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New Jazz and Blues – 8/31/2021

2B3 – Jimi (Self-produced): “We musicians weave in and out of each others lives.  And, often without really knowing it, The impressions which we obtain from our fellow musicians form these long-lasting bonds both musically and personally. Some relationships are more sticky than others because of commonality in musical tastes and aesthetic.   So it is with 2B3.  Jeff, Mike, and Mike have worked together for nearly 20 years cumulatively.  Our musical passions run parallel – not just in jazz, but in rock, funk, and pop.  The most recent Jimi Hendrix project came about very organically.  We had been playing a lot of Jeff’s writing which recently has been funky organ trio stuff…some of which started really rocking out. Jeff wrote a bunch of arrangements of Prince music, then of Hendrix.  Then I got into it and wrote a few Hendrix arrangements.  After my wife, Laura suggested that I get the band to Europe, I talked to Jeff and MM, and said let’s do this Hendrix project and take it to Europe.  We all agreed wholeheartedly.  So it is with musicians and music. Mike Marlier: When you get a chance to play music you love with musicians you love….that’s the most gratifying experience.  That is certainly the case with this band.” (https://www.2b3trio.com/about2b3) This offering honors Hendrix’ style and abandon without trying to mimic Hendrix. It’s quite enjoyable and respectful and cool! Mike Abbott (guitar), Mike Marlie (drums) and Jeff Jenkins (B3, synthesizer). Click here to listen to a live version of “Manic Depression”.

Acorn – Trippers & Askers – (Sleepy Cat): ”Inspired by the world building, Afrofuturist radicalism of the novel “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler, the latest Trippers & Askers LP “Acorn” blends spiritual jazz and traditional styles in ways that pose fundamental questions about the nature of “American” music…. Inspired by the world building, Afrofuturist radicalism of the novel “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler, the latest Trippers & Askers LP “Acorn” blends spiritual jazz and traditional styles in ways that pose fundamental questions about the nature of “American” music… Side A of “Acorn” deals with the childhood of humanity on earth, with the discovery of Earthseed ushering us to the stars. Side B deals with a “sweet, sad and terrifying” adulthood that is oriented toward the creation of the first Earthseed community, “Acorn.” An album based on the second novel in the series, “Parable of the Talents”, is in process. Acorn was recorded primarily in Durham, North Carolina, and features some of the area’s finest including Andy Stack (Wye Oak, Joyero), Joseph O’Connell (Elephant Micah), Joe Westerlund (Califone, Megafaun), former Sun Ra member Ken Moshesh. Here are some words on the album from songwriter, friend and fellow traveler, Will Stratton.” (https://trippers-and-askers.bandcamp.com/album/acorn) Click here to listen to the songs on this release. 

