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Michael Hill's
Blues Mob - "Have Mercy"
Hard driving sounds
from Hill's Mob from New York, not the expected Chicago. Hill's
voice is inspired by B.B.King and his guitar playing has that
raw rock edge to it. Superb backing by Tony Lewis - drums, E.J.Sharpe
- keyboards and Peter Cummings - bass, with some very special
guests, Roger Byam's sax solos are a real treat, and the Gabriel
Horns add punch that will lift your speakers off the floor.
Alligator ALCD 4845 To Order
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 | William Clarke
- "The Hard Way"
This is Clarke's fourth recording for the Alligator label and
his fans will notice a change in his presentation here. The Harmonica
expert leans heavily on the jazz influences, listen to "The
Boss", "Fishing Blues", "Moten Swing"
and "Walkin'". He is equally at home both sides of
the fence, check out his interpretation of Muddy Waters "Evil"
and his own originals "Fishing Blues", "Last Monday
Morning". This is music from the heart.
Alligator ALCD 4842 To Order
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 | C.J.Chenier
- "The Big Squeeze" One
of the remaining monarchs of Cajun music brings us another gem
in the New Orleans tradition. The temperature is set at HIGH
from the first track "Au Contraire, Mon Frere"and rises
through the other 13 tracks on this CD.
Alligator ALCD 4844 To Order
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 | Son Seals
- "Live-Spontaneous Combustion"
Guitarist
Seals always appears to release more energy in the live recordings,
and this session done before a very enthusiastic audience in Chicago
is no exception. The band gets into a groove right off the top
and builds with each tune encouraged by the audience. Seals never
sounded better, this one is a must for your collection.
Alligator ALCD 4846 To Order
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Freddie Hubbard
- "The Body & Soul"
Impulse
have recently reissued a series of exceptional recordings complete
with the original liner notes and a couple with additional tracks.
This time the recording quality has been enhanced by 20-Bit Super
Mapping, and on my sound system I do notice a distinct difference.
More warmth, seperation is more defined and overall clearer (not
to be confused with the high end cleanliness or sterile) sound.
IMPD-183 To Order
Apart from the Freddie Hubbard,
the following are also highly recommended:
Coleman Hawkins
- "Today and Now"
Always
one of my favourite Hawkins recordings, I think I can finally
let my treasured LP copy of this go. Recorded in 1962, it still
sounds vibrant and fresh today, something to treasure in better
sound.
IPMD-184 To Order
John Coltrane
- "Live at Birdland"
This
is the session which included the wonderful version of "Alabama",
which according to the additional liner notes here was inadvertantly
included as take 4. In this release Impulse have wisely include
the full performance of both take 4 and 5. Also included is a
bonus track of a tune called "Villia" which previously
had only been available on an album called "The Definitive
Jazz Scene-volume 3". Wonderful Coltrane music.
IPMD-198 To Order
John Coltrane
- "Meditations"
More
music from the late period of John Coltrane,
this is one of those recordings that require close study. John
takes ideas garnered from Albert Ayler and Pharoah Sanders and
produces a powerful and unforgettable work of art. Like "A
Love Supreme" "Meditations" focuses on Coltrane's
relogious concerns. With him on this session are Pharoah Sanders,
McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, Elvin Jones and Rashied Ali.
IMPD-199 To Order
John Coltrane
- "Crescent"
From
1964, just prior to "Love Supreme" and the change to
the New Thing, as his music came to be known, we have "Crescent"
a magnificent session with his then road band, Tyner, Garrison
and Jones performing "Wise One, "Bessie's Blues",
"Lonnie's Lament", "The Drum Thing" and the
title track "Crescent".
Alice Coltrane
- "Ptah, The El Daoud"
Alice
(McLeod) Coltrane was, in the early 1960's, pianist with the very
popular vibist Terry Gibbs Quartet. Her change in direction came
when she heard John Coltrane one evening at Birdland, where the
Gibbs Quartet were playing opposite that of Coltrane's. She later
married Coltrane and began playing in his band. These particular
sessions come from a period when she led her own group which included
Pharoah Sanders,who also ppeared with John's group. Also with
Pharoah in this recording are Ron Carter, Ben Riley and Joe Henderson.Alice
plays Piano and Harp and all the compositions are her originals.
