RHYTHM & JAZZ March 1995 Vol. 2, No. 3
Copyright (c) 1995 Dan Margules. All rights reserved.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Welcome back to RHYTHM & JAZZ, your monthly guide to the best new
contemporary instrumental music on the planet! R&J would like to
congratulate all of this month's Grammy winners, and especially to Cachao
(whose album we reviewed last month)! What makes the Grammy Awards so
interesting is the diversity of the musical styles they cover. Where else
will you see the 3 Tenors and Tony Bennett pitted against Seal and Bonnie
Raitt? In a way, that's the type of diversity R&J has always striven
for.
We try to cover all the variations of the one musical corner of the world
largely ignored by Grammy: contemporary instrumental.
It seems no matter how much money contemporary instrumental music
makes, in the minds of the general public and the recording industry it
will always fall into that big bin referred to as Elevator Music. R&J
readers know better. We hear the richness in this niche that others miss.
We hear sounds from around the world (this month we review a Japanese
pianist and an Italian guitarist; next month we'll look at Celtic music
and
German artist Budi Seibert). We hear instruments that are drowned out by
drum machines or cliched lyrics in rap and pop songs. We get urban-
flavored R&J and country-flavored R&J. We get it all in R&J
and it's
apparently our little secret how accessible it all is to the average
listener who would ordinarily dismiss it without giving it a chance.
So keep listening to this music or it might go away. Feel privileged
that you can recognize an art form that escapes most music listeners. And
keep reading R&J every month to discover the new sounds that are being
created just for you. If they gave an award to the best group of
listeners, it ought to go to us, the followers of Rhythm & Jazz!
Dan Margules
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ULTRA! - THE SMOOTHEST AND THE COOLEST by Wayne Radcliffe
HIROKO KOKUBU - PURE HEART (JVC), 51:49
With six JVC albums out in Japan, this 1992 release is Hiroko Kokubu's
introduction to U.S. contemporary jazz audiences. While there's an
initial tendency to compare her to Keiko Matsui, Kokubu's fresh piano
stylings are more reminiscent of labelmate Makoto Ozone, with the funky
compositional flair of Don Grusin's JVC recordings. Recorded with the
usual great Los Angeles sessionaires Michael Landau, Abe Laboriel, Alex
Acuna, Gary Herbig, Chuck Findley, and Larry Williams, the former CNN
newscaster-turned-musician has turned out an exciting, polished disc of
bright, vivacious pop-jazz tunes.
"Smooth Struttin'" is highlighted by its grand horn section, also
prevalent on the energized "Vitamina" that follows. "Once
And Forever"
is a romantic, lights-out cut with solos from Oscar Castro-Neves'
acoustic guitar and Herbig's flute intertwined magnificently. Acuna's
drums and percussion lay just the right foundation for the breezy "Carry
Me With The Wind". A spicy, Latinized rendition of "Mrs. Robinson"
is
surprisingly cool and upbeat, featuring Landau's fabulous electric guitar
solo. Laboriel's electric bass on "It's Cool" gets all the players
busy
for a dynamic, rock-ish near-finale before the disc ends back on the
romantic side. This showcase CD of an undiscovered talent, which also
includes a guest vocal appearance from Yutaka, is a must-have!
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R&J Q&A
Q: I love the music you review in R&J every month. I also like more
traditional styles of jazz than you tend to cover. Aren't there any new
big band records you could recommend? - T. Langowski, New Orleans,
Louisiana.
A: While we focus primarily on more contemporary and pop-oriented formats
of instrumental music in R&J, we also enjoy putting on a big band record
once in a while. We're sure you're familiar with the GRP All-Star Big
Band, which has gotten some of the biggest names of today's jazz scene,
namely the entire GRP artist lineup, together for an acclaimed studio
album and a live follow-up from Japan. The Brecker brothers, Arturo
Sandoval, Ramsey Lewis, Dave Grusin, Chick Corea and his former drummer
Dave Weckl, pop-jazzers Eric Marienthal and Nelson Rangell, Ernie Watts,
John Patitucci, and more, all playing hard and faithful to the big band
tradition under the direction of saxophonist Tom Scott. The interesting
twist of their third and most recent CD, ALL BLUES, is the big band
treatment of ten classics derived from various incarnations of blues.
B.B. King guests on "Stormy Monday Blues" and other selections
include
Coltrane's "Some Other Blues", Monk's "Misterioso",
Dizzy's "Birks
Works", Mingus' "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat", and of course the
famous title
cut by Miles Davis. To relive more traditional Swing-era big band, try
James Dapogny's Chicago Jazz Band's HOT CLUB STOMP: SMALL BAND SWING
(Discovery). A few hot originals plus classics of Benny Goodman, Cootie
Williams, Fats Waller, and the like. A big sound from this 8-piece
"small" band; it may be small on personnel, but it's big on pizzazz!
