RHYTHM & JAZZ April 1995 Vol. 2, No. 4
Copyright (c) 1995 Dan Margules. All rights reserved.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
We never know when to expect onslaughts of new music here at R&J. The
staff and I have all been keeping busy with our personal lives, our day
jobs, our other outside interests. Then, bang! As our April deadline
creeps around the corner we're hit with a bombardment of CDs to review --
and hardly any to toss into the crap pile. Suddenly there's tons of great
contemporary instrumental music coming out again! This is the kind of busy
we like.
The new CD from Nelson Rangell -- whose YES, THEN YES was an R&J Top
Ten-er last year -- just arrived as I am writing this. It's called DESTINY
and, so far, it's shaping up to be his strongest material ever. We've also
been informed of some exciting changes at Nelson's label, GRP. Producer
Tommy LiPuma (Barbra Streisand, Dave Mason, Natalie Cole, Anita Baker,
Miles Davis, David Sanborn, Joe Sample) has left Warner Bros. and taken
over as GRP's new president! With him, he brings jazz superstar George
Benson, whose first album for the label is scheduled for July. I'm sure
we
can expect many more wonderful surprises from LiPuma and GRP in the years
to come.
The winter lull in the concert scene is letting up, too. Recently I
caught the world premiere performance of Erotiques, a band whose first CD
we reviewed in the September 1994 issue of R&J (RJ0994.TXT). They tested
the waters at an Indian reservation outside San Diego. I, for one, was
totally floored at how fluently their romantic sound translates to a hot
stage act. Keiko Matsui (interviewed in R&J last November, RJ1194.TXT)
will play a few special West Coast dates later this month. Her
husband/producer Kazu personally posted the schedule on CompuServe last
week and answered questions from fans about their upcoming projects. Isn't
it great when our favorite artists take the time to give us such direct
access?
COMING SOON: A surprising new release from keyboardist Dan Siegel
entitled HEMISPHERES (Playfull). Siegel breaks free from a formula he's
been trapped in for far too long, concentrating more on texture and world
instrumentation than on the melodic hooks he had already nailed on previous
CDs. HEMISPHERES -- due in stores on April 11 -- includes guests Andy
Narell, Bela Fleck, Ottmar Liebert, Charlie Bisharat, Rick Braun, Boney
James, and more. Also be on the lookout for new Tangerine Dream. The
advance tracks we received from TYRANNY OF BEAUTY were so hypnotic we left
them running on "repeat" all day!
Dan Margules
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ULTRA! - THE SMOOTHEST AND THE COOLEST by Wayne Radcliffe
BUDI SIEBERT - WILD EARTH (Narada Equinox), 56:27
Shining U.S. debut from long-time Ralf Illenberger sideman! When I saw
Illenberger perform at the Catalina Festival, he played his guitar
stunningly while faithful Budi covered just about every other instrument
on the stage. Germany's acclaimed, multi-talented instrumentalist plays
the sweetest saxes, clarinets, and flutes on one track, then switches to
the coolest marimba, keyboards, and accordion on the next, and gets
behind drums, tablas, and darbukas elsewhere. But the texture on each
composition is consistently fresh and uniquely Budi throughout.
The outstanding title cut patches in elements from around the world.
"The first thing to come to me was the marimba section," says
Siebert,
"then I added pieces of various musical cultures: middle eastern
phrasing, and then it moves into very calm parts. For me the song is
like flying over this beautiful blue planet and seeing all its variety of
landscapes and life." That track is followed by the joyful "Dancing
With
The Bear". Prior to making this record, Siebert spent time studying
Native American medicine with the Bear Tribe near Spokane, Washington.
"Sun Bear taught me that the only thing I can take power over is myself,"
Siebert explains of the tune's inspiration.
The alternating 3/4-9/8 shuffle beat from drummer Walter Keiser on "Winds
From The South" reminds Budi of "a warm summer evening. The summer
breeze is touching me softly, a finger along my skin." He then strips
the song down to its core synthesizer phrase on "Silent Earth"
and adds a
solemn Indian drum and bass clarinet. "Nature has taught me much about
the beauty of silence." Other highlights on this breezy masterpiece
include the Siebert-conducted orchestra on the dynamic "The Phoenix
Rises" and fun-filled "Round My Way".
