Author Archive for Len

31
Aug

Chris Beckers-seven Frames Of Mind

Originally hailing from the Netherlands Guitarist Chris Beckers has put together an altogether listenable album.

One of my favourite Bass players-Jimmy Haslip features here as as well.

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The album also features Drummer Simon Phillips and Keyboardsit Jasper Van Hof.

Go to Chris Beckers website here.

28
Aug

Magma-Jan Gunnar Hoff

This is a CD that I have been thoroughly enjoying.

Supported by the Arts Council Norway it features:

Jan Gunnar Hoff-Keys
Mike Stern-Guitar
Audun Klieve-Drums
Mathias Eick-Trumpet
Bjorn Kjellemyr-Bass
Maria Joao-Vocals
Helge Norbakken-Perc
Eivind Aarset-Guitar 4 tracks

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Go to review here.

Jan Gunnar Hoff on My Space

08
Aug

Bernhard Lackner-In Between

Just enjoying this release from Bassist Bernhard Lackner.

Bernhard is an Austrian based in Nashville and the album was produced by that other great bass player Adam Nitti.

Adam Nitti’s recent CD Liminal is reviewed elswhere on this site.

Very melodic music 8 tracks in all with guests Adam Holzman on keys, Derico Watson Drums, and Steve Cunningham plays some really nice lap steel throughout.

Love his thick sound and great and great compositions. Also love the great keyboard solo from Adam Holzman on Being Away track 6.

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Check this album out its a nice listen!

23
Jul

Absolute Zawinul- Absolute Ensemble

From his early days with Cannonball Adderley and a stint with Miles Davis Joe Zawinul co- led Weather Report for many incredible years.

Joe had his own brand of Fusion completley unique to him.

This new release features 8 marvellous tracks of classic Zawinul compositions.The recording was his last before he passed away in September 2007.

The opening track “Bimoya”recorded previously on “My People”(Escapade Music) is very african?, with lots of great chanting and heavy rhythms.
“Good Day” is quite funky with gospel like vocals accompanying the tune early on. Featured vocalists are Sabine Kabongo, Allegre Corea, and Aziz Sahmaoui.
The line up of musicians is impressive with Paco Sery on Drums and Linley Marthe on Electric Bass, Plus of course a killer horn section and orchestra led by Kristjan Jarvi.
Weather Report released an album called Sportin’ Life way back in March 1985. On that release was agreat track called ” Ice Pick Willy” This was a post Jaco band with Zawinul dominating the sound again. ( not that he ever went away!)
‘Ice Pick Willy” is featured here as well in a completly different setting.
As a long time fan of Zawinuls work I have enjoyed this recording .

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Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

26
Jun

Scott Dubois-Blackhawk Dance

This is my first time listening to New York guitarist Scott Dubois, and this is his fourth release to date.
Scott tours both the US and Europe and has performed with Chris Potter and Dave Liebman

Blackhawk Dance ( Sunnyside Records) is quite a revelation.
At times soulful and haunting and sparse as in “Illinois Procession Rain” and then quite fiery and intense into  ”Dust Celebration”.

This is a great working quartet that works together very well. Dubois’ fast, cool sounding yet fiery runs are quite amazing.

Sax and Clarinet player Gebhard Ullman is superb here.

“Louis Frederic” the closing track introduces a distorted Dubois with great intensity and improvisation.
This album will provide solitude and intensity when ever you feel like it.

Scott Dubois-Blackhawk Dance- Sunnyside Records

blackhawkdance

Scott Dubois-Guitar
Gebhard Ullmann-Tenor/Soprano Sax and Bass Clarinet
Thomas Morgan-Bass
Kresten Osgood-Drums

I was going to add a sample track but it would not do any justice to the great music on this CD.

Just get out there and buy it!!
Highly reccommended.

13
Jun

Gerald Gradwohl Trio-Sally Beth Roe

I have been a big fan of Gerald Gradwohl for some years now.

I first heard him on ABQ which featured bassist Gary Willis (Tribal Tech, Uncle Moes Space Ranch )
Then came Tritone Barrier in 2007.

I also was impressed with Threeo-Live  a superb live recording done in 1998, featuring the late Bob Berg, this one is a killer!
You can obtain all these releases from Geralds website .
His newest recording features his trio with Jojo Lackner-Bass and Farid Al Shami on Drums.

This album rocks out and is a delight.
I hear Holdsworth, Scott Henderson and Gambale all obvious influences.

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For a really great track that is just pure fusion listen to “No Matter” which also features a lovely bass solo from Lackner.

No Matter from Gerald Gradwohls -Sally Beth Roe  

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19
May

Anthony Jackson-Yiorgos Fakanas-Interspirit

Anthony Jackson has been a much in demand Bass player for a very long time.
In all those years he has played with too many people to mention.
At last he has come up with a project featuring fellow bassist Yiorgos Fakanas.

Frank Gambale, Mitch Forman and Dave Weckl are just some of the featured musicians together with a killer horn section and string quartet.

Apart from the tune Footprints all music is composed by Yiorgos Fakanas.

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You can check out the CD here

Here’s a sample from the opening track

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30
Apr

Alex Machacek-24 Tales

The latest release from  Guitarist Alex Machacek does not dissapoint.

As always Alex has managed to create something quite different.
Teaming up with drummer Marco Minneman, alex has composed his music in 24 parts over a 51 minute drum solo from Marco!
This is quite extraodinary music which does challenge the senses, but is well worth the listening.
Alex plays guitar and everything else! Whilst Sumitra provides vocals on 1 track, and Martin Ptak plays trombone on three tracks.
This project has been 2 years in the making.

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Get your copy here

Here is a sample   :

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Coming soon the new one from Lenny White.

23
Apr

Mahavishnu Orchestra 1972-Syracuse Library

If you are a Mahavishnu fan like me, you will love this !

From 1972, live at Syracuse University.

This was “The” band of the day, probably one of the greatest Jaz Rock Fusion  bands ever.

Go to this link here.

I am sure you will enjoy the book written by Walter Koloski- Power, Passion, Beauty-The Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra.
You can find it here.

Enjoy !

22
Apr

John McLaughlin And The 4th Dimension- To The One

Finally got hold of this new release from John McLaughlin with his 4th Dimension Band.

Boy what a band !

On Bass from Cameroon, Etienne M’Bappe

On Drums- Mark Mondesir

On Keys-Gary Husband -(Also features on Drums)

As always McLaughlin is stunning with his music, and his band is a killer !
Prior to his Industrial Zen release in 2006 ( his last for a major label), his last release was Thieves and Poets (2003)
It is great to see that John has been so active lately.
Floating Point for me in 2008 was a highlight. The DVD The Making of Floating Point set in India was incredible !
Also check out his Live in Belgrade DVD release with the 4th Dimension with Dominique di Piazza on Bass.

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Wonderful playing on this disc, and I must say I am really enjoying Etienne M’Bappe’s Bass playing!
A must for McLaughlin fans!

Here is a sample

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