Call (800) 377-9620 for a free Discovery catalog. We were also fortunate
enough to find a splendid independent release from a local artist right
here in San Diego (where R&J is headquartered). FIRST IMPRESSIONS by
The
Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine explodes on its opening track, "Nice
And Greazy", with blistering horn solos that are simply outstanding.
Horace Silver's "Nica's Dream", Peter Sprague's "The Elf",
and many other
selections sizzle with excitement, swinging with authenticity,
occasionally becoming modernly aggressive. Write to P.O. Box 16081 San
Diego, CA 92176 for more info. And thanks for the question.
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NEW RELEASES by Bethany Springs
PEPPINO D'AGOSTINO - VENUS OVER VENICE (Mesa), 46:20
GROOVE: Accessible acoustic guitar musings that also offer something for
guitar technique freaks to chew on. Some cuts fly with a bass-drum-
piano (plus other instruments) combo, while other tracks float with
Peppino's unaccompanied fingerstyle steel stringing. The Italian
artist's unconventional tunings are annotated in the liner notes for
fans who play.
HIGHLIGHTS: Accessible, full-band opener "Bella Donna"; melancholy
memorial "Goodbye Robbie", with Mike Marshall on mandolin, Peter
White
on accordion, and the L'Anonimo String Quartet; luscious title cut
with soft accents from Steve Kujala's wood flute; rustic, wild "Holy
Man's Smile" propelled by Charlie Bisharat's frenetic violining;
serene solo "Echo Of Delphi Valley".
ALSO CHECK OUT: D'Agostino's CLOSE TO THE HEART (Mesa); Acoustic
Alchemy's EARLY ALCHEMY (GRP); Tuck Andress' RECKLESS PRECISION
(Windham Hill Jazz); Mesa/Bluemoon's guitar sampler THE SIX STRING
OPAFIRE - RICOCHET SUN (Higher Octave), 38:26
GROOVE: Everything under the sun ricochets on this exotic, multi-
culturally-influenced debut release of eight-piece San Francisco-based
band! Writers/producers Christopher Hedge and Norman Engelleitner are
multi-instrumentalists, each contributing keyboards, guitar, and
percussion, plus hammer dulcimer, mandolin, and kalimba from Hedge.
Robert Powell plays an arsenal of string instruments, from acoustic
Hawaiian, pedal steel, and lap steel slide guitars to banjo and more
mandolin. Fretless electric bassist Michael Manring and steel pan
drummer Jeff Narell are among the other musicians on board in this
unique and, ultimately, ultra-accessible project.
HIGHLIGHTS: Jubilant chorus on opener "Zebole' (...Unity)"; chug-a-chug-
a motion of "Train To Kingston"; haunting guitar refrains and
Julian
Smedley's lead violin on the outdoorsy "Beyond The Village"; panting
kalimba and chants from percussionist Titos Sampa on the fast-paced
"Kinwani"; eight-year-old vocalist Alexandra Olney on bittersweet
closer "The Truth (...The Last Language)".
ALSO CHECK OUT: THE SOTO KOTO BAND (Higher Octave); 3RD FORCE (Higher
Octave); Craig Chaquico's ACOUSTIC HIGHWAY (Higher Octave);
Shadowfax's ESPERANTO (EarthBeat!); Michael Pluznick's CRADLE OF THE
SUN (Sona Gaia); Pan O'Rama's SILVERY BLOSSOMS (Spindletop)
HARMONIOUS WAIL - AIRBORNE (Bufflehead), 38:41
GROOVE: Folk-acoustic_swing-bluegrass from Wisconsin. Eclectic, to say
the least, and charming blending of voices with mandolin, guitar,
bass, and violin instrumentation. Two instrumentals really show off
violin finesse from Jon Vriesacker. Mandolinist and group
leader/founder Sims Delaney-Potthoff can be reached on CompuServe at
75507,1202. For more info contact label at: P.O. Box 14033, Madison,
WI 53714-0033.
HIGHLIGHTS: Toe-tappin' opener "People Stuff"; Maggie Delaney-Potthoff's
convincing lead vocal on "Why Don't You Do Right" (also sung by
Amy
Irving as Jessica Rabbit in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?"); swingin'
mandolin and clarinet (Dave Gibbs) arrangements on "After You've
Gone"; classic Fats Waller closer "It's A Sin To Tell A Lie".
ALSO CHECK OUT: Manhattan Transfer, Leon Redbone
JAZZ AT THE MOVIES BAND - ONE FROM THE HEART, SAX AT THE MOVIES II
(Discovery), 57:08
GROOVE: Fourth entry in the Bill Cunliffe-led movie music series adds a
string section for extra romance. Soloists Gary Foster, Ernie Watts,
and Rickey Woodard alternate tracks. Some surprising song choices,
but sometimes Muzak-y, especially on the song from TOP GUN and the
theme from ENDLESS LOVE.
