WORD Magazine - The Soul of Urban Culture

Russell Malone
Heartstrings (Verve)

Guitarist Russell Malone has created a definitive CD with his latest release, Heartstrings. On this album, Malone has employed a stellar group of musicians in Kenny Barron (piano), Christian McBrige (bass) and Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums). This quartet, by any standard, is quite solid on their own, but add the expertise of Tommy LiPuma's production along with lush string arrangements and the result is arguably Malone's best work. A lot of the songs are mellow jazz standards like Milt Jackson's "Heartstrings" or Irving Berlin's "How About Me", but Malone provides one of his own buoyant and lyrical compositions, "Loved Ones". Favorites may be the traditional "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" for its soulful interpretation or "Wind In The Willow" for the interplay of bass, guitar and strings.
- Garnet Gibson

Ronny Jordan is back again with his energetic brand of jazz-guitar infused funk. Heavy bass lines and steady drum tracks are definitely the norm for a Jordan collection, whose sound is always funky and fun. Vocals always play a part in Jordan's musical style and Fay Simpson and Sy Smith sound sweet on the R&B tracks "Keep Your Head Up" and "Once Or Twice", respectively. Love-Child provides the vocals on the hip hop slanted "Intro - Get Ready" and converses with Jordan, or rather, has his romantic interlude interrupted by Jordan, on "Ronny, You 'Talk' Too Much!". Purists may want to push this sound toward "alternative" or "acid" and away from "jazz", but labels aside Jordan's music makes the toes tap with continuous ease.
- Garnet Gibson

This is vibrant and expressive artistry, this is entertaining jazz vocals, "This Is Carmen Lundy"! Lundy's powerful, emotive voice is almost spiritual in its joy of being. Her every lyric is pronounced with an element of happiness, encouraging even the most cursory of listeners to to be affected. Lundy's voice has enough strength to compete with the robust horn play of Mark Shim (tenor & alto sax), Bobby Watson (alto sax) and Kevin Louis (trumpet & flugelhorn). "This is the End of A Love Affair" could be a sad and bluesy number but the bright prance of the horn arrangements along with Lundy's matter-of-fact expression just won't allow the tune to sulk.Conversely, the muted horn and soft piano in "Now That He's Gone" aptly accentuate the more somber Lundy. Carmen's brother, bassist Curtis Lundy, plays on the project that features all original compositions by Carmen.Other standouts include "(I Dream) In Living Colour" and "Seventh Heaven".
- Garnet Gibson

These 14 tracks have been worn out on my CD player. It's that good. Conceived, compiled and mixed by Smash this record throws down a challenge to the Jazz police who are quick to jump in with the what is jazz rhetoric.Smash brings great credentials. Giant Step's orginal DJ (90-93), Smash has roamed through Blue Notes remixes and cherry-picked the best.Groove-centred, the tracks serves a cast of remixers that reads like a who's who. Remixes by Guru, DJ Spinna, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Joe Claussell, Todd Terry, US3, Blaze, Nitin Sawhney,The Amalgamation Sounds and Smash himself are featured.The music provided for these djs to showcase their special talents include Ronny Jordan feat. Mos Def ("A Brighter Day"), St. Germain ("Rose Rouge"), Greg Osby feat. CL Smooth ("Raise") and Salif Keita feat. Grace Jones ("Talon Willie") among others.Wicked!
- K.W.

The smiling animated faces on the cover are a good indication of fun grooves on this album. Bright, funky and soulful, the collection offers the listener an easily enjoyable vibe. Kombo is the artistic combination of Ron Pedley (B3 Organ, keyboards) and Jon Pondel (guitars) who had previously formed the L.A. band Uncle Festive.Cookin' Out is Kombo's follow-up to their 1999 debut album The Big Blast. Pedley and Pondel offer some tasty original jazz/soul compositions at this cookout such as, "Tip Of The Hat", "Line of March" and "Beat 66". Kombo also plays a couple of covers, War's "Low Rider" and Bill Wither's "Use Me/Green Eyed Lady." Most tracks are cool instrumentals but "Stoned Soul Picnic" and "Hush" offer the sultry sweet vocals of Sharon Hendrix.
- Garnet Gibson

