musician known for his multi talented
diversities and  here he's dead on with the Hammond B-3 with Donny
McCaslin's loaded reed playing and Adam Rogers 'el bosso' guitar with
a charismatic Clarence Penn on drums,  this is a very Saturday night
and tight band, as Versace's originals on this cd will take you on
many different excursions in the emporium of Lounge universe and
you've gone from “The Grand Inquisitor” to “Blue Soup.”
In
Detroit, we'd say VER-SAYS rather than VER-SACHE with this 21stCentury funk, meaning it's well grounded in 'Jimmy Smith-dom' with a
progressive modern funk-cosmology as in “Now Is Then.”
Versace's
compositions are articulate, fresh and proactive, breathing new life
into  modern jazz funk-fusion. “Pinwheel,” “A Thousand Words”
and “Many Places” make it a map quest of multi fascination. 
“Outside In” just could be the new reality inside out!
DAWN
CLEMENT   BREAK Origin
Records
Right from the top with Jerome Kern's  “I've told
Every Little Star,” pianist Dawn Clement shows rare insight, a
unique conception for the post modern imagination. You know you're in
for something special.  Bud Powell is a major catalyst, a romantic be
bopper, meshing Chopin, Schopenhauer with Thelonious Monk. Philosophy
and jazz, cataclysmic!
She sheds amorphous, wild crazy for Bud Powell on her
new cd with “First Nature.”  
Then she speaks with a very delicate 'Blossom Dearie
vocalization with a compilation, the poetic, “Oh Love That Will Not
Let Me Go/All Of Me.” She accompanies her vocal with a solo
interpretation that soars up to a classical sense with dynamic
imposition and into “Distant Oasis” with stride like
articulation, then a straight ahead “Sweet and Lovely.”  
Dawn Clements knows how to build upon a basic theme with
a soft subtle mood of Antonio Carlos Jobim's “Just One More For
You.”
Clement's signature is “Dream A Little Dream For Me,”
a vocal counterpoint to her accompaniment with Dean Johnson's 
memorable strolling bass line and Matt Wilson's amazing syncopation. 
Dawn Clements reveals fresh new ideas, a conception that draws a
parallel universe of post modern understanding in her new cd,
“Break,” that'll have us raving about her for some time!
DERRICK
GARDNER and THE JAZZ PROPHETS   A RIDE TO THE OTHER SIDE...OR
INFINITY Owl
Studios
This has the swash of yesterdays upright swagger hard
boppers possessed in the sixties, all the way from 52nd street, a
tradition Cannonball, Freddy Hubbard and Joe Henderson upheld in the
midst of Jimi Hendricks, Rolling Stones and The Beatles.  
Derrick Gardner and the Jazz Prophets restore the
integrity with this new cd. The title tune is a rapturous version of
what the after hours clubs were like in those days, open,
improvisation  and smoke with cool.”Mac Daddy Grip” is pure
oxygenation, heady- smooth at 30 thousand feet, flying home in first
class, a couple free bloody Mary's besides...
“A
Ride On The Other Side...or Infinity” provide a jazz alternate
universe of what is...is not...what used to be...

GABRIEL
ALEGRIA    NUEVO MUNDOSaponegro  Records
A remarkable album, in case, this is your first
exposure. This features Peruvian trumpet player, Gabriel Alegria with
a guidance from West Coast trumpet extraordinary Bobby Shew.  There
are contemporary sounds that stem from Alegria's soul ethos that'll
thrill your interns. If we had a way to stimulate other bodily
functions then it would be....listen  to “las hijas del sol” and
“El Norte” for positive conjecture and reinforcement. This is not
psychological mono babble ( at least I hope not) for this should
hearken a better or worse... a sense of urgency. Gabriel Alagria
swings to reveal heritage and will do a combo of influence to enhance
the message.
Check out “Nuevo Mundo” and you'll know the message.
ONES
TO WATCH:  
NICK
VAYENAS     SYNESTHESIA WCM
Records
Synesthesia is a proper name for this spirited uplifting trombone euphoria as it puts you in a summer tone electro mode,  for
you may see Weather Report and Andy Warhol commiserating over a
friendly game of lazy eights and wine. Believe me, it has that kind a
spiritual reflection.
Since we're in a reflective mood...
BOB
BELDEN    MILES FROM INDIA (a celebration of the music of Miles
Davis) Times
Square Records
A 2 cd reflection of Miles music with Wallace Roney,
John McLaughlin, Robert Irving, Ron Carter and scores  of Indian
musicians turning this music into classic afternoon raga and beyond
into extenuating warm languid day light. A couple of listens to stuff
you've heard before, but not quite like this... some tea and honey
and a drifting away to a pleasant alternate Universe, and you'll have
an unforgettable namaste'.
FLEURINE SAN FRANCISCO SunnysideRecords  
She's an original romantic vocalist and song writer with
the repor and nuance of   Portuguese lyricism due to her
Dutch/English heritage and summer vacations with her grand parents in
Portugal, Fleurine has a special unique talent and with the help of
Brad Mehldau, Chris Potter and guitarist Chico Pinheiro and it shines
in a most distinctive way you'll find sensual and intriguing. How she
can turn a simple song, “The Roses” into a wonderful jazz piece
with Brad Mehldau is a key to this great cd.
ROB
SCHNEIDERMAN     GLASS ENCLOSURE Reservoir Records
Pianist Rob Schneiderman revives the joy of bebop in his
new cd, “Glass Enclosure” with originals featuring alto
saxophonist Charles McPherson whose understanding of bebop in a
treasure and along with Bud Powell tunes, “Glass Enclosure,”
“Buster  
Rides Again,” and Parker's “Yardbird Suite” and
Gigi Gryce, “Social Call.”
ALISON
RUBLE    THIS IS A BIRD Origin
Records
Alison Ruble's soft reassuring sensual voice associated
with guitarist John McLean and the intimacy of their arrangements
especially on Porter's “So In Love,” “Skylark,” “We Kiss In
A Shadow,” “Lazy Afternoon,”  her beautiful minimalism,
(letting the lyric tell the story) and McLean's personal folk
acoustic joy with interesting side ventures by pianist Jo Ann
Daugherty and reed player Jim Gailloreto.  These are songs you've
heard before and not quite like this.  The center of all this is the
marvelous sophisticated style of Alison Ruble.
Dick Crockett
“The
Voice” 88,7fm  
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