Each month we provide a series of CD reviews plus "Star Rated" items.

You can listen to clips of some of our picks. You'll need a RealAudio Player to do this, and you can download by clicking on the following icon:

Our reviewing staff members are:

John Sutherland: John has a keen interest in piano jazz and brings with him a wealth of knowledge in this area.

Robert Fogle: Rob is Director of Musical Services for Fogle Entertainment in Toronto, as well he hosts his own radio programme on CHRY-FM (105.5). His background as a fan, in jazz music is extensive, and he is a serious collector of all genres of the music.

Colin Smith: Colin began his interest in jazz in his native Jamaica, and since settling in Toronto has become more involved in the music he loves. He is the school programme director for the Markham Jazz Festival and hosts his own jazz show on CKLN-FM (88.1).

Bob Eckersley: Bob Eckersley emigrated from England in 1957 and settled in Owen Sound (Northern Ontario), where he worked as an inspector for the government on Highway construction. His interest in jazz started during the war years, and though he is not a trained musicologist, he listens from the heart and judges accordingly.

By way of identification, reviewer's initials are inserted at the end of each review.

Previous Picks

Various - Tease! -" The Best of Burlesque"

This is a strange assemblage of selections put together to meet the expectations suggested by the title. They are drawn from recordings made from 1952 to 1961, all presumably for their "bump and grind" elements. Included are orchestrated pieces by Elmer Bernstein, Creed Taylor, David Rose "The Stripper", and Candido "Blue Prelude", while reedmen Sam 'The Man' Taylor (3 numbers), Sil Austin, Red Prysock, Charlie Parker, and Roland Kirk are also featured. Slim Gaillard's 1952 rendition of "St. Louis Blues" seems a particularly odd choice; moreover, the accredited leadership of Barney Kessel to the vocalized version of "Honey Rock" is suspect. For those who must have everything!

J.S.

Verve B00043902

Ruth Young - "This is Always"
Diane Marino - "A Sleepin' Bee"
Mary Panacci - "Concert Selections"

It would be difficult to select 3 vocalists with a greater divergency of stylistic pursuits than those listed here.

Ruth Young, in this her debut album, strongly reflects the "cool yet dark and appealingly fragile" vocal stylings of jazz trumpeter Chet Baker with whom she lived and travelled for almost a decade (1973-82). A fond dedication to Chet, many of the standards are those closely linked to him, and musical accompanists such as Herb Geller - alto and Wolfgang Lackerscmid - vibes have personal ties to Baker. As the liner notes suggest, "…this is what intimate singing is all about".

Vibrant and dynamic perhaps best encapsulates the vocal delivery of Diane Marino who also accompanies herself at the keyboard. Her facility with Brazilian Portuguese (3 numbers) and Latin treatment of such pieces as Parker's "My Little Suede Shoes" or Benny Golson's "Killer Joe" highlight her vocal and pianistic virtuosity. Yet, with sensitive support from that same trio (sax/flute, bass, drums), she can capture the lyrical beauty inherent in such standards as "Angel Eyes" or "You Don't Know What Love Is". A good balance of vocal and instrumental.

This is not a jazz recording per se, but rather a cross-section of musical sources designed exclusively to showcase the voice of multi-talented singer Mary Panacci. Indeed, whether the challenge is a Broadway show tune "Memory", an operatic aria "O Mio Babbino Caro", a classic popular number "La Vie En Rose", or a jazz-derived selection "Loverman" she sounds comfortably in control. Though credits are extensive, little information is given the purchaser about the vocalist herself. Musical support is excellent. Silverbirch Productions is of Canadian origin.

J.S.

Young - Nagel Heyer 2051
Marino - M&M 102051
Panacci - Silverbirch Productions (no catalogue number)

Various - "The Number 1 Jazz Vocal Album"

Not only does this compilation seek to offer us formidable vocal artists "…at the height of their craft…", but it also serves as a representative sample of the kind of vocal jazz aired over Toronto's only all-jazz FM station. There are 17 different recorded sources ranging chronologically from 1953 (Peggy Lee) to 2004 (Madeline Peyroux). It's a great mix of vocalists, uniting the classic voices of Sarah Vaughan, Ella & Louis, or Billie Holiday with those of such ascending stars as Diana Krall, Holly Cole, or Denzil Sinclaire. Recommended.

J.S.

Jazz.FM91 (Verve)

Ralph Sutton - "It's So Nice It Must Be Illegal"

Recorded live in the tiny town of Amilly, France (1988) before an enthusiastic audience, pianist Ralph Sutton brought his unique though familiar brand of interpretative explorations to 11 numbers, many linked indelibly to such formidable past piano giants as James P. Johnson, Fats Waller, or Willie 'The Lion' Smith. Accompanied admirably by drummer Michael Silva (whom he had only just met), he proved that he was more than merely a keeper of the flame for lovers of stride piano, fusing moments of great delicacy and intricacy with those of foot-stomping joy. The title here says it all!

J.S.

Nagel Heyer CD 094

Guido Basso - "Lost in the Stars"

Montreal born trumpeter/flugelhornist Guido Basso and his rhythm accompanists of Lorraine Desmarais - piano, Michel Donato - bass, Paul Brochu - drums tackle an intriguing programme of both familiar and original numbers bathed in the sumptuous backdrop of a 16-piece string orchestra. Under the guidance of conductor/arranger Phil Dwyer, the quartet is given ample freedom to extemporize, breathing life into the gentle swing of "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" or "Don't Know Why", capturing the lush lyricism of "Lost in the Stars", shifting tempo to the Latinized "The Continental", skilfully resolving Dywer's "Round Midnight Overture" into Monk's own version. The bonus tracks from the live concert warm-up for the studio session (no strings) give us Basso on trumpet and harmonica with Dwyer playing tenor and piano. Recommended.

J.S.

CBC TRCD 3007

Johnny Summers - "Walk Through The Park"

This is a programme of original music. The recording has very good balance and great sound. All tunes are composed and arranged by Summers, who is featured on vocals, trumpet and flugelhorn throughout. The CD has a certain charm with repeated listening, with his pleasing vocal sound, clear diction and great feeling for the lyrics.

His brass playing delivers a crisp, clean and articulate sound; both he and his rhythm section colleagues perform proficiently throughout. No individual track stands out, so whether they make the Great American Songbook remains in doubt, maybe a couple of standards would not have gone amiss.

Unfortunately there is almost no background information on the leader or accompanists on the CD in the liner notes.

B.E.

Independent JSQ-002

Ian McDougall Sextet - "Nights in Vancouver"

A very well played mainstream set by what might be the cream of Vancouver's straight ahead musicians. This very tight sextet made some great music on this live recording at The Cellar Club. The musicianship is impeccable. An excellent version of the opening track "A Night in Tunisia" sets the pace for an exceptional set. It's rather difficult to single out outstanding players; everyone involved plays their part in fine form. Ross Taggart's (a robust tenor player) solo on "Lament for Someone" is particularly haunting. "Mc not Mac and 2 L's" is a McDougall original is a swinging tune to let people know the correct way to spell his name. Icon trombonist Ian McDougall certainly put together an exciting group of West Coast players, and this kind of smoking session is rare today amongst mainstream players. This lively recording puts the listener right in the club and as the liner notes say "Swingin' and straight ahead, just the way I like it".

B.E.

Cellar Live CLO31003