The World Saxophone Quartet consists of four saxophonists, Oliver Lake (alto), John Purcell (saxello, alto-flute), David Murray (tenor, bass clarinet) and Hamiet Bluiett (baritone) who are celebrating their silver anniversary as a group. Each has seen success as individual artists but the group has survived the 25 years (Julius Hemphill was an original member before Purcell) playing their brand of jazz. The New Chapter offers more harmonies and less of the harsh tonalities and blaring riffs that were heard in their last CD, Requiem For Julius. This makes for a much easier listen and does less to intimidate the listener with complex layers and structures of the compositions. Fans, musical technicians and sax aficionados may not agree but the sum of each individual part may be greater than the whole.
- Garnet Gibson

URI CAINE, CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE, AHMIR THOMPSON
Philadelphia Experiment (Ropeadope Records)

A keyboardist, a bassist and a drummer - three masters of funk recorded this soon-to-be classic over a few days in the Roots studio in Philly.Together they've produced one of the most dynamic funk-jazz records of the year.All three are old friends and this easy familiarity serves to make the record even stronger.Four of the CD's 12 tracks: "Philadelphia Experiment," "Grover," "Lesson #4,"and "reMoved" are written by either one or all three members.That they work effortlessy alongside some classic cuts is a testament to their talent. The classics includes Marvin Gaye's "Trouble Man," Grover Washington's "Mr. Magic, Sun Ra's "Calling All Demons", Elton John's "Philadelphia Freedom" and Catalyst's Ile Ife." Guitarist Pat Martino and trumpeter John Swana drop in as guest for a little extra flavour.The beats are phat and the playing is naturally highly skilled and downright funky.

Sarah Vaughan has always attracted high praise from singers and musicians alike for her multi-octave range and her soulfulness. Simply put she was Divine. Naturally, Dianne Reeves among the best singers of this generation would be attracted to her music. Produced by George Duke, Reeves' longtime collaborator this 11 track tribute comes tightly packaged with a 42- piece orchestra, some of whom backed The Divine One herself. The results are excellent. Especially on tracks such as "Lullaby of Birdland," "Embraceable You" and "If You Could See Me Now." There are times, however, that I wished the orchestra wasn't there, given Reeves own amazing voice. She sometimes has to compete with the big band which robs us of a more intimate experience on some tracks.
- K.W.

Quite simply, "Jazz: The Story of America's Music" is the Jazz event of the new millennium.What Ken Burn has done is more than just a collection of 100 or so, jazz songs strung together on five CD's. Ken Burns, the creator of award-winning TV series The Civil War and Baseball, has done more than merely put together 100 Jazz recordings in an attractive box set. Burns has created an actual event, a happening in Jazz music! Along with the five CD set comes a nation wide 10-part series on PBS (available on video and DVD), a book and a wonderfully interactive website (www.pbs.org/jazz). The TV series details the creation of America's first form of "urban music" and its evolution into the universally accepted, globally respected and nationally treasured art form that it is today. It is fair to say that this CD collection is just an obvious multi-media partner to the TV series but it has life of its own, as a Jazz chronicle. Louis Armstrong (creator) and Duke Ellington (innovator) headline a wave of Jazz luminaries that includes Jelly Roll Morton, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Jazz, being the oceanic music for that it is, could not be truly covered in five (or even 15) CD's, so there are many omissions of mostly present day Jazz artists. But the collection is as much entertaining and educational, as it is fine accompaniment for a PBS series.
- Garnet Gibson

Cuban jazz giant, Chucho Valdes, stands as tall as a New York Trade tower. Large in stature and talent, pianist Valdes enthralls the audience with his solo performance. Recorded live from the Lincoln Centre during the 1998 concert series "Jazz in the Penthouse," Valdes is in his usual fine form. Valdes is renowned for his direction of the Grammy award winning band Irakere but he shines equally as bright here in solo format. The performance is excellent, filled with talent and energy that is flavoured with Latin or Afro-Cuban spirit. Valdes' powerful abilities are most evident on "Tres Lindas Cubanas," Latin inflected "Son" as well as the boldand expressive "Rumba Quajira".
- Garnet Gibson