PRODUCED BY: Budi Siebert and Friedemann Witecka
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R&J Q&A
Q: I think it's really cool that the guy from Jefferson Starship is doing
this kind of instrumental music now. Are there any other former rockers
who've discovered the wonders of this very healing musical outlet?
- B. Walter, Redmond, WA
A: You bet! Seems Higher Octave, the label that brought us the mellow,
acoustic guitar stylings of Starship's Craig Chaquico, had such huge
success with his two releases that they've quickly found themselves
another "mainstream" musician willing to go the R&J route.
This month
they release BEYOND THE THUNDER by guitarist Neal Schon of Journey (and,
before that, Santana). Like Chaquico's output, Schon's instrumental work
is lush, melodic, mysterious, and dreamy. Sure to be a hit. There are
other examples of old-time rock and rollers discovering the contemporary
instrumental phenomenon. Happy-jazz star Peter White was a staple of Al
Stewart's band for over a decade before playing his guitar alone for us.
Rocker Peter Gabriel won a new age Grammy for his soundtrack to THE LAST
TEMPTATION OF CHRIST. Keep on the lookout, there's bound to be more!
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NEW RELEASES by Bethany Springs
TOM SCOTT - NIGHT CREATURES (GRP), 44:49
PRODUCED BY: Tom Scott & Lynne Scott
GROOVE: L.A. saxman's 23rd LP is a cross between his 1991 smash pop
production KEEP THIS LOVE ALIVE and last year's urban REED MY LIPS.
Major funk powerhouses share CD space with smooth vocal tunes as Scott
endeavors to put as much polish into his producing skills as in his
playing. "I'd say the record is an attempt to portray musically the
night time activities of a big city, to explore the different moods
and scenes of night people," says Scott. "I feel it's one of the
most
accessible, listenable records I've done. In fact, you could say it's
liberally sprinkled with ear candy!"
HIGHLIGHTS: Slammin', horn-laden title track, updated from Tom's 1978
INTIMATE STRANGERS; wacky Sly Stone-styled R&B groover "Yeah!";
cool
Scott ballad "Refried" with heavy underlying urban beats; rocked-out
cover of Sting's "We'll Be Together" (sung by JT Taylor); sensuous
cover of Janet Jackson's "Anytime, Anyplace".
ALSO CHECK OUT: Scott's THEM CHANGES and STREAMLINES (GRP); Dave Koz's
LUCKY MAN (Capitol); Art Porter's POCKET CITY (Verve Forecast)
VARIOUS ARTISTS - CELTIC LEGACY (Narada), 64:45
PRODUCED BY: Various
GROOVE: Simply beautiful follow-up to CELTIC ODYSSEY sampler of some of
the best contemporary and traditional Irish, Scottish, Gaelic, and
Welsh music. Transports listener directly to Donegal, Cape Breton
Island, and Galicia. A must-have!
HIGHLIGHTS: All-woman quartet The Poozies singing mouth music
accompanied by a modern-sounding accordion groove on "Dheanainn
Sugradh"; similarly rhythmic, upbeat children's song "Dulaman"
cheerfully sung by Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh with her group Altan; opening
instrumental Celtic traditional lullaby "Einini" by steel-string
guitarist William Coulter; lush, melodic piano/accordion dream "Douce
Mousitomanie" by Orion; Wales quintet 4 Yn Y Bar's exciting
arrangements and vocal harmonies on "Dacw 'Nghariad (There's My
Love)"; superb fiddler Natalie MacMaster's languishing "If Ever
You
Were Mine"; wistful "Si Beag, Si Mor (Little Fairy Mound, Big
Fairy
Mound)" by whistle-bouzouki-bass trio Deiseal.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Narada's CELTIC ODYSSEY; Joemy Wilson's CELTIC TREASURES
(Dargason Music); Enya's WATERMARK (Geffen)
[liner notes to LEGACY list contact info for label of each album from
which the tracks on this sampler were taken.]