Jared Dubin – Excuses Excuses (Next Level): “Excuses Excuses reflects upon both the harsh, unsympathetic nature of launching a jazz career in New York and on the tumultuous task undertaken by Dubin in marking a permanent milestone in the annals of his career with the formal release of a debut album. “Whether it be self doubt or a perfectionist attitude towards the project,” Dubin remarks, “its release has been delayed for some time.” While the expression from which the album draws its title may at first glance appear to have negative connotations, Dubin views it to have a more open meaning. “I think of it as a phrase that… can be interpreted in different ways by the listener,” he says. “Perhaps as a criticism of the current sociopolitical climate, or as encouragement for them to fulfill their own dreams and aspirations.” Thematically, Excuses Excuses is a musical reflection on a period of hardship in Dubin’s life. From the difficulties and afflictions of city life, to the complexities of interpersonal strain exacerbated by a new environment, to navigating the tumultuous nature and roles of family in one’s life, Jared Dubin’s debut allows listeners to experience and empathize with the convoluted scenarios life presents from a new and elucidating perspective. Musically, this album draws influence from post-bop, early jazz fusion, hip hop, and 1990s modern jazz. Specifically, Dubin cites jazz rock icon Steely Dan and acclaimed trumpeter Terence Blanchard as holding heavy influence over his music, both in performance and compositional styles. Dubin praises Blanchard’s “big, direct, warm sound,” and “his ability to swing on straight-eighth notes by phrasing with louder upbeats than downbeats” as key elements he has incorporated and pushed further in his own playing. As a composer, Dubin admires Blanchard’s “memorable melodies on top of rich, interesting harmonies, and compelling bass lines.” Excuses Excuses opens with a track entitled “The Breaks,” whose inspiration and name comes from the continuous string of bad luck and negative situations Dubin experienced when first arriving in Brooklyn. With a strong melody, unique form, and distinctive vamp, “The Breaks” is a powerful opener and features solos from both Dubin and his lifelong friend and musical colleague, Nick Biello. The album also features an original composition that shares its name. The track “Excuses Excuses” utilizes a dirty, bluesy bassline as its foundation. The soulful harmony of the track features use of a Rhodes piano, electric bass, and Stratocaster, creating something that sounds halfway between the aesthetic of Steely Dan and the strong groove of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. In addition to the album’s composer and bandleader Jared Dubin on trombone, Excuses Excuses features Nick Biello on alto saxophone, Syberen van Munster on guitar, Sebastien Ammann on Rhodes keyboard and piano, Russ Flynn on electric bass, and Danny Wolf on drums.” (https://www.outsideinmusic.com/pressreleases/excuses-excuses-jared-dubin) Click here to listen to the title song, “Excuses Excuses”.

Donald Edwards – The Color Of US Suite (Criss Cross): “Timing is everything, and as Donald Edwards continues to make recordings, we are able to hear the clarity of his development as a composer and artist. The Color Of US Suite throws the door open to the levers of power and opportunity in rebellion against systems engaging in fundamentally inimical propositions 2021against the humanity of Black people. Art is not created in a vacuum, it represents the culmination of the total breath of one’s life experiences represented through a creative medium. It is a direct reflection of the tenor of the times in which it is created. So where talent meets preparation and discipline, at the cross roads these attributes come together for the best expression of artistic genius. Learning and knowing continues to be a hallmark of exceptional talent – the more you know, the more you can do. This recording carries with it the total range in expressions of the freedom concept, the obsession with hope through the infatuation of dreams – the disappointment, anger, and love for the framing of our evolving paradigm from within the prism of democracy. Donald captures those gradations of condition in a high-minded representation of passion, delivered with high-skilled precision, and soulful highs that are as exciting to the gutbucket enthusiast as it is intriguing for the high-brow aficionado.” (https://www.challengerecords.com/products/16232347798533) Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this release.

Al Hammerman – Just A Dance (Whistle Wind): “Just A Dance – the 5th album by St. Louis based lyricist and composer Al Hammerman – is a welcome addition to the pantheon of great pop and jazz records. Hammerman’s songs enchant the ears with jazz harmonies and memorable melodies tinged with pop, blues and Latin influences. Hammerman has assembled an all-star group of vocalists and musicians for this record. These world class arrangements and performances help make these songs instant classics. His catchy melodies and sophisticated lyrics often stay with the listener long after the song has ended…. Songwriter Al Hammerman ranges widely on Just a Dance, assisted by a gaggle of singers who take lead vocals on different tracks. The voices enhance the variety. Alan Cox sounds like one of Frank and Dino’s pals on “What Else,” a snappy number that speaks like Oceans 11. Moving on from there, Erin Bode comes to the fore on the ‘70s-ish soft rock of “Everybody Knows”; Fezya Eren recalls female jazz vocalists of the ‘50s on “Been Through the Blues” and Brian Owens suggests the droll tones of Mose Allison on “Right on Riverside.” (https://shepherdexpress.com/music/album-reviews/just-a-dance-by-al-hammerman/) Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this release.