The Ken Burns JAZZ event is still sending reverbs through the music/jazz world. The latest installments serve as purer doses of the "ingredients" that were included in the box set. Individual artists' recordings are featured here and the collections are presented under the hallmark of "the definitive." Some artists' "definitive" collections would be much better served with double or triple CDs but the CD's allow the listener to get a well-rounded feel for the works of such luminaries as:

THELONIUS MONK. The great innovator of the bee-bop piano could never be defined in 14 cuts but Monk's playing is so irregular that it can seemingly change each time you play his music. Improvisation personified, Monk's music breathes a deep love/joy for the musical expression that is jazz. Monk played with style that hesitated ("Misterioso"), pounded ("Epistrophy"), pranced ("Twinkle, Twinkle") and soothed ("Ruby, My Dear") along with his unique vibe but alwaysin synch with the band.

CHARLES MINGUS. Mingus is truly one of the most interesting characters of the jazz hay-days. His upbeat and flashy style made his play swing like none other and his compositions dance with attitude. Who else would create tunes with names like "Eat That Chicken", "Solo Dancer-Stop! Look! And Listen, Sinner Jim Whitney" or "The Shoes of the Fisherman's Wife are Some Jive Ass Slippers". But, Mingus also created some great jazz standards like "Mood Indigo" and "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat". One listen to the bass intro and the organized fury of the "Haitian Fight Song" or any section of "Better Get Hit In Your Soul" will give glimmer of the light that was Mingus.

HERBIE HANCOCK. Chances are, Hancock will be remembered for his 1983 smash hit "Rockit" but that is not entirely a shame. What is more of a shame is the fact that he is one of too few jazz greats that survived into the 80's! Nevertheless, with longevity comes change and Hancock has been a chameleon living in a very beautiful environ. From the melodic chorus of "Watermelon Man" (1962) to the funky synth bassline of "Chameleon" (1973) to the DJ scratch of "Rockit," Hancock has developed into an understated giant.

MILES DAVIS. Davis could never be, should never be summed into one volume. His contributions are too great and influences far too many. But, for the sake of conformity with the "Ken Burns JAZZ" compilations, a smattering has been offered. Along with immortal jazz standards "So What" and "Walkin' Burns has included lesser cuts (loosely termed) like "Generique" and "Gingerbread Boy" as well. Magnificent Miles,simply presented in an educational or an informative manner.
- Garnet Gibson

Expect something different. Don Byron the clarinetist, composer and arranger is far from the norm, much closer to the irregular/eclectic and changing all the time. Byron challenges the listener by mixing and contrasting the songs of Henry Mancini, Stevie Wonder, Roy Orbison or Leonard Bernstein along with originals (Basquiat). Byron's sound is always surprising due to its versitility and changes in style. On his first Bluenote album, Byron was creating rhythmic collaborating with rappers and poets, now on his third Bluenote recording, his sound is smoother and more about melodies working with vocalists. On the operatic "Glitter and Be Gay" soprano Patricia O'Callaghan sparkles and also shines on the classic Wonder cut, "Creepin". Orbison's "Its Over" features the aptly melancholy vocals of Mark Ledford and Cassandra Wilson lends her brand of moody vocals to "The Ladies Who Lunch".
- Garnet Gibson

By now you've heard the buzz on the upcoming acclaimed documentary series, Jazz on PBS beginning in January 2001.With The Civil War and Baseball behind him, Ken Burns, America's most celebrated documentary filmmaker trains his camera on its "greatest artform" and in so doing has already sparked a torrent of re-releases of the greatest names in jazz. Charlie Parker aka Bird, is one of 11 of giants of jazz the represented here with 16 of his best.Others are Count Basie, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey,Ella Fitzgerald, Coleman Hawkins, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Lester Young, and Sonny Rollins. Parker and his Alto Saxophone changed the way jazz was played and heard.From "Ornithology" to "Embraceable You," and "Hot House" to "Parker's Mood." Sixteen tracks later and you'll reach for the start button. Over and over. And over.And...you get my drift. Pure gold. Let's see...there's also a 5-CD Boxed set. See yah! - K.W.

