RHYTHM & JAZZ June/July 1995 Vol. 2, No. 6
Copyright (c) 1995 Dan Margules. All rights reserved.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
What can I say? We missed a whole month! As day jobs keep us busy
during the week and the summer jazz festival season pulls us away on
weekends, not to mention the flu bug that was going around in May and hit
all of our writers, it gets harder and harder to find the time to put down
our thoughts about the music we love here in these digital pages. But
we're still listening and we're still dedicated to keeping our readers
informed of all the great stuff that's happening in the contemporary
instrumental world.
This month marks our 1-year anniversary publishing this e-zine. To
celebrate, and to make up for skipping last month, we've doubled the number
of reviews. More than a dozen hot discs are discussed this month. Also,
we are pleased to announce the addition of our newest contributing writer,
David Spalding of Korova Multimedia, who will fill us in on the ambient
scene.
Now for some RHYTHM & JAZZ previews: If you remember saxophonist Sam
Riney from his days in the David Benoit band, then you'll be happy to hear
his 4 excellent but hard-to-find solo LPs on Spindletop records will soon
be made available again through Bobby Caldwell's Sin-Drome label. This
news came to us from The WAVE MusicLetter. For a free subscription, send
your name and address to The WAVE MusicLetter, P.O. Box 4310, Los Angeles,
CA 90078. The WAVE, a popular NAC radio station in L.A. (94.7 FM, KTWV),
can also be reached via the Internet at wave@ktwv.groupw.wec.com.
Another favorite saxophonist from R&J-past, Gary Herbig, will be back
on the scene soon. You've heard him on many of your favorite contempojazz
CDs, (David Benoit, Dan Siegel, Pat Kelley, Don Grusin). Prior to his 2
outstanding but overlooked late-80's solo efforts on HeadFirst Records he
was a member of Elvis Presley's live band! We've recently heard that he
has signed with Higher Octave records and, in fact, he appears on their
new
3rd Force release, FORCE OF NATURE. Good luck, Gary!
For those of you dying for more Fourplay, our good friends at Warner
Bros. inform us that the supergroup is planning to release a live record
this year. In the meantime, you can check out two of the leaders on other
collaborative projects. Keyboardist Bob James performs on and co-headlines
the debut CD of his daughter, singer Hilary James. Their pairing is titled
FLESH AND BLOOD (Warner Bros.) and includes the track that Hilary sang on
Dad's last album, RESTLESS (Warner Bros.). Guitarist Lee Ritenour teams
up
with fellow guitarist Larry Carlton on LARRY & LEE (GRP), reviewed in
this
issue of RHYTHM & JAZZ. And, in a similar vein as the Fourplay project,
four other contempojazz heavyweights have joined forces for a more urban
take on the concept. URBAN KNIGHTS (GRP) is keyboard great Ramsey Lewis,
sax man extraordinaire Grover Washington, Jr., and Weather Report's rhythm
section Omar Hakim on drums and Victor Bailey on bass.
So there's a lot to look forward to in the RHYTHM & JAZZ arena, and
a
lot to catch up on. Here's this month reviews...
Dan Margules
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
ULTRA! - THE SMOOTHEST AND THE COOLEST by Wayne Radcliffe
NELSON RANGELL - DESTINY (GRP), 60:21
DESTINY turns on NAC radio! From the funk-filled opener "The Road
Ahead", multi-reedist Rangell sets a course for intense and intricate
horn blowing, accessible melodies, and slamming grooves. As with each of
his previous six sensational outings, DESTINY aptly shows off the Denver
sax man's many sides. "I enjoy a large range of musical styles,"
says
Rangell. "I feel I'm capable of going in many directions and I think
each producer handles a little different vibe. For example, Kip's
production moves in a somewhat Metheny-esque mode, while conversely,
Michael focuses more on a sophisticated urban groove.
"I think as you go from track to track, the transitions make smooth
sense," Rangell continues. "I hope to take audiences in new directions,
which are reflective of my musical vision. I think my playing is getting
better and it's nice to balance different moods with one another.
Overall, the grooves here are all powerful and strong settings in which
to play."
Our favorite is the R&J cover-of-the-year, the smooth and sensual reading
of the classic "A House Is Not A Home." ("Our arrangement
is essentially
a cover of Luther Vandross' famous version," Rangell reflects. "If
you're gonna to a cover, it's best to take on some great material.")