FATTBURGER - LIVIN' LARGE (Shanachie/Cachet), 47:57
PRODUCED BY: Fattburger
GROOVE: 10th anniversary of laid-back San Diego band marked by return of
Grover-ish saxist Hollis Gentry blended subtly into three tracks. CD
sports band leader Carl Evans' famous mixture of mellow melodies and
rhythmic brews. It's always a good time for a healthy serving of
Fattburger.
HIGHLIGHTS: Midtempo opener "Anything's Possible" led by golden
warmth
of Evan Marks' guitar; Fatt-ening rendition of Stevie Wonder's
"Creepin'"; new Fatt-classic "Intuition", at once reminiscent
of their
sumptuous hit "The Doctor"; percussive heat turned up on "In
Your
Eyes" and slightly sweaty closer "Sheezateez".
ALSO CHECK OUT: 'Burger's ONE OF A KIND (Golden Boy/Optimism), GOOD NEWS
(Intima), LIVING IN PARADISE (Intima); Gentry's NEON (Nova); Steve
Laury's STEPPING OUT (Denon); Azymuth's CURUMIN (Intima)
LARA & REYES - GUITARRAS HERMANAS (Higher Octave), 40:48
PRODUCED BY: Sergio Lara & Joe Reyes
GROOVE: Higher Octave makes it look so darned easy to keep discovering
fresh, vivacious new acts. Take the Southwestern acoustic flamenco
guitar stylings of an Ottmar Liebert, double it up with two equally
invigorating string pluckers a la Strunz & Farah, and you get this gem
that's sure to have NAC radio all over it! In addition to Lara's
guitar on the left and Reyes' on the right, both add spicy flavorings
with palmas, ocarinas, and assorted percussion. As if that's not
enough, we get mandolin from Lara and oud and bass from Reyes, with
more percussion from Eric Casillas and more bass from Greg Norris.
Mixed in just the right proportions, the result is pure perfection
with every glistening, uncluttered note!
HIGHLIGHTS: Splashy, scene-setting guitar dueling in opener "Cielo
sin
Nubes (Uncloudy Sky)"; romantic Mexican bolero melody of "Sabor
a Mi
(A Taste Of Me)"; quick but sizzling "Viene Clareando (Becoming
Clear)"; yearning, infectious "Besos Rosas (Pink Roses)";
delicious
"Cotton Candy".
ALSO CHECK OUT: Liebert's NOUVEAU FLAMENCO (Higher Octave); S&F's PRIMAL
MAGIC (Mesa) [see Cool Classics section below]; Acoustic Alchemy's
AGAINST THE GRAIN (GRP)
KIM PENSYL - WHEN YOU WERE MINE (Shanachie/Cachet), 45:06
PRODUCED BY: Kim Pensyl
GROOVE: Pianist turns a new page on label debut, adding vocalists to
some tunes, including his first pop cover (Toni Braxton's "Another
Sad
Love Song"). Instrumentals are as captivating as ever, superbly
produced at home by the artist and later layering in supporting
musicians. "My last few albums contained longer, more experimental
pieces in which I expanded the parameters of the music," says Pensyl.
"With this album, the idea is much simpler; write solid, pop/R&B
songs
and perform them instrumentally." Released last September.
HIGHLIGHTS: Go-get-'em ruggedness of "I Wish I Knew" featuring
playful
soprano sax melody from Dave Mann; memorable, forward-moving "Don't
Look Back", presenting new melodic wonders at every turn; diggable
"Some Other Time" with another juicy Mann solo; racing "A
Tribute To
Ayrton" for race car driver Ayrton Senna; whimsical "Say You Will"
featuring Pensyl on his first instrument, flugelhorn.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Pensyl's PENSYL SKETCHES COLLECTION (GRP), EYES OF
WONDER (GRP); Joe Sample's COLLECTION (GRP); Rob Mullins' MUSIC FOR
LOVERS (Discovery)
OTHER NEW STUFF...
JUSTO ALMARIO/ABRAHAM LABORIEL (Integrity)
Sax and bass monsters team up with inspired tunes.
GARY BURTON & MAKOTO OZONE - FACE TO FACE (GRP)
Vibesman and pianist stretch out unaccompanied, live.