She was called The Divine One. Her deep rich tone, her vocal dexterity and her ability to captivate an audience in a live performance is what separates Sarah Vaughan from the pack as one of the all time greatest jazz artists. Peep Cassandra Wilson, Jill Scott and Rachelle Ferrell and you get a sense of her legacy.Deep.Tracks like "They Can't Take That", "Can't Get Out of This Mood" will definitely put you in the mood.There is also the haunting "Lover Man" and the very entertaining "Autumn Leaves" where she gives one and all a lesson in scatting.No wonder she was considered one of the greatest instumentalist. With her voice! - K.W.

John Scofield aka Sco, is one of the masters of the guitar. As a jazz musician, his history is deep, playing with with the greats such as Miles Davis as well as fronting his own outfits. He'a also noted for the groove. Here he along with other funky, soul jazz masters such as saxophonist Eddie Harris, drummer Idris Muhammad get it on with "Do Like Eddie." He also laces this CD with "Kool" and "Big Top." - K.W.

With a voice that can be best described as a strong whisper Patricia Barber engages an entrances all the listeners of the "nightclub". The name "Nightclub" is very fitting with the style of the collection of Jazz standards presented in a very smokey, friendly, relaxed bar-like atmosphere. Actually, most cuts are moody ballads where Barber breathes the lyrics in such a melancholy fashion it would accentuate the laments of the most experienced barfly. Tempo and love-themes aside, the collection is a wonderful display of strong subtleties that soothes and sublimes the audience. "Invitations", "Alfie" and "Just For a Thrill", which features labelmate Charlie Hunter on 8-string guitar, best exemplify this mellow groove. - G. G.

CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE
Sci-Fi (Verve/Universal)

Christian McBride is understandably one of the most sought after bassist in Jazz today. He is simply tremendous. He has received credits on many albums playing with jazz artists such as George Benson, Joshua Redman, Roy Hargrove and Benny Green (see review on this page). Here on Sci-Fi, as the name may indicate, McBride's compositions are adventurous and expressive ("Xerxes", "Science Fiction"). McBride also performs an interpretation of Sting's "Walking On The Moon" and dedicates a song to another great bass player, Stanley Clarke, playing Clarke's "Butterfly Dreams". Guest appearances include James Carter (bass clarinet), Dianne Reeves (vocals) and Herbie Hancock (piano). - Garnet Gibson

JOSHUA REDMAN
Beyond (Warner Brothers)

Armed with his mighty weapon, the superhero ascends to even greater heights to defend the planet - Jazz! Super (sax) man Joshua Redman is back from "beyond" and has assembled another great collection of Jazz music. This time Redman has fashioned his own compositions and arrangements to artistic perfection, contrasting Timeless Tales (for changing times), where Redman redefined the splendour of other wonderful composers, from Gershwin and Rogers & Hammerstein to Cole Porter and Prince. Redman's works continue to not confound the listener with complexity but encourage one to listen/enjoy more intently to the sheer artistry of the music and musicians. Those musicians include Reuben Rogers (bass), Aaron Goldberg (piano), Gregory Hutchinson (drums) and Mark Turner who plays wonderful saxophone conversations with Redman on "Leap of Faith". Other notable tracks include the soft ballad "Neverend", "Stoic Revolutions" and charging "Last Rites of Rock &Roll".- GG

EVERETTE HARP
For The Love (EMI/Bluenote)

Saxophonist Everette Harp has just releasee his 6th CD with Blue Note, For the Love. Once an innovator of a style that is no longer innovative, Harp's blend of Jazz with R&B is still big on providing listeners with an easily enjoyable flavour. Harp plays his saxophone with such warm lyrical phrasing that it is cousy for the romantic "I Miss Me With You" and aggressively fitted in, "Right Back Atcha", "Love Conditionally" is another favourite for its tight R&B groove along with "Dancin' With You" which features Doc Powell on guitar.- GG