It's followed by the radio-friendly funker "Going All The Way"
and the
hurried anticipation of the flute runs on "Rainbow Shadows" built
around
playful synth raindrops from Chuck Loeb. The haunting "Sonora"
is a
ballad of a new color for Nelson and the passion here really stands out.
The disc closes with its explosive powerhouse title cut. Nelson
continues to grow consistently stronger with each outstanding new
release.
PRODUCED BY: Chuck Loeb, Michael Bearden, Kip Kuepper
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
R&J Q&A
Q: I picked up Celestial Winds' OCEANS OF LOVE CD, which I read about in
RHYTHM & JAZZ. It's beautiful, but on the back it says, "There
are no
synthesizers on this album. All the instruments on this recording were
played by human hands." Synthesizers are played by human hands, too,
aren't they? - T. LeCesne, Orem, Utah
A: That's a very clever and accurate observation. Maybe the intended
emphasis in the second sentence was that there were no instruments played
by orangutans. "When we play, it's like one person with four hands.
The
only thing we insist on is that all the instruments on our albums are
played by hand and that nothing is created by electronics," reiterates
the duo's harpist, Lisa Franco (although her Celtic harp is electrically
amplified). The acousticality they're trying to put into words is
definitely part of the appeal of their Renaissance-inspired sound
characterized by David Young's technique of playing two recorders at
once. "Something special happens when you hear two recorders playing
together," he says. "You get tri-harmonic tones -- a third overtone
created by the main two notes you're playing -- which makes the music
fuller and deeper." The record, on the Universal Music label, also
features Rippingtons percussionist Steve Reid.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
NEW RELEASES by Bethany Springs
BRIAN BECVAR - ONCE IN A LIFE (Real), 65:17
PRODUCED BY: Brian BecVar
GROOVE: Sweet, soothing, soaring MIDI-grand new age piano with subdued
percussion by Brad Dutz and guest Dave Koz on three tracks. Peaceful
debut from former sideman and composer for John Cougar Mellencamp.
Also joined by brother Bruce (guitar) and vocal healer Nada Shakti on
relaxing closer.
HIGHLIGHTS: Smooth and melodic title cut featuring EWI solo by Koz;
South American flavorings of "Argentina Waits For Me" with guitar
by
John Defaria and tranquil wordless vocals by Pedro Anzar; dark,
Metheny-textured "The Midnight Ride", again propelled by Anzar;
exciting acoustic piano rush on "Escape To Iguacu", further enhanced
by sentimental flugelhorn support from Ralph Rickert.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Michael Gettel; Nada Shakti and Bruce BecVar's JIVA
MUKTI (Shining Star)
THE GERALD WILSON ORCHESTRA - STATE STREET SWEET (MAMA Foundation), 56:27
PRODUCED BY: Gerald Wilson, Douglas Evans
GROOVE: Big band Windy City tribute from legendary septuagenarian big
band leader/composer Wilson. Non-profit MAMA Foundation CD contains
new tunes plus new recordings of classic Wilson originals.
HIGHLIGHTS: Slick "Lighthouse Blues" with very cool guitar solos
and
verses traded by Wilson's son Anthony Wilson and 16-year-old grandson
Eric Otis; unbelievable fluttering trumpet solo by Bobby Shew on "The
Serpent"; film-noirish bookends to swinging midsection of "Caprichos"
(originally from 1963), again with the junior Wilson and Otis on
guitars; Mexican-flavored trumpet performance by Ron Barrows on
"Carlos", Wilson's moving 1966 tribute to bullfighter Carlos Arruza.
ALSO CHECK OUT: GRP All-Star Big Band; The Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz
Machine's FIRST IMPRESSIONS (Tall Man); James Dapogny's Chicago Jazz
Band's HOT CLUB STOMP SMALL BAND SWING (Discovery)
WAYNE GRATZ - BLUE RIDGE (Narada Lotus), 58:46
PRODUCED BY: Wayne Gratz and Trevor Sadler
GROOVE: Nature-inspired new age beauty honoring the Blue Ridge Mountains
of Appalachia, with exquisite photos in CD-booklet by nature
photographers David and Marc Muench. In addition to Gratz' melodic
piano, instrumentation includes cello, mandolin, dulcimer, guitar,
violin, and six-string fretless bass.