Count Basie
- "and the Kansas City 7"
During
his lengthy recording career Basie never really got the chance
to record much in a small group format, a few sides in quartet
format from 1938, sextet sides for Columbia in 1942, a few things
for the Pablo label in the later years, but it was mostly the
Big Band where you heard Bill Basie. These recordings are , however
the real gems, and it is great to hear them again . The complete
session from March 21/22 1962 with sparkling solos from Basie
on piano & organ, Thad Jones - trumpet, Frank Wess - flute/alto
flute, Frank Foster - tenor/clarinet, Eddie Jones - bass and
Sonny Payne - drums. Outstanding Basie and then some.
IMPD-202 To Order
Eric Reed
- "Musicale"
Intro
to track one is happiness, and it continues through each track.
Whether in trio, quartet or quintet settings the music on this
CD comes across as a bright conversation with plenty of humour.
And according to leader pianist Reed this is really a social gathering
not a recording. Conversationalists include Gregory Hutchinson
- drums, Ben Wolfe - bass, Nicholas Payton - trumpet, Wessell
Anderson - alto, Wycliffe Gordon - trombone, and on some tracks
Ron Carter takes over the bass chair and Karriem Riggins the
drum chair. You will note a very strong Horace Silver influence
in Eric's playing, and that is always happiness.
IMPD-196 To Order
 | Holly Cole
- "It Happened One Night" Canadian
vocalist Cole's newest Compact Disc was recorded one night (June
28th 1995) at the St.Denis Theatre in Montreal, Quebec during
the Jazz Festival in front of a very receptive audience. Straying
from her usual trio setting Holly has added Kevin Breit - guitar
and Dougie Bowne - drums and percussion. The addition of these
musicians gives another level of excitement to her music, they
tend to blend extremely well with the ideas and improvisation
of Aaron Davis - piano and David Piltch - bass, but are never
obstrusive. Play this on your CD Rom while you work, or on your
home Stereo system, either way you will find great satisfaction
in listening to consummate artists.
Alert Music Inc. Z2-81030 To Order
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 | David Piltch/Aaron
Davis - "Feast" The
other two members of the Holly Cole Trio engage in a gourmet feast
of sounds featuring mostly original compositions by either David
or Aaron. With Piltch's bass work you not only experience the
auditory sensations, but your entire body feels the sonic vibrations,
and Davis's keyboard explorations have a melodic charm that embrace
each piece played. An impressive support team has been enlisted
to participate on selected tracks, multi-talented reed man Ron
Allen plays bamboo flute, Kevin Breit - guitar and Yanuziello
Dobro, David's brother Robert - guitar, Mark Kelso - drums and
Trevor Tureski - vibes, making for an impressive recording, and
the sound (for audiophiles interest) is superb.
Alert Music Inc. Z2-81031 To Order
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 | NOJO - "Firewater"
This is a 16
piece band playing some rather challenging charts. Under the co-leadership of
guitarist Michael Occhipinti and pianist Paul Neufeld the band
at times seems inspired by Carla Bley and Maria Schneider, though
I feel certain that my observations are quite different than those
of either Michael or Paul. Exceptional soloists create their
own tapestry within the very difficult pieces performed, and leaves
one wondering what the next path one is going to led to. I am
particularily fond of the "Nelson Algren Suite" which
takes up a little over sixteen minutes of the CD with some outstanding
solos by Scott Suttie - bass trombone, Kenny Kirkwood - baritone,
Pat LaBarbera - tenor, Kevin Turcotte - trumpet and Michael Occhipinti
- guitar. Other outstanding tracks are "Art to Arthur"
featuring Don Laws - trombone, Roy Styffe - alto, John Obercian
- drums and Turcotte and Kirkwood. It is the composing and arranging
that really strikes the listener and holds the attention throughout
the 75 plus minutes on this exhilerating recording.