BENNY GREEN
Naturally (Telarc)

Don't let the young-boyish demeanor or the ultra bright smile fool you, Benny Green is a man among men. With the guidance and leadership of two Jazz icons, Oscar Peterson and Ray Brown, Green has his roots planted deeply. Green is steadily becoming one of Jazz music's top pianists, with a joy and passion for the art that ensures that his ascension is inevitable. This same love of the music always shines through Green's creative and technical polish making his arrangements most entertaining to hear. Duke Ellington's "Love You Madly" and Wayne Shorter's "Lester Left Town" are both evidence of Green's buoyancy. Showing great love and respect for his fellow musicians, Green even included a composition for each of his accompanists, "Captain Hook" for bassist Christian McBride and "Russellin" for guitarist Russell Malone. In his music and even the CD liner notes Benny Green expresses his love,naturally.- GG.

VARIOUS
Silence on Jazz (Verve)

Verve has put together another excellent collection of Jazz - Silence On Jazz. This collection though, can serve as a lesson in Jazz. As well as being entertaining and quite enjoyable to listen to, it serves as a whos-who of jazz architects from the days (50's - 60's) when Jazz had gained prominence. One glimpse of the roster is evidence of the sheer power; Bill Evans & Jim Hall, Gerry Mulligan & Ben Webster, Charlie Parker, Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan ... you get the idea! All the selections are well made and give the listener a wide array of styles to appreciate.

GEORGE BENSON
Absolute Benson (GRP)

Jazz icon, George Benson has done it again.... Put together a great collection of music that can only be called "Absolute Benson". Not too much has changed in terms of style or presentation but why would Benson want to do that? When the music you play is widely accepted and greatly appreciated across many genres and generations, why change athing! Every track on the CD is delightful, so favourites are difficult to select but notables are latin influenced "The Ghetto" and "El Barrio" which feature Benson's signature vocalizations over his deft guitar. Benson also sings a few verses of Ray Charles' "Come Back Baby" but instrumentation leads the way on Stevie Wonder's "Lately" and Marc Antoine's "Jazzenco". Pianist Joe Sample contributes greatly with his superb playing and songwriting,while Christian McBride is featured on two cuts.The only thing wrong with the collection is that nine tracks are not enough.- Garnet Gibson

WARREN HILL
Love Life (Naranda Jazz/EMI)

Warren Hill debuts on the Naranda Jazz label with a coalition of easy listening songs, led by his soulful saxophone. Complex compositions are replaced with Hill's lyrical playing and even his lyrical forays. Hill's sounds are versatile, Latin flavour on "Mambo 2000", soft reggae vibes on "Why You Gotta Worry?" and bouncy R&B on "Mister Magic". Hill sounds best when he blows smooth jazzy licks over mellow grooves such as "Doesn't Get Any Better" or the cover of the Commodore's "Easy". Hill displays his versatility as an artist on three tracks by adding his own vocals but they are lacking in appeal especially beside his strong sax.- Garnet Gibson

HAMIETT BLUIETT
With Eyes Wide Open (Justin Time)

Veteran saxophonist Hamiett Bluiett offers a group of compositions that are entertaining and sometimes challenging on new CD, "With Eyes Wide Open". Endowed with enough skill and acumen to provoke listeners on any level, Bluiett plays his baritone sax at a pace that is mostly warm and welcoming (Africa / Island Song, Song for Camille). But, not to placate, he plays in an avante garde-ish style on "Enum", sometimes wailing and screeching as only Buiett can do. "Monk & Wes" and "1529 Gunn Street" are favs for their enthusiastic bee-bop swing, also for the entrancing guitar of Ed Cherry. Nasheet Wait (drums) and Jaribu Shahid (bass) roundout this adventuresome quartet. Don't be timid, enter with your ears wide open, and give a listen.- G.G.

