CD Review: Leslie Lewis - Keeper of the Flame

CD Review: Leslie Lewis - Keeper of the Flame

Featured Artist: Leslie Lewis

CD Title: Keeper of the Fame

Year: 2010

Record Label: Surf Cove Jazz

Style: Jazz Vocals

Musicians: Leslie Lewis (vocals), Gerard Hagen (piano), Domenis Genova (bass), Jerry Kalaf (drums, percussions)

Review:
Leslie Lewis is all a good jazz singer should be. Her beautiful tone and classy phrasing on tracks like Day by day, You don't know what love is and Speak Low evokes the sound of the classic jazz singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan.

On the title track Keeper of the Flame Leslie soulful voice plays beautifully with the melodies and tempo changes with Jerry Kalaf adding a powerful drums solo. And her silky, smooth vocals on the jazzy version of Ivan Lins The Island hits you full of emotion.

The brazilian influence can be heard all through this album, especially on the tracks Day by day, the jazzy arrangements of Antonio Carlos Jobim A Felicidade, Chega de Saudade and the sublime version of Fotografia. On these tracks at times one may hear echoes of the Ella Fitzgerald sings Jobim album, both in tone and phrasing.

As a puertorrican I always enjoy listening to Juan Tizol Caravan, one of the most recorded jazz classics. Leslie vocals are just perfect on one of the best version I have heard recently, with interesting rhythmic and harmonic choices.

Leslie Lewis vocals are complimented perfectly by her husband, Gerard Hagen Trio, and special guest Gary Foster on sax.

Tracks: Keeper of the Flame, The Island, Spring is here, Day by day, A Felicidade, You don't know what love is, Fotografia, Chega de Saudade (No more blues), Speak Low, Caravan

Reviewed by: Wilbert Sostre

CD Review: Dual Rhythm Big Band

CD Review: Dual Rhythm Big BandFeatured Artist: Dual Rhythm

CD Title: Big Band

Year: 2010

Record Label: Independent

Style: Various Jazz Styles

Musicians: Ernest Bland (percussion), Paul Rosenberg (piano), John Lee (guitar), Dan Hall (bass), Lawrence Dean (drums), Perry Contichio (sax)

Review:
Dual Rhythm goal is to sound like a quartet in a duo setting. Well, mission accomplished. This guys definitly sound bigger, more like a Big Band, even though they are just two, Ernest "Ebongo" Bland on percussions and Paul Rosenberg on piano. That big sound hits you since the first track, Shoreline.

Dual Rhythm cited influences by Gillespie, Jerry Gonzalez and Tito Puente, there is no doubt all this and more may be heard on the fusion of latin, jaz and R&B sounds. Gillespie influence is present for sure in the track Sligo Bop.

Ernest provides the vocals on the Beatles medley, the bluesy sounds of I don't know what love is, and the soul style of Mariposa and These arms of mine.

The organ like sound and guitar solo combined with the percussions gives the track Absence of Excess a 70's rock feeling, similar to Santana. Summer End starts like a ballad and then change into infectious latin/cuban rhythms.

Paul and Ernest chose two jazz classics to close an album of mostly originals, Ellington African Flower and a Medley of Shorter Night Dreamer and Mongo Santamaria Afro Blue. The album includes some guest artists, John Lee on guitar, Dan Hall on bass, Lawrence Dean on drums and Perry Contichio on sax.

Tracks: Shoreline, Sun Medley (Beatles Medley), Absence of Excess, I don't know what love is, Mariposa, Summer's end, Alice dances the Bossa Nova, Desire, Sligo Bop, These arms of mine, African Flower, Night Dreamer/Afro Blue

Artist's Website: http://www.myspace.com/dualrhythm

Reviewed by: Wilbert Sostre

CD Review: Kenia Celebrates Dorival Caymmi

CD Review: Kenia Celebrates Dorival Caymmi

Featured Artist: Kenia Ashby

CD Title: Kenia Celebrates Dorival Caymmi

Year: 2010

Record Label: Kenia

Style: World Music

Musicians: Kenia Ashby (vocals), Fernando Merlino (piano), Leo Traversa (bass), Airto Moreira (percussion), Jay Ashby (percussion, trombone, vocals), Lucas Ashby (percussion), Ian Ashby (percussion, vocals), Thomas Wendt (drums), Eric Sussoef (guitar), Marty Ashby (guitar), Tatjana Chamis, Fabiana Chamis (vocals)

Review: Dorival Caymmi, one of the best brazilian songwriters, is to samba what Tom Jobim is to Bossa Nova. Some of the best sambas ever written are from Dorival Caymmi, and I can not think of a better singer to do an homage to Caymmi than Kenia Ashby. Kenia melodious voice and elegant phrasing is a perfect match to Caymmi fun lyrics and infectious rhythms.

You will find classics on this CD like Voce ja foi a Bahia?, Doralice, Eu vou pra Maracangalha and the beautiful interpretation of Sabado em Copacabana. Kenia Ashby is a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, currently living in Pittsburgh. For sure most of these songs were part of Kenia childhood in Brasil. And you can hear an almost nostalgic feeling on Kenia voice singing about Copacabana.

All the songs arrangements have a jazzy touch, without losing the samba feeling. Kenia voice is powerful and with the flavor required for the more upbeat sambas like Eu nao tenho onde morar, Samba da minha terra and Vatapa. Subtle and sweet in the slow ballads like Nunca mais and Marina, recorded with just voice and piano. Playful on O dengo que a nega tem, Acontece que sou Baiano and Requebre que eu dou um doce, the last one with nice scats harmonies by Kenia and Jay Ashby trombone.