Auracle Records AURC D1004 To Order
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Joe Sealy
"Africville Suite"
After
a sneak preview of the recording (live presentation) at the 1996
du Maurier Downtown Tornto Jazz Festival the Compact disc is now
available and well worth the wait. The musical story of the Black
Community of Africville in Halifax, Nova Scotia is presented by
pianist/composer Joe Sealy with some exceptional assistance by
Jackie Richardson, Sharon Lee Williams, Faith Chorale, Dutch Robinson,
Don Francks, Phil Dwyer, Mark Kelso, Daniel Barnes, Mike Murley,
Rob Piltch, Michael Stuart and Joe's partner bassist Paul Novotny.
Inspired as a tribute to Joe's father whose birthplace was Africville,
Joe's music is a startling picture of some of the things that
happened there. From the opening poetry one hears searing jazz
solos, poignant choral work, sensitive guitar and soprano sax
and joyous outbursts (listen to "Duke's in Town").The "Africville"
show will shortly be taking to the road for a cross Canada tour,
if they come anywhere near where you live be sure to see them,
in the interim pick up the CD and have a preview of some real
Canadiana.
SEA JAM 1005-2 To Order
 | Phil Nimmons
"Atlantic Suite/Suite P.E.I./Tributes Finally
the much lauded "Atlantic Suite" has been made available
as a reissue, it was only available on LP format for some time,
but now on CD it has also brought about the release of other
material by the Nimmons Band - (Nimmons 'n' Nine plus Six) some
of which has not been available before. There are two big band recordings
for the Verve label which were supervised by Oscar Peterson, but
you will only find these as LP's in some garage sale or amongst
some lucky collector's peronal collection. But these sides are
exciting examples of the writing, arranging and playing skills
of Phil Nimmons, and it is indeed a joy to hear them. The "Atlantic Suite"
was written as a tribute to the audiences that gave the band such
a warm reception when it toured the Eastern provinces in 1974.
And it later won a Juno award as best jazz record of the year
in 1976. There are plenty of inspired solos by members of the
band including Art Ellefson, Herbie Spanier, Dave Field, Tom Csezsniak,
Keith Jollimore, Andy Krehm, Stan Perry and the chief himself,
Phil. "Suite P.E.I." features a smaller unit with Guido
Basso, Rob McConnell, Moe Koffman, Gary Morgan, Bruce Harvey,
Ed Bickert, Don Thompson and Terry Clarke, but the only soloist
in this 17 plus minute piece is Phil on clarinet. This was recorded
at the CNE Bandshell in 1973, and Phil is in top shape with his
very distinctive style of playing. "Tributes" is the
big band again with some personel changes from a 1979 session
which was never released until now, and what a wonderful addition
to this two CD set it is. Again the writing stands out as fresh
today as it was then, and the soloists exhibit complete comfort
and confidence with the charts. This is wonderful music from
a master of the art of jazz, and a remarkable warm human being
as well. Thank you Phil.
Sackville SK2CD 5003 To Order
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 | Albert Nicholas/Henri
Chaix "Baden 1969" New
Orleans clarinetist Nicholas captured in concert in Switzerland
with the Henri Chaix trio. Pianist Chaix was no stranger to the
expatriate American's style of playing, he had already made quite
a name for himself as an able musical assistant to the likes of
Buck Clayton and Rex Stewart as well as making a series of recordings
for the Swiss Philips label. So when this opportunity presented
itself he was indeed ready and he proves it again and agian in
his choice of solo work in this setting. Nicholas was in great form
too (he died in Basel in 1973) and his choice of material is
appropriate for the backing trio to work with. This was a very
happy event and we should be grateful it was recorded for posterity.
Sackville SKCD2-2045 To Order
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 | Pat Metheny
Group - "Quartet" Recorded
after a lengthy road tour in May of 1996 the band this time stays
as close to the use of acoustic instruments as possible, reaching
another plateau in their musical journey. I did not realize this
band had been together for so long. The first recordings were
done in 1977 at which time Lyle Mays joined. Steve Rodby replaced
Mark Egan in 1980 and Paul Wertico replaced Dan Gottlieb in 1982.
A long time for any band to stay together and still produce exciting
music. The music on this CD is exciting and all the compositions
are fresh and are loaded with unexpected twists and turns that
hold one entranced throughout. Favourite tracks are "Oceania",
"Language of Time" and "Sometimes I see".
Geffen GEFD-25118 To Order
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