HIGHLIGHTS: Watts delivers on sultry mood-setter "This One's From The
Heart" by Tom Waits, dug up from Coppola's mega-flop ONE FROM THE
HEART (1982); Woodard's breathy, gritty tenor on Gato Barbieri's "Last
Tango In Paris", with elegant piano counterpoints from Cunliffe; film-
noirish adaptation of "The Way We Were"; sentimental "Can
You Read My
Mind" from SUPERMAN.
ALSO CHECK OUT: JATMB's 3-CD set REEL ROMANCE (Discovery); The Michael
Garson Ensemble's ScreenThemes '93 (Discovery)
OTHER NEW STUFF...
MARC BOURELLY - FOREVER (Kiowa)
Multi-faceted fusion from smooth soprano saxophonist.
CELTIC LEGACY (Narada)
Narada's 2nd intriguing volume of various Celtic artists.
CONTINUUM (Nine Winds)
Deep, somewhat accessible East Coast fusion ensemble.
ORBERT DAVIS - UNFINISHED MEMORIES (Copia)
Slick, moody straight-ahead trumpet and flugelhorn jazz.
FATTBURGER - LIVIN' LARGE (Shanachie/Cachet)
San Diegans rebound from Charger defeat with happy R&J.
FRED HAMILTON - LOOKING BACK ON TOMORROW (Wolf Tales)
Subdued jazz trio originals by guitarist Hamilton.
DIANA KRALL - ONLY TRUST YOUR HEART (GRP)
Debut mainstream jazz crooner/pianist swings live to 2-track.
LARA & REYES - GUITARRAS HERMANAS (Higher Octave)
Dueling Ottmars from debut Texas twosome on guitars!
NARADA ARTISTS - CLOSE TO THE HEART (Narada)
Sonorous family-inspired tracks from Narada catalog.
WAYNE PEET TRIO - FULLY ENGULFED (Nine Winds)
Hard-core, mind-numbing electric fusion.
KIM PENSYL - WHEN YOU WERE MINE (Shanachie/Cachet)
Melodic piano man turns soulful on Quiet Storm smash.
ERIC REED - THE SWING AND I (MoJazz)
All-acoustic swinging bop trio led by pianist Reed.
TOM SCOTT - NIGHT CREATURES (GRP)
More funky party grooves and pop songs from top saxman.
BUDI SEIBERT - WILD EARTH (Narada Equinox)
U.S. debut of extraordinary Ralf Illenberger sideman.
RICHIE ZELLON - CAFE CON LECHE (Songosaurus)
Cutting edge fusion of Latin and jazz.
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COOL CLASSICS by Wayne Radcliffe
DAVE GRUSIN - NIGHT-LINES (GRP), 1984, 44:44
The huge assortment of titles we review each month in RHYTHM & JAZZ
would
not be possible were it not for Dave Grusin. While Grusin didn't invent
what we call contemporary jazz, nor was he the first to record it, his
ten-year-old record label, GRP (Grusin-Rosen Productions), was basically
the first entity to make this type of instrumental music commercially
viable, thereby facilitating the numerous followers (Narada, BrainChild,
Higher Octave, Private, et al) who thankfully continue putting out
product for our happy consumption.
Grusin's personal output has shifted direction in recent years to homage
projects dedicated to the greats of jazz (Duke Ellington, Gershwin).
NIGHT-LINES, however, is a superb collection of Grusin that is more up
the R&J alley. One of the "digital master" label's earlier
outputs, it
is virtually a one-man show. Grusin's use of drum machines and
synthesized bass was a radical move for him at the time, but his
masterful composing skills provide enough warmth in the melodies to keep
the project from sounding too mechanized.
Opener "Power Wave", and the title cut a little later on, both
very
hummable, use a light, snappy beat with groovin' synth chords. The
unmistakable sound of David Sanborn introduces the soulful, R&B "Thankful
N' Thoughtful" featuring powerhouse lead vocals by Phoebe Snow. Grusin's
scoring work for film and television is well-known, and one of his more
popular TV themes, "St. Elsewhere", is included here. Songwriter
Randy
Goodrum voices two of his three contributions, the jazzy pop ballad
"Haunting Me" and the Michael Franks-like "Tick Tock".
"Secret Place"
from the Richard Benjamin film RACING WITH THE MOON brings a reflective,
solo acoustic piano pause to the proceedings. "Kitchen Dance"
takes the
listener back to the instrumental energy of the opening cut. The
baseball tale of Goodrum's "Somewhere Between Old And New York",
sung
beautifully by Snow, is one of the best vocals I've yet to hear on an R&J
record ever. Finally the disc closes on the dreamy, new age-y "Bossa
Baroque". It's one outstanding track after another on this cool classic!
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ABOUT R&J
RHYTHM & JAZZ is published monthly by Dan Margules and uploaded to the
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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. 3, Copyright (c) 1995 Dan Margules. All rights
reserved.