HIGHLIGHTS: Warm "Blue Ridge Part 2"; flowing "Sacred River";
short but
melodically playful "Fields Are Burning"; piano-only reverie "Past
Time"; uplifting, majestic "Peaks Of Otter".
ALSO CHECK OUT: Gratz' PANORAMA (Narada Lotus); NARADA WILDERNESS
COLLECTION; David Lanz' NIGHTFALL (Narada Lotus); Spencer Brewer's
ROMANTIC INTERLUDES (Narada Lotus)
BRANDON FIELDS (Positive), 45:01
PRODUCED BY: Brandon Fields
GROOVE: Romance-friendly solo return of former Rippington saxophonist
after 4-year recording absence. Few contempojazz saxers have as
distinctive and identifiable a voice as Fields' warm, mellow alto
tones. Expected eclecticism of styles is there but disc is primarily
focused on smooth, amiable rhythms and polished melodies. As always,
fine ensemble playing with Fields' sax melding beautifully with Walt
Fowler's lustrous flugelhorn and trumpet.
HIGHLIGHTS: Gentle Latin opener "Looking Glass" and fluid "Quiet
Eyes",
the latter with a charming string section; gospel-flavored "Gone But
Not Forgotten", with Fields' rich tenor and alto augmented by
expressive horn section; earthy ballad "Part Human" finding Fields
and
Fowler (tenor and flugelhorn, respectively) duetting against Gina
Kronstadt's wordless vocals.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Fields' OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY, THE TRAVELER, and OTHER
PLACES (Nova); Rippingtons' MOONLIGHTING, KILIMANJARO, and TOURIST IN
PARADISE (GRP)
LEE RITENOUR/LARRY CARLTON - LARRY & LEE (GRP), 60:34
PRODUCED BY: Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour
GROOVE: Laid back, breezy collaboration between two top pop-jazz
guitarists teaming up for the first time, with Lee on the right side
of the mix and Larry on the left. Jerry Hey and horn section add
class to many tracks. Five compositions apiece, plus one cut credited
to both. Variety of electric and acoustic guitars in masterful hands.
HIGHLIGHTS: Rit's "Low Steppin'" spin on LC's "High Steppin'"
riff; hip-
hoppish cool of "L.A. Underground"; struttin' rhythm of melodic
hummer "Closed Door Jam"; pleasant acoustic fingerstyle picking
on
"Lots About Nothin'" and memorable "Up And Adam".
ALSO CHECK OUT: Carlton's ALONE/BUT NEVER ALONE (MCA Master Series);
George Benson/Earl Klugh's COLLABORATION (Warner Bros.); Acoustic
Alchemy
BEAUTIFUL WORLD - ...IN EXISTENCE (Discovery), 58:48
PRODUCED BY: Phil Sawyer
GROOVE: Mystical, swirling electronic timbres, ambient, hypnotic techno-
beats, Swahili chants and French lyrics put this release in a class by
itself! Put together by Phil Sawyer (Spencer Davis Group, replacing
Steve Winwood, and Shotgun Wedding, which later became Fleetwood Mac)
and programmer partner Andy Gray, this CD honors the beauty of our
planet with the sentiment, "Ulimwengu mzury ume zaliwa," which
is
Swahili for "A perfect world has been created, it is already IN
EXISTENCE." The music is a unique and beautiful experience.
HIGHLIGHTS: Trance dancer "The Silk Road"; French reggae "Magicien
Du
Bonheur"; breezy African "Love Song" (listen for the Swahili
phrase
made popular by Elton John and Tim Rice); primal instrumental epic
"Revolution Of The Heart".
ALSO CHECK OUT: Manu DiBango's WAKAFRIKA (Giant); Hans Zimmer's
MILLENNIUM: TRIBAL WISDOM AND THE MODERN WORLD (Narada Cinema); THE
JAZZMASTERS (JVC); Pete Bardens' WATER COLORS (Miramar)
TANGERINE DREAM - TYRANNY OF BEAUTY (Miramar), 57:31
PRODUCED BY: Edgar Froese
GROOVE: Masters and virtual creators of underground, electronic
instrumental genre return to longer, more atmospheric tracks, greatly
utilizing house ambient styles they played with decades before its
recent niche-popularity. Seductive sounds from founder Edgar Froese
and son Jerome, joined again by haunting sax layers from Linda Spa and
exciting rhythm and lead guitars by Gerald Gradwool and Mark Hornby.