Larry McDonough Quartet – Kind Of Bill On The Palace Grounds (Self-produced): “William John Evans (August 16, 1929 – September 15, 1980) was an American jazz pianist and composer who mostly worked as the leader of a trio.[2] His use of impressionist harmony, interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, block chords, and trademark rhythmically independent, “singing” melodic lines continues to influence jazz pianists today. Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, United States, he was classically trained at Southeastern Louisiana University and the Mannes School of Music, in New York City, where he majored in composition and received the Artist Diploma. In 1955, he moved to New York City, where he worked with bandleader and theorist George Russell. In 1958, Evans joined Miles Davis’s sextet, which in 1959, then immersed in modal jazz, recorded Kind of Blue, the best-selling jazz album ever.[3]  In late 1959, Evans left the Miles Davis band and began his career as a leader, with bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian, a group now regarded as a seminal modern jazz trio. In 1961, two albums were recorded at in an engagement at New York’s Village Vanguard jazz club, Sunday at the Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debby; a complete set of the Vanguard recordings on 3CDs was issued decades later. However, ten days after this booking ended, LaFaro died in a car accident. After months of seclusion, Evans reemerged with a new trio, featuring bassist Chuck Israels.” (https://composersforum.org/event/kind-of-bill-on-the-palace-grounds-marking-40-years-since-the-death-of-bill-evans/) Click here for a sampler.

Steve Million & Sarah Marie Young – Jazz Words (Self-produced): “A 2015 session from the mighty Million that doesn’t fit in with the rest of his ouveur, he’s brought in a hipster vocalist and the mix has a real 50s thrush lp feel to it. Pulsing with the kind of post bop swing suburbanites weren’t afraid to bring home to rec rooms in nascent suburbs, Million comes to this sound organically via his award winning ways and makes the most of it here. This is how you daddio it in coolsville.” (http://midwestrecord.com/MWRBlog.html) Million’s piano and Sarah Marie Young’s vocals are a beautiful combination and they are also backed by Jim Gailloreto (sax, flute), John Sims (bass) and Juan Pastor (drums). Hip chirps! Click here to listen to “Missing Page” from this release.

Luke Carlos O’Reilly – 3 Suites (Prospect Hill): “Luke Carlos O’Reilly is an award winning pianist who has always had a passion for music. Whether it be Jazz, Soul, R&B, Gospel, Latin Jazz, Classical or any other genre, Luke was drawn to good music at an early age. When he was four years old, he and his mother started taking group piano lessons together. By age ten he had began to study the saxophone as well. It was the introduction of Oscar Peterson’s music at the age of fourteen that steered Luke in the direction of Jazz… In 2011, Luke independently released his debut solo album, ‘Living In The Now’. The album featured several of his own compositions, as well as a few arrangements on some popular standards… At the end of 2013, Luke released his second independent album, ’3 Suites’. This album contains three very distinct elements: Songs composed by Luke’s trio, creative arrangements of some unusual covers featuring a vocalist, and. a cluster of compositions written by recently deceased jazz pianist George Duke, Cedar Walton and Mulgrew Miller….” (https://phillymusiclab.com/portfolio/luke-carlos-oreilly/) Click here to listen to “Mr. Grumpy”, an O’Reilly original.

Peter Tijerina – Just Yesterday (Outside In Music): “Peter Tijerina is an acclaimed trombonist, composer, and educator in both jazz and classical music worlds. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Peter moved to the state of Washington while still in junior high school, where he became exposed to the soulful and exuberant music of the Pentecostal church…. As a jazz and commercial trombonist, Peter has performed with Milonga and Son Dulce Latin bands, the Sun Messengers, The Katie Flynn Cabaret, and the Lansing Symphony Jazz Band. He has also played alongside world-renown jazz musicians, including Rodney Whitaker, Randy Gillespie (aka “Uncle G”), Xavier Davis, Diego Rivera, Randy Napoleon, Etienne Charles, Christian McBride, Robin Eubanks, Peter Bernstein, Brian Lynch, Jimmy Cobbs, Kenny Barron, and Tim Warfield.” Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this release.