ROY HARGROVE
Moment to Moment (Verve)

Roy Hargrove continues to grow and evolve as a Jazz artist and is always doing things a little different than the last. On an earlier album (Habana, 1997), Hargrove was working and playing with the Cuban infusion in his music, now he is "with strings". The result is a lush, sublime soundscape that is as pleasing to the spirit as it is to the ear. Hargrove has created a sound that fills a space, envelopes you and washes over you in waves. Larry Willis, Gil Goldstein and Cedar Walton divide the credits for string arrangements while Hargrove assumes the task on his own composition "Natural Wonders". Suffice to say, all the songs are slow ballads, mellow and leisurely, aptly contributing to the peaceful mood that is inevitable.- Garnet Gibson

OLIVER LAKE STEEL QUARTET
Kinda' Up (Justin Time Records)

Oliver Lake has always dared to be different as a jazz musician.
From his work as a saxophonist with the World Saxophone Quartet to his solo projects, he's always taking musical risks. The end result is usually rewarding as a music listener. Especially one who doesn't want the tried and true. On this ambitious experiment with Lake's Steel Quartet, steel drum player, Lyndon Achee delivers some very inspiring playing in a jazz setting. Sometimes as a lead player, other times in accompaniment with Lake' forceful sax playing. "Land of the Freaks", "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat", "Yes You Broke", are a few excellent examples. The latter also features some fine work on bass by Reginald Washington and drummer Pheeroan. Six of the nine tunes are penned by Oliver Lake.The others features music written by John Coltrane, Charles Mingus and Sonny Simmons. An excellent showcase for the steel drum.- K.W.

GREG OSBY
The Invisible Hand (Blue Note)

Saxophonist Greg Osby continues to display his masterful skills on his ninth Blue Note CD as a bandleader. On "The Invisible Hand" Osby's latest, he has recruited the veteran skills of Andrew Hill (piano) and Jim Hall (guitar), the result is Osby's characteristic blend organic compositions and expressive instrumentation. Osby doesn't stray into the fusion of the past (3D Lifestyles, Black Book) but still soars, sometimes over the heads of listeners, with his cerebral compositions. It appears that the presence of the elder players keeps the project anchored in contemporary jazz areas.

SHAZZ
SHAZZ (Sony Music)

Shazz has a sound that fits firmly into the genre of Alternative Dance music. With soulful saxophones over mellow funky drumbeats (Batignolles Square) or piano solos driving over high-hat house beats (El Camino) it all sounds good. The problem with many of the tracks is the simple drum programming that is even close to identical on "Carry On" and "Love You My Way." House beats prevail and provide a fun, buoyant dance vibe that is sometimes accentuated well with vocals ("Carry On") but not so well others ("Pray.")

JANE BUNNETT & THE SPIRIT OF HAVANNA
Ritmo + Soul (EMI Music)

Still strongly infused with the "spirit of Havana, Cuba," Bunnett is
becoming a sort of icon for the blending of jazz and Afro-Cuban music. This CD is arguably Bunnett's best work to date and will further establish her as a fine saxophonist and flutist. The collection features many strong compositions that exude a joy for the music and not merely expressions of artistry, making it a very entertaining listen. "Joyful Noise" and "The River / El Rio" are pure pleasure, danceable and enjoyable for their excellent horns, acrobatic percussion and enthusiastic vocals. Bunnett's long-time friend and playing companion shines on piano throughout but most notably on "Osain." "Journey Back" is also a favourite as it features the composing and trumpet play of Larry Cramer melded beautifully with the flute of Bunnett and the soulful vocals of Dean Bowman.

BEBEL GILBERTO
Tanto Tempo (Ziriguiboom/Crammed Disc)

Bebel Gilberto offers a mix of Bossa Nova music that is soft and soothing. As a collection, the compositions are relaxing and ambient, providing more of a peaceful mood rather than vibrant entertainment. Daughter to prestigious Brazilian musician Joao Gilberto, Bebel is true to her roots singing sweetly throughout with an airy voice that was trained by her mother Miucha. "Close Your Eyes" is distinct because it has some English vocals and it is one of the few up-tempo tracks. Title track, "Tanto Tempo" and "Lonely" are indicative of the rhythmic styling for their mellow tempo, soft Latin vocals and smooth instrumentation.

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