Classic "Statosfear" is updated and disc closes with innovative
interpretation of Handel's "Largo" from XERXES.
HIGHLIGHTS: Spatial, hypnotic opener "Catwalk", moving through
multiple
modes from flamenco guitar flourishes (Gradwool) to pulsating, ambient
dreamscapes and energizing, repeating keyboard melodies; Spa's soaring
alto intro to "Little Blond In The Park Of Attractions" with dynamic
electric guitar solo by Jerome; Spa's powerful blowing again on dreamy
"Living In A Fountain Pen"; reflective "Bride In Cold Tears"
-- the
only radio-sized track, at under 5 minutes, but manages to get
grooving AND freaky in that time.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Dream's EXIT (Elektra), TURN OF THE TIDES (Miramar)
MICHAEL GETTEL - THE ART OF NATURE (Narada Equinox), 52:32
PRODUCED BY: Michael Gettel
GROOVE: Smooth gems and exquisite soundscapes inspired by stunning
nature photos (by Bruce Heinemann). Keyboards and light wind
instruments (oboes, flutes, English horns, soprano sax) carry the
melody on a pillow of soothing but not sleepy rhythms. Gettel
imagines what a river or a mountain or a canyon might sound like if it
were music. His aural visions are so vivid, one track was
commissioned by the Colorado Ski School for the Blind to "show"
its
members the beauty of what lay before them.
HIGHLIGHTS: Breathy sound of Bolivian pan pipe over hushed synthesizer
textures on opener "Light Of The Land"; rushing "Watershed"
with
medium rock tempo punctuated by bursts of percussion and Peruvian pan
pipes; stormy "Fire In The Sky", transforming from tribal African
opening to languid, sonorous flute theme to jazzy guitar section in
7/4 to searing fusion riffs; introspective, dreamy "Solace" with
haunting, improvised vocalese; dynamic, powerhouse closer "Crosswind".
ALSO CHECK OUT: Gettel's SKYWATCHING and THE KEY (both Narada Equinox);
Images' FINESSE (Redstone); David Lanz and Paul Speer's BRIDGE OF
DREAMS (Narada Equinox)
GREG VAIL - eMOTION (BrainChild), 50:30
PRODUCED BY: Daniel Ho
GROOVE: Kilauea's lead saxman finally steps out on his own (well, sort
of... his band leader produced) and should have no problem catching up
to Boney James, Dave Koz, and Kenny G. Funky grooves and catchy
melodies abound. Greg also shows a mature restraint in his playing on
several lovely slow tracks. This long-awaited debut will delight his
many admirers. A couple cuts have a very Kilauea-like sound!
HIGHLIGHTS: Vail's soprano sax played so delicately it almost sounds
like an alto flute on sweet "In The Beginning" featuring duet
intro
with Peter White on acoustic guitar; 2 sensuous Tony Guerrero-penned
ballads "Love's Gift" and "Within Your Love"; soulful
Smokey Robinson
cover "Just To See Her"; quirky syncopations on festive closer
"Driving With The Top Down".
ALSO CHECK OUT: Kilauea's MIDNIGHT ON THE BOULEVARD (BrainChild); Boney
James' TRUST and BACKBONE (Warner Bros.); Eric Marienthal's VOICES OF
THE HEART (GRP)
KEN NAVARRO - BRIGHTER DAYS (Positive), 47:47
PRODUCED BY: Ken Navarro
GROOVE: Always listener-friendly melodies and light, breezy grooves from
Washington, D.C.-based pop-jazz guitarist Navarro. Gentle nylon-
string ballads, uptempo cookers, and surprising new directions.
Brandon Fields featured on saxes on more than half the cuts.
HIGHLIGHTS: Sade-like midnight groove of "Give And Take"; Earl
Klugh-
like ballad "Eric's Dream" inspired by Navarro's 8-year-old son's
dream; cool interplay between Navarro, Jeff Jarvis on muted trumpet,
Dan Reynolds on the ivories, and saxophonist Bobby Militello on
shuffly "One Step At A Time"; more shuffling and muted trumpet
on
melodic reggae winner "Footprints In The Sand"; cross between
George
Benson mellow electric guitar tones and Methenyesque lyricism and
atmosphere on "Compassion".