The rhythm section of Fernando Merlino on piano, Leo Traversa on bass, and Jay Ashby, Lucas Ashby and Ian Ashby on percussion is superb. But there is another surprise on this album, the great Airto Moreira also plays percussion in most of the tracks.

This album is definitely a must have for fans of brazilian music. Like Kenia says on her CD notes, Dorival repertoire is so vast that it might warrant a second album. I will be waiting for that sequel.

Tracks: Eu nao tenho onde morar, Roda Piao, And roses and roses, Samba da minha terra, Vatapa, Requebre que eu dou um doce, Voce ja foi a Bahia, Sabado em Copacabana, O dengo que nega tem, Acontece que eu sou baiano, Nunca mais, Doralice, Eu vou pra Maracangalha, A vizinha do lado, Marina

Record Label Website: http://www.officialkenia.com

Artist's Website: http://www.officialkenia.com

Reviewed by: Wilbert Sostre

CD Review: Jackson Garrett - Speechless

CD Review: Jackson Garrett - Speechless

Featured Artist: Jackson Garrett

CD Title: Speechless

Year: 2010

Record Label: Independent

Style: Various Jazz Styles

Musicians: Steve Madaio (trumpet), Kenny Meier (trombone), Pat Rizzo (sax), Steve Neilen (drums), John Pagels (guitar), Marty Steele (piano), Jeff Stover (bass)

Review: Jackson Garrett Speechless is a unique album in the sense that the artist featured in the title is not the one playing the music. Jackson Garrett wrote all twelve compositions on Speechless but the music is performed by a group of talented musicians. Steve Madaio (trumpet), Kenny Meier (trombone), Pat Rizzo (sax), Steve Neilen (drums), John Pagels (guitar), Marty Steele (piano), Jeff Stover (bass).

The music on this album is diverse. There is the contemporary feel of Just one more time, with horn harmonies reminiscent of the rock group Chicago and nice piano runs by Marty Steele. You may also find the latin feel of the tracks Around and around or Slowdown with rhythms that invites you to dance.

Tracks like Cool and easy has a more classic jazz feel to it, and even the melody reminds me of standards like Round Midnight. We gotta go also feels like classic jazz, this time the arrangements are reminiscent of the Big Band sound era.

The bass and piano intro lead us to the bossa feel of Kisses all around and Downtown with you sounds like vintage blues with Steve Madaio superb bluesy feeling on trumpet. Speechless is a collection of enjoyable, well written compositions in a diversity of styles.

Tracks: Just one more time, Slow down boy, Back in time, Cool and easy, Kisses all around, Downtown with you, Give a little bit to me, Champagne tower, Big baby, I don’t wanna see you, Around and around, We gotta go

Reviewed by: Wilbert Sostre

CD Review: Michael C. Lewis - Reflection

CD Review: Michael C. Lewis - Reflection

Featured Artist: Michael C. Lewis

CD Title: Reflection

Year: 2010

Style: Smooth Jazz

Musicians: Michael C. Lewis (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals), William Heagy (keyboards), Alva Nelson (piano), William Patterson (guitar), Jeanne Ricks (guitar), Rakiem Walker (tenor sax), Wendell Brooks (programming), Gerald Trottman (programming)

Review: I am not usually a big fan of rhythm programming in music but a good musician with a handful of nice compositions could make overlook it. That is the case with Michael C. Lewis new CD Reflection.

Almost all tracks on this album are originals, in a smooth jazz style, where Michael shows his sensitivity, great tone and technique. The album starts with Reflection (Sunrise), a ballad that perfectly reflects the tranquility of the morning hours. But you will also find upbeat, funky music like In the night time and Gulf Breeze with Wendell Brooks providing some interesting rhythms patterns for Michael melodies and the R&B style of I dedicate my heart. Miles to go, a funk track mixed with a little bit of hip hop.

Michael shows his romantic side on the ballad I need your love and the sensuality of the night on Night Fall. Reflection (Sunset) ends up the album in a relaxing mood, with ideal melodies to listen to after a long stressful day.

Tracks: Reflection (Sunrise), Gulf Breeze, I need your love, I dedicate my heart, Cloud Parade, In the night time, Night fall, Miles to go, We’ve only just begun, Kid time, Reflection (Sunset)

Reviewed by: Wilbert Sostre

CD Review: Henry Darragh - Tell her for me

CD Review: Henry Darragh - Tell her for me

Featured Artist: Henry Darragh

CD Title: Tell her for me

Year: 2010

Record Label: Independent

Style: Jazz Vocals

Musicians: Henry Darragh (vocals, piano, trombone), Seth Paynter (sax), Carol Morgan (trumpet), Erin Wright (guitar, bass), Glen Ackerman (bass), Chuck Payne (drums)

Review: There are some great male singers in the history of jazz like Louis Armsrong Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and more recently Harry Connick Jr. but male jazz singers have always been a minority. Well there’s a new name to add to the list, talented singer, composer, piano and trombone player Henry Darragh.

Usually jazz singers prefer to record recognized jazz standards instead of original compositions. Henry Darragh chose the hard way, recording mostly originals on his album Tell her for me.

Tell her for me have a perfect balance between swinging tunes like