Brandee Younger – Somewhere Different (Impulse): “Harpist and composer Brandee Younger has joined Impulse! Records to release her major-label debut album Somewhere Different. The album blends the sounds of jazz, classical music, R&B, hip-hop and funk into one genre-defying recording. Harpist and composer Brandee Younger has joined Impulse! Records to release her major-label debut album Somewhere Different. The album blends the sounds of jazz, classical music, R&B, hip-hop and funk into one genre-defying recording…. With Somewhere Different, the artist touches on a number of musical and emotional themes while maintaining a cohesive, contemporary sound with a refined focus.” (https://jazz.fm/brandee-younger-somewhere-different-impulse-records/) Click here to listen to the opening song on this release, “Reclamation”.

Various Artists – Art Of Protest (Sonic Portraits Jazz): “Art Of Protest” is a Various Artists Compiliation on the Sonic Portraits Jazz record label (August 13, 2021 release) produced by Robert Irving III known for his nine year collaboration with Miles Davis. “The project explores the softer side of protest with songs that poignantly approach protest through a philosophical lens without sacrificing heart and soul,” explains the producers. The project is a eclectic mix of jazz, world music, hip hop, classical and neo gospel featuring the producers Robert Irving III & Senabella Gill with vocalist/songwriter/award winning actress, Laura Walls, jazz diva Dee Alexander, vocalist/composer/dancer Mia Rebel, acclaimed electronic music producer/spoken-word artist, Jeremiah Jae (also the project’s graphic designer), America’s Got Talent semi-finalist, Sharon Irving, classical piano prodigy, Joshua Mhoon (pronounced Moon) and the world music aggregation Diasporic Progeny, which includes cultural historian Bikbaye Inejnema and popular television actor, Aaron D. Spears; both on spoken word. Gill’s collaborations with Robert Irving III, “Strange Fruit (That Bitter Crop)” and “Dream a Dream” transverse “disparity juxtaposed with hope that makes the experience of African Americans so complex. It is the former of these two compositions that inspired the creation of this compilation. The core musicians include Chicago All-Stars Charles “Rick” Heath IV on drums, Josh Ramos on bass, James Perkins Jr. on woodwinds and Corey Wilkes on trumpet with Irving as pianist/ arranger and musical director. Track 05 also features drummer, Vince Wilburn Jr. (nephew of Miles Davis) and guitarist, Andre Lassalle (Burnt Sugar) and bassist, Frank Russell (Ladysmith Black Mambazo). The “Art Of Protest” offers twelve protest songs varying “Strange Fruit (That Bitter Crop) and “Lift Every Voice And Sing” to several new topical songs released in the past few months, such as Robert Irving III’s “Riot (Enjoy The Fire)” and Laura E. Walls’ “Ode To Dark Men”. It is accessible while still reminding each of us that there is plenty of improvement needed to honor the respect and honest equality many of us take for granted. Click here to listen to “I Remember The Future” from this collection.

New Blues News:

Hector Anchondo – Let Loose Those Chains (VizzTone): “For Héctor Anchondo, the third time really became the charmed one. Anchondo entered the 2020 International Blues Challenge in the solo/duo category and came away with the top prize: winning the solo/duo category. He also took home the Memphis Cigar Box Guitar Award for best guitarist in the solo/duo competition, where he performed representing the Blues Society of Omaha…. Anchondo plans to continue touring with the Héctor Anchondo Band while also “doing more solo shows. Even a solo album is in the future. Some tours I’ll have some solo shows mixed in. Hopefully I’ll be able to have the guys play in those too, but in an acoustic setting.”(https://www.hectoranchondo.com/about) Click here for “Let Loose Those Chains” !