ALSO CHECK OUT: Navarro's PRIDE AND JOY and I CAN'T COMPLAIN (Positive);
Russ Freeman's NOCTURNAL PLAYGROUND (BrainChild)
AKIRA JIMBO - PANAMA MAN (Kazu/Unity), 49:16
PRODUCED BY: Kazu Matsui
GROOVE: Melodic, multi-ethnicized contemporary jazz from Japanese
drummer/composer Jimbo, with help from top U.S. sessionists. Funky
and breezy, hip hop to happy, this disc has a little of everything,
including three vocal tunes with perceptive lyrics by Jeff Day.
HIGHLIGHTS: Keiko Matsui-like melody in opener "Land Of Innocence"
featuring sweet soprano sax of Warren Hill; funky "First Stride"
opening with wacky synth-percussion; dreamy "Dream Season" including
beautiful piano part by Russell Ferrante and Gerald Albright's smooth
tenor sax; evocative "Jungle City" groove with mysterious piccolo
trumpeter Clay Jenkins leading a hip horn section.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Keiko Matsui's DOLL (White Cat/Unity); Alphonse Mouzon's
EARLY SPRING (Tenacious); Chester Thompson's A JOYFUL NOISE
(Bluemoon/Moo)
VARIOUS ARTISTS - PRECIOUS WATERS: RIVER OF LIFE (Narada), 65:23
PRODUCED BY: Various
GROOVE: Four concert-length, environmental new age epics celebrating the
power and beauty of our nation's rivers, each piece with its own
distinct allure, separated by R. Carlos Nakai's Native American flute
interludes. Each of the four main pieces is a highlight.
HIGHLIGHTS: David Arkenstone's multi-faceted opus "Stormlight";
Russian
keyboardist Kostia's 3-part suite "Where The Rivers Are Born",
with an
ethereal opening movement on synthesizer followed by a moving Steinway
grand piano section and concluding with a bright, upbeat renewal;
mysterious jazziness by the German team of Ralf Illenberger and Budi
Siebert on "Falling Water"; orchestral grandeur from film composer
Michael Whalen on "Through The Parched Land".
ALSO CHECK OUT: POLAR SHIFT (Private); NARADA WILDERNESS COLLECTION
(Narada); TRUE NORTH (Miramar)
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
K O R O V A M U L T I M E D I A R E V I E W S
Korova Multimedia
Post Office Box 2036
Novato, CA 94948
CompuServe 70713,1440
America Online DSpalding
The Microsoft Network DSpalding
\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/|\|/|\
AMBIENT EXTRACTIONS VOL. 1, Various Artists (C&S Records CS 8521-2;
58:26), 1995. Offbeat collection of trance and modern rock tinged with
the influence of ambient music. Just as digital has changed the way music
and sound is prepared, ambient is changing the face of music across the
genres. Excellent collection with exquisite album design and packaging.
Contains several memorable tracks from Seefeel, Young American Primitive,
David Sylvian with Jon Hassell and Bark Psychosis.
AMBIENT VOIDS (TECHNICIANS OF SPACE), Various Artists (Hypnotic/Cleopatra
CLEO-9543-2; 73:11), 1995. Techno/Industrial label Cleopatra branches out
into trance music with this and other releases on their new subdivision,
Hypnotic. Don't be fooled by the image of Buddha on the cover, just like
Silent's FROM HERE TO TRANQUILITY 4. This features some raw, depth-diving
music from Synaethesia, Klange, Nik Turner, Spiral Realms, and even a
1977 classic from Cluster and Brian Eno. Some of the music has an almost
nostalgic sound, like the seminal work from Tangerine Dream. Hip, bracing
electronic music for the System 7 Generation. Long-play value.
HOLOGRAPHIC TAPESTRIES, Kit Watkins (Linden LM 2023; 73:33), 1995. Happy
the Man keyboardist Kit Watkins (now solo since 1980) releases a major
title in his library of iconoclastic work. This is actually two albums,
both excellent, selected by playing either odd-numbered (pensive) or
even-numbered (more overtly rhythmic) tracks. Liner notes include words
and images to accompany the music. Those new to Watkins will appreciate
his breadth of talent ... steady fans will HAVE to have this. Long-play
value.