BRIAN CULBERTSON - MODERN LIFE (Bluemoon)
Chicago keyboard kid improves on 2nd funk-n-jazz disc.
ZACH DAVIDS - IVORY WINGS (Ivory Moon)
Solo acoustic piano for quiet relaxation.
FOWLER & BRANCA - THREE FLIGHTS UP (Silver Wave)
Serene, dreamy instrumental magic with sharp melodies.
THE MICHAEL GARSON ORCHESTRA - SCREENTHEMES '94 (Discovery)
Straight from the Oscars, Garson's 2nd look at movie music.
VINCENT GREEN & SEVENTH AVENUE - TAKEOVER (Chelle)
Hip and smooth urban contempojazz from Chicago quartet.
MARK JOHNSON - DAYDREAM (JVC)
Long-awaited follow-up to R&J's #1 pick for '94 -- smokin'!
JOHN PATITUCCI - MISTURA FINA (GRP)
Satisfying Brazilian outing from versatile bassist.
KENNY RANKIN - PROFESSIONAL DREAMER (Private)
Very Harry Connick-style standards; with Wofford, Bromberg.
SPYRO GYRA - LOVE & OTHER OBSESSIONS (GRP)
Sophisticated ensemble from the 70's is still going strong.
BILLY TAYLOR - HOMAGE (GRP)
Diverse jazz piano plus Turtle Island String Quartet.
VAL GARDENA - ON THE BRIDGE (Mercury)
Surreal new age duo; incisive synth colors, strange moods.
ERNIE WATTS - UNITY (JVC)
Trad jazz date with Geri Allen, DeJohnette, Gomez, Swallow.
JOEMY WILSON - CELTIC TREASURES (Dargason)
Pretty music of Ireland on hammered dulcimer, Volume IV.
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COOL CLASSICS by Wayne Radcliffe
STRUNZ & FARAH - PRIMAL MAGIC (Mesa), 1990, 47:02
There's an underlying eroticism to the music of Jorge Strunz and Ardeshir
Farah that is difficult to describe. But I've seen it at work many
times. While a jealous musician sulks in the back of the club ("I can
do
that!"), audience members driven mad by the music uncontrollably jump
up
onto the stage and extemporaneously discover the fine art of belly
dancing! It happens all the time with these guys. The scene is not
unlike that moment in the film FAME when Doris comes out of her shell at
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. The exotic strains of Strunz & Farah
must
be experienced firsthand.
PRIMAL MAGIC, their breakthrough CD, was the first significant taste the
world got of this worldbeat acoustic guitar duo and I, for one, was
hooked from the start. The opening strains of "Bola" seduce you,
bringing you inside the playful melody where you almost don't notice the
incredible dexterity of those twenty fingers. "Twilight At The Zuq"
-- a
Middle Eastern African rumba -- keeps the magic hopping, adding violinist
Charlie Bisharat to the fold. Such multi-cultural rhythms are par for
the course for this band. Strunz, formerly of the Latin fusion band
Caldera, is Costa Rican while his partner is from Iran. They also have a
Colombian bass player, an African drummer, and percussionists from Cuba
and Mexico City, all bringing an intoxicating variety of elements to the
output.
"Rainmaker" is the track that really takes me away! Tropical forest
sound effects (via Precolombian winds), the powerful Iranian-Costa Rican
vamp, and Luis Perez belting out a primal scream. It's such a gorgeous
tune! It was at their first gig that "Jorge came up with the vamp and
the chords," says Farah. "and, as we jammed it, I thought of the
melody
and Perez started singing; it developed from a jam session into a song."
As the adventure continues, we hear an all-percussion interlude followed
by more mesmerizing melodies than you can shake a rain stick at,
culminating in the explosively sweet climax of "Amazonas". This
disc
will never get old.
PRODUCED BY: Jorge Strunz & Ardeshir Farah
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ABOUT R&J
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STAFF:
Publisher/Editor: Dan Margules
Contributing Writers: Wayne Radcliffe, Bethany Springs
RHYTHM & JAZZ ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER
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RHYTHM & JAZZ, VOL. 2, NO. 4, Copyright (c) 1995 Dan Margules. All rights
reserved.
