Aliéksey Vianna Quartet – Ancient Myths Recording Date: 2021
Release Date: 2022
Style or Subgenre: Contemporary Jazz
I really liked the different instrumentation for a quartet: clarinet, guitar, bass, vibes. That said, and even considering the music is nicely arranged and expertly played, it struck me as close to the nexus of jazz and easy listening/new age, such as you might hear on Windham Hill or Narada. I don't drive much, but today I had to make a couple trips between home office and client site and this made for very nice accompaniment to the uptown commute. I doubt I'll seek it out for much more though.
Eddie Costa – Eddie Costa Quintet Year: 1957
Style or Subgenre: Bop
Eddie Costa is one of those familiar names that it just took me way too long to get around to checking out as a leader. I say way too long because this is an excellent album! Wonderful, spirited bop. Another record that, for me, is made particularly special due to the input of the trumpeter, in this case, Art Farmer.
Last edited by Fischman on 02/09/2023 00:39; edited 1 time in total
Stefano Bollani – Les Fleurs Blueus
Recording Date: 2011
Release Date: 2014
Style or Subgenre: Piano Jazz
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Stefano Bollani is one unique cat. This mix of solo and trio works is relatively straightforward, but his excellent technique and unique form of expression on the keys makes for a remarkable album. Especially on the solo pieces, he employs a deep and dramatic left hand paired with lively dances in the right hand. Compositions are harmonically adventurous at times but always melodious. I like this more with each listen.
Maciej Kądziela –The Taste of the World Year: 2016
Style or Subgenre: Free Jazz, Post Bop
This sax led Polish quartet starts off very free and gradually gains coherence as the album progresses. I wasn't really on board at first, but settled in as things progressed. In the end, adequately interesting to warrant a subsequent listen.
Steve Grossman –Some Shapes to Come Year: 2016
Style or Subgenre: Post Bop, Fusion, Modal Jazz
Coming off a few years of gigging with Miles Davis, sax man led this also stellar fusion oriented outing, considered to be a classic by many. I concur. Very impressive music here.
Baz Trio - L'homme Bleu Year: 2020
Style or Subgenre: Mainstream Jazz, Piano Jazz
Last night's pre-bedtime listen was this wonderful Spanish trio. Whether listening to jazz or classical, I'm a sucker for a great piano trio (even though other than the piano, the instrumentation is different), and this group really hit the spot. Mostly straightforward, but with interesting punctuation, tons of personality, and totally drenched in marvelous melody, this was quite a find.
Doug Hammond & Dave Durrah - Reflections in the Sea of Nurnen Year: 1975
Style or Subgenre: Soul Jazz
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Streamed this for my morning gym workout.
Okay, listen up people.... we got us some truly excellent soul-jazz from 1975 right here. There's also some space interludes, some smooth vocals with social commentary, and a little fusion just to round things out. But it's all killer. What a great, varied, fun, uplifting album!
Buddy Banks - Jazz de Chambre: Jazz in Paris Year: 1954
Style or Subgenre: Cool Jazz, Bop, Hard Bop, West Coast Jazz
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Delightful lunch music today. The four standards here are among the most covered, and these reads are rather straightforward, but I loved them all. Similarly, the remaining originals lie in much the same vein, but were all joyous listens. Nothing but love for this new-to-me discovery.
Harold McNair - Harold McNair Year: 1968
Style or Subgenre: Bop, Hard Bop, Soul Jazz
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Harold McNair - Flute and Nut Year: 1970
Style or Subgenre: Bop, Swing, Big Band
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Got my flute fix in today.... and a style fix across genres as well. Over the course of these two albums, McNair and his ensembles cover bop, hard bop, mainstream jazz, soul jazz, swing, big band, and maybe more. McNair plays sax on a few cuts, but sticks mostly with flute which was right where I wanted to be this afternoon. The style variety kept me humming right along while spending much of the afternoon in the kitchen doing prep work for the evening meal. Good company for creative culinary chores!
Area - Maledetti (Maudits) Year: 1976
Style or Subgenre: Progressive Rock, Free Jazz
I wasn't planning on posting this here. Area are an Italian Progressive Rock outfit. But this album has, in addition to the regular Area membership, free jazz stalwarts Steve Lacy and Paul Lytton. Much of it ends up being a crazy prog rock/free jazz fusion, which can be extremely interesting. I could do without the spoken parts, and there's also some other freaky vocalizations, but the music is stunning. Overall, it's not a problem sitting through the most odd parts in the context of the larger album. This is a standout.
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