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Jun

23

Jazzy blues #1

By Ron Wynn | Filed Under Music 

This is the first of weekly regular installments covering  jazz, blues and related genres. Besides providing exposure for numerous wonderful musicians whose styles and sounds lock them out of the commercial arena, these surveys  will ease  the backlog that has developed over the past few weeks.

Josh Berman – Old Idea (Delmark)

Berman doesn’t utilize rippling lines or wavery tempos, but he and tenor saxophonist Keefe Jackson make an interesting harmonic team contrasted against vibraphonist’s Jason Adaslewicz’s shimmering,  percussive phrases. The songs are  just long enough (four-seven minutes) for some fireworks, but not excessive or  self-indulgent. Download -”Next Year A,” “What Can?,” “Let’s Pretend.”

Bobby Broom – Plays For Monk (Concord)

Here’s a new set of pithy, funky guitar numbers from one of the few guitarists able to survive in the midst of a Sonny Rollins onslaught. Broom tackles an equally tough challenge here, Thelonious Monk’s  compositional frontiers.  Where fellow guitarist Peter Bernstein used humor and counterpoint to embellish his readings of Monk classics, Broom relies on fire, rhythmic energy and excellent assistance from bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer Kobie Watkins to augment these versions. The only thing missing is “Round Midnight.” Download – “Evidence,” “In Walked Bud,” “Rhythm-a-ning.”

Kim Burrell – No Ways Tired (Shanchie)

Burrell’s soaring, amazing voice never wavers or falters through 12 energized renditions. The music’s mostly spirituals that render useless questions regarding whether this is secularized gospel or religious soul music. Kathy Burrell offers vocal relief by taking the lead for one number, but otherwise it’s Kathy Burrell’s wailing prowess and zest for salvation that make this unforgettable. Download – “No Ways Tired,” “Someone To Watch Over Me,” “My Faith Looks Up To Thee.”

Eddic C. Campbell – Tear This World Up (Delmark)

The guitar skills Eddie C. Campbell’s developed through decades of guitar-slinging on Chicago’s West Side are honed and fully on display here.  The vocals are nearly as robust, and while such names as “Lil Daddy” Outten (piano), Mojo Mark Cihlar (harmonica) and stomping electric bassist Dario Golliday aren’t well known outside the blues world, they give Campbell outstanding assistance. Download – “Big World,” “Love Me With A Feeling,” “Buesman.”

Isaac Hyaes – Black Moses (Concord/Stax)

The original two-album set proved  more elaborately arranged and structured than Hayes’ Oscar-winning Shaft.  Black Moses ranks as arguably his best overall  effort. With everyone from the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Memphis Horns to the Bar-Kays joining the proceedings, Hayes delivered cool, sensual verbal intros, exuberant leads,  and effecive keyboard support in an environment that often threatened to envelop him, but instead proved inspiring. Download – “Never Can Say Goodbye,” “Never Gonna Give You Up,” “Close To You,” “Going in Circles.”

Leela James – Let’s Do It Again (Shanachie)

James blazes away on a program that’s predominantly soul classics, though it  also includes forays into rock, funk and blues.  While some thing don’t work quite so  well (the Rolling Stones cover for one), even when she’s operating at less than peak efficiency, James’  performances still blow you away.  Download – “Clean Up Woman,” “You Know How To Love Me,” “Simply Beautiful.”

Sonny Landreth – Levee Town: Expanded Edition (Landfall)

There are five extra cuts on this new version, but it’s Landreth’s  slide guitar mastery that shines in this tribute to the Louisiana music culture that underscores   his approach. Landreth doesn’t ignore the pain and hurt that is part of the Southern tradition, but he also  knows how to replicate the sense of urgency and experimentation at the heart of all good music, especially anything from his homeland. Download – “Levee Town,” “Love and Glory,” “Deep South.”

Steve Lehman Octet – Travail, Transformation, and Flow (PI)

This eight-member unit boasts two marvelous sloists in alto saxophonist Steve Lehman and tenor saxophonist Mark Shim,  and it’s their ability to simultaneously complement and challenge each other that engages everyone else. The odd configuration of horns, brass, vibes, bass, and drums is enhanced by Jose Davis’ tuba bursts and Tim Albright’s  trombone journeys. Download – Rudreshm” “Alloy,” “No Neighborhood Rough Enough.”

Christian McBride & Inside Straight – Kind of Brown (Mack Avenue)

After experimenting with everything from the avant-garde  to smooth jazz, Christian McBride returns to  hard bop/mainstream fare with this nice quintet set that substitutes vibist Warren Wolf, Jr. for a trumpeter, and includes furous solos from saxophonist Steve Wlson and pianist Eric Scott Reed. Drummer Carl Allen’s also a monster, and proves the ideal percussive teammate for the  steady, often remarkable McBride. Download – “Theme For Kareen,” “The Shade of the Cedar Tree,” “Rainbow Wheel.”

Sonny Rollins – Reel Life (Fantasy/Concord)

The sax master cut this in 1982, but the flourishes, loops, melodic inventions, twisting phrases and huge tone don’t sound much different from what’s he currently doing.  Old friends bassist Bob Cranshaw, guitarists Bobby Broom and Yoshiaki Masuo and super special guest drummer Jack DeJohnette supplied plenty of textures and spirited reponses, but as usual it’s what came out of Sonny Rollns horn that set and defined the agenda. Download – Reel Life,” “Sonny Side Up,” Rosita’s Best Friend.”

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