INSTANT ENLIGHTENMENT, Om (C&S Records CS 8513; 78:02), 1995. A driving
collection of rave tracks, fast paced and easy to like. If you've been
curious what's behind the new crop of trance music, the raucous,
atom-splitting techno music, this is a fine sip. One cut, "Be Here
Now,"
ends with a spaced-out soliloquy. "Big Chill Out" is another good
ambient
cut. Long-play value.
IVORY WINGS, Zach Davids (Ivory Moon Recordings IMRD 6791; 51:55), 1995.
Zach Davids has been playing the piano since he was 4, and composing
since he was five. Now 18, this is his first release. Quiet, reflective,
rainy day music to fill the room with. Quite surprising.
ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON; IN MEMORIAM MR. WHITNEY, Pauline Oliveros &
American Voices (Mode 40; 66:52), 1994. This ambient music pioneer
recorded one of these tracks live, just her, the accordion and a
reverberant space. The music that results stops time.
CIRCLE OF MOONS, Bill Douglas (Hearts of Space HS11048-2; 51:12), 1995.
The music of the Celtic heritage once again inspires this contemporary
composer. A noted composer and bassoonist (he was SOCAN's Classical
Composer of the Year, 1994, and has toured and recorded regularly with
Richard Stoltzman), Douglas once again explores the realm of the spiritual
and the ancient in a variety of arrangements. Opening strongly with
"Heaven in a Wild Flower," an adaptation of a passage by William
Blake,
performed by the Ars Nova Singers, the album is a gentle exploration of
the romanticism of timeless, sacred music.
THE DREAM CIRCLE, Steve Roach (Soundquest/Projekt LTD1; 73:59, or played
indefinitely), 1995. Limited edition of 2500 signed copies. Steve Roach
has previously released some remarkable, extended ambient pieces,
particularly the second half of WORLD'S EDGE, "On the Threshold of
Silence." His piece for Projekt's ACROSS THIS GRAY LAND No. 3, "Three
Reptiles Wait At The Opening To The Underworld," was a dark journey
to an
ominous and foreboding place. The long suite is Roach's strong suit. This
disc is one long, balmy nocturne, a sampling of a place and time, intended
to be played in "repeat" mode, with no beginning and no end. More
than
music, it's superb audio wallpaper for your own space. Can be ordered
direct by calling 1-800-CD-LASER, or write to SOUNDQUEST MUSIC, 8987-309
Tanque Verde Road #227, Tucson, AZ, 85749-9399.
HYPNOTIC STATE, Various Artists (C&S Records CS 8520-2; 78:13), 1995.
This
is an extended compilation of techno music from a prolific label. The
entire seventy-eight minute length runs wild with driving, rave-like
intensity. Long-play value.
IN C 25TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT, Terry Riley (New Albion Records NA071CD;
76:23), 1995. A new, brilliant recording of the Riley's classic,
iconoclastic work. Features several renown performers in addition to the
composer, including percussionist George Marsh and members of The Kronos
Quartet.
LIFE AS WE KNOW IT, Tim Timmermans (Higher Octave Music HOMCD 7072;
44:44), 1995. A former member of the jazz group Windows, and a
collaborator with the likes of Dan Fogelberg and David Arkenstone, Tim
Timmermans here strikes out on his own with this collection of
instrumentals. The tunes are rhythmically alive, with fine contributions
from a suite of acoustic musicians.
NORTH OF NIAGARA, Danna & Clement (Hearts of Space HS11049-2; 52:09),
1995. Lonely and epic romantic minimalism from Canadian space music
composers Mychael Danna and Tim Clement. The majesty of the great Northern
landscape is interpreted as a journey along the Bruce Trail, Canada's
oldest and longest footpath from Niagara Falls to Tobermory Point. The
music deftly captures the solitude of the landscape, and the traveler
within it. An exceptional release, particularly "Mount Nemo" and
"Avening."
TERRA MAGICA PLANET OF LIGHT, Deuter (Higher Octave Music HOMCD 7075;
64:15), 1995. Georg Deuter has been a fixture in the new age music
universe for over two decades, and this release asserts a mastery of the
interplay of world and contemporary instrumental music. Wielding flute,
tabla, piano and a host of other instruments, Deuter weaves a sonata of
melodies both lively and reflective.