Lindsay Beaver & Brad Stivers – Lindsay Beaver & Brad Stivers (VizzTone): “Lindsay Beaver and Brad Stivers are two of the hottest young singers and musicians coming out of the Austin, Texas music scene – Lindsay known for her intense, fearless vocals and drumming, and Brad for his ferocious guitar playing and signature vocal style. Beaver hails from Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Stivers made his mark in Colorado before they both were drawn to Austin where their exceptional musical chemistry came together. Brad released his VizzTone debut in 2017 and Lindsay’s Alligator album dropped in 2018. In 2020 Brad released an EP and Lindsay did a single with old friend Jimmie Vaughan. For their self-titled duo debut they went to the Halifax studio of Garrett Mason, one of Canada’s premier blues musicians, along with Joe Murphy and Barry Cooke, plus guest guitarists Kirk Fletcher and Zach Zunis. The 12 powerful tracks, including 11 originals, showcase their musical depth in Blues, Americana, and Soul.” (https://www.americanbluesscene.com/lindsay-beaver-and-brad-stivers-premiere-hard-driving-texas-soul-on-one-condition/) Click here and scroll down to listen to “One Condition” a stone killer from this release.

Ted Hefko & The Thousandaires – Down Below (VizzTone): “For more than two decades, Ted Hefko has plied his trade as a saxophonist, clarinetist, singer and strummer of guitars, but first and foremost he is a songsmith, rooted in the blues. His band, Ted Hefko and The Thousandaires, — with Hefko on vocals, guitar and tenor sax — brings raw life lessons and stories – ones of hope and hustlers, saints and strays, drifters and the down-and-out – to life with the rough-hewn tone of backwoods folk, and the raucous vibrancy of classic Louisiana Rhythm and Blues. Their 2018 album, Gas Station Guru, received high acclaim, streaming on airways across the world. Since that time, Ted and the band have been hard at work on their newest album, Down Below, diving deep and digging into the ups and downs of life. The album features a cross section of New Orleans talent, blending Hefko’s jazz and folk roots with a new electric country/Americana sound. Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Hefko began writing lyrics in the second grade and picked up the guitar and sax just a few years later. Fresh out of high school, he caught a Greyhound bus down I-55 to follow his dreams. After honing his chops in New Orleans, Ted began touring across the US, and gigging around town. Hefko made big moves to New York City in 2003, following his heart and trying his hand at big city life. After some years working as a movie extra and playing gigs of every sort, he began leading his own groups and writing original songs, pulling in early influences from blues, country and folk songs he loved as a child. This is Hefko’s fifth release and the sound has a strong country tone. The backing includes some horns. Click here to listen to a live performance of “My Life in Bars”, a song on this release.

Hughes Taylor – Modern Nostalgia (The Bent Note): “Modern Nostalgia is the 4th studio album from Hughes Taylor and is his best yet. Recorded at the legendary Capricorn Sound Studios in Macon, GA, the music on this record is a sweet mix of blues, blues-rock, and southern rock that is reminiscent of the great music that put Capricorn on the map many years ago.” (https://store.hughestaylormusic.com/album/modern-nostalgia) “Assembling a truly impressive array of musicians to bring his sonic vision to fruition, Taylor leads the charge with blazing guitars and a bluesy style that checks all the boxes for classic rock aficionados and modern Southern Rock enthusiasts.” (https://www.soundandsoulonline.com/2021/07/01/hughes-taylor-band-to-celebrate-new-album-at-historic-grants-lounge-on-july-9th/) Click here to listen to “Quarantine Blues” a Taylor composition from this release.   Click here to listen to samples of all songs.

Brad Vickers & his Vestapolitans – The Music Gets Us Thru (Man Hat Tone): “Brad Vickers learned on the job playing, touring, and recording with America’s blues and roots masters: Jimmy Rogers, Hubert Sumlin, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Odetta, Sleepy LaBeef, Rosco Gordon, and Pinetop Perkins—with whom Brad had the good fortune to play on the Grammy-nominated discs, “Born in the Delta” (Telarc) and “Ladies’ Man” (MC)—to name just a few.Now his own group, The Vestapolitans, offers a good-time mix of originals and covers spanning blues, ragtime, hill country breakdowns, and more great American roots ’n’ roll.” (https://bradvickers.com/bio-epk)  Click here to listen to “The Music Gets Us Thru” from this disc. 

Kopasetocally,

Professor Bebop