Guy Barker - Isn't It? Year: 1991
Style or Subgenre: Post Bop
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This is an interesting collection of post bop originals, standards, and obscurities. The playing is both solid and lively, but the key to enjoying it is hearing the little tweaks of uniqueness along the way. The sound is consistently bright, which may be just right, or a bit much depending on the listener's mood.
Renee Olstead - Renee Olstead Year: 2004
Style or Subgenre: Standards, Pop, Vocal Jazz
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Carol Duboc - All Of You Year: 2005
Style or Subgenre: Vocal Jazz
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Molly Ringwald - except Sometimes Year: 2013
Style or Subgenre: Pop Standards, Vocal Jazz
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In 2004, 14 year old child TV star (the sitcom Still Standing) Renee Olstead, who had previously recorded a rather horrendous country album, was rediscovered, and reimagined, as a vocalist by producer David Foster. With all that help, this is a far better album than you'd expect from a 14 year old, although more pop standards focused than real jazz. She opens with a nice rendition of "Summertime," does an impressive job with "Taking a Chance on Love," and somehow pulls off a sharp cut of "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby." Impressive for a 14 year old indeed. But then that caveat is still there. Through much of the album, while voice is appealing and technique solid, it's just too easy to tell that these themes are being sung by someone who just hasn't had the life experience to fully interpret them.
A year later, a more mature Carol Duboc dropped another pop standard oriented vocal album with predictably better results. The 13 cuts are roughly evenly split between originals and a variety of covers ranging from the very traditional to the Police's "Spirits in the Material World," all performed in a modestly sultry jazz lounge style, which works far more often than not. The opening title cut is a fine original, followed by fresh renditions of "Sunny" and "Ain't no Sunshine," a sequencing I find rather interesting. Then comes the next original, "Empty," which is where Duboc really begins to shine. Were Duboc capable and/or predisposed to put out an album of all originals, I think I would have liked that even more.
Hey, as long as I'm listening to teen stars, I figured I may as well throw on Molly Ringwald's album. Yes, another pop standards issue with just enough swing at times to hint at the periphery of jazz. I went into this one with no expectations and was pleasantly surprised as Ringwald does a seriously appealing job with the opening "Sooner or Later." Not all the album carries that level of appeal, but I stuck with it more than most critics. Oh, and in case you're wondering, yes, she does make a run at "Don't You Forget About Me"; most will be happy to stick with the original soundtrack on that one.
Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby (from Renee Olstead)
Al Di Meola - Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody Year: 2011
Style or Subgenre: World Jazz, Fusion
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Al Di Meola - Elysium Year: 2015
Style or Subgenre: Contemporary Jazz, Fusion
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A nice morning with fusion shredder turned world music aficionado Al Di Meola. The earlier alum is especially strong in the world music side, with a strong gypsy flavor. Personally, this ends up being one of my less favored Di Meola Albums, but still has it's moments. Although he really does make them very Di Meola, I prefer to skip the covers of Strawberry Fields and Over the Rainow. The later album, I love through and through. Although still very international, It's a little lighter on the world music influences, and particularly strong in acoustic guitar performance. While I grew up loving electric fusion shredder Di Meola, this is now one of my more favored Di Meola albums.
Rufus Harley - Courage: The Atlantic Recordings Recording Date: 1965 - 1970
Release Date: 2006
Style or Subgenre: Bagpipe Jazz?
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And now for something completely different.... bagpipe jazz!
The cool thing about this is that it is no mere novelty item. This is legit jazz (and blues). Interestingly, putting this very not jazz instrument in a jazz setting makes it more listenable to my ear.
Barbara Dennerlein - Straight Ahead
Year: 1988
Style or Subgenre: Hard Bop, Post Bop, Jazz Blues
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You might wanna' strap in for this one' with her midi organ, Barbara Dennerliein swings, jams the blues, and flat out rocks. She is one lively cat, and has fantastic feel and groove underlying all that rambunctious energy. Sometimes her sidemen just seem rambunctious, but never to the point of distraction and Dennerlein herself is the real deal. A very fun album.
Wynton Marsalis - Live at the House of Tribes Recording Date: 2002
Release Date: 2005
Style or Subgenre: Post Bop, Mainstream Jazz
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This is a top notch live Marsalis set. He and his crew swing from forward leaning hard bop to beautiful balladry to extreme high speed hard bop, to traditional standards, all well delivered, in this set of six mostly long songs. The venue is small for a performer of Marsalis' stature, and the audible crowd are clearly into it. I would expect this performance to appeal to a wide range of jazz fans.
Fred Jackson - Hootin' 'n Tootin' Year: 1962
Style or Subgenre: Soul Jazz
Fred Jackson didn't record much, and this was his only date as leader, which is a shame, because this album is a delight. A lost Blue Note soul jazz classic!
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto - Midnight Sugar Year: 1974
Style or Subgenre: Post Bop, Jazz Blues
This was a very listenable set of post bop jazz blues from the little known Tsuyoshi Yamamoto trio. By listenable, I mean pleasant and not overly challenging on one hand and yet unique and intriguing enough to hold my interest on the other hand. A most welcome find.
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