YEARNING, Robert Rich and Lisa Moskow (Hearts of Space HS11050-2; 59:41),
1995. A long-awaited new release from Northern California dreamtime
composer Robert Rich, here collaborating with sarod player Lisa Moskow.
The entire album is an exploration of the soul of "alap," the
slow and
introspective passage that precedes the bulk of a classical Indian raga.
By crawling into the essence of the alap and peering out, Moskow explores
new standards of ambient music. Rich's characteristic trance music
provides both a setting and a multi-instrumental counterpoint to Moskow's
brilliant etudes.
A self-described multicareerist, D.B. Spalding is a writer, musician,
independent radio producer, computer consultant and online sysop; he
writes frequently about music, film, computing and the mass- and
multimedia.
(C) Copyright 1995 D.B. Spalding. All rights reserved.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
COOL CLASSICS by Wayne Radcliffe
ALPHONSE MOUZON - EARLY SPRING (Tenacious), 1988, 48:29
When we interviewed former Weather Report drummer Alphonse Mouzon for our
September 1994 issue of RHYTHM & JAZZ, we learned all about his legal
battles with Sony that eventually resulted in the formation of Mouzon's
own record label, Tenacious, which has been re-releasing Mouzon's hard-to-
find catalog under its "Classics Series" logo. One of these reissues,
EARLY SPRING, landed in our very first Ten Best list back in 1988 (then
published in San Diego's now-defunct THE JAZZ LINK), so listening to the
CD again naturally brought back many fond memories of our first discovery
of this melodically gifted music maker.
The opening title track is the epitome of breezy, contempojazz
mellifluousness. Did we say Alphonse was a drummer? Then who's that
playing the splendid solo acoustic piano intro to "Alone In Paris"?
Yes,
it's Alphonse, the same multi-instrumentalist who plays ALL the
instruments on the track! The midtempo love song "We Almost Made It"
is
notable for its sweet alto sax by Brandon Fields. Other saxists on the
record include Gary Meek, Ernie Watts, and Ronnie Laws. Mouzon seems to
know everyone in jazz!
His bouncy rendition of Miles Davis and Victor Feldman's "Seven Steps
To
Heaven" is a treat, featuring Watts' wild tenor blowing. The marching
lullabye "Waterfall" is another superb showcase for Mouzon's skills
in
crafting a dreamy piano melody and implementing it from behind the drums
as well as at the keyboards, again responsible for all instruments heard.
Alphonse has never disappointed us since EARLY SPRING and this disc
reminds us what a huge melodic talent he has always been!
PRODUCED BY: Alphonse Mouzon
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
ABOUT R&J
RHYTHM & JAZZ is published monthly by Dan Margules and uploaded to the
jazz
library of the Music/Arts forum on CompuServe. Users are encouraged to
distribute R&J to any other online services and bulletin boards to which
they have access, including the Internet, provided this file is not altered
in any manner. The contents of this file are copyrighted. No fee may be
charged for copies of R&J (other than normal download charges for online
services) by any party other than the copyright owner. R&J may not be
included in commercial shareware packages without prior written permission
of the copyright owner.
RHYTHM & JAZZ is SHAREWARE. If you enjoyed reading this issue of R&J,
please let us know by subscribing with your TAX DEDUCTIBLE donation to the
Family Violence Prevention Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to
preventing and reducing domestic violence through education.
To register this issue of RHYTHM & JAZZ:
Please send a check for ANY amount
**** made payable to "FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION FUND" ****
MAIL TO:
RHYTHM & JAZZ ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER
P.O. BOX 28788
San Diego, CA 92198-0788 U.S.A.
Even if you don't wish to register this issue of R&J, we'd love to hear
from you. Please send your comments, questions, suggestions to the e-mail
address below.
STAFF:
Publisher/Editor: Dan Margules
Contributing Writers: Wayne Radcliffe, Bethany Springs, David Spalding
RHYTHM & JAZZ ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER
P.O. BOX 28788 SAN DIEGO, CA 92198-0788
CompuServe ID: 74160,3551
(to contact us through the Internet, use 74160.3551@compuserve.com)
RHYTHM & JAZZ, VOL. 2, NO. 6, Copyright (c) 1995 Dan Margules. All rights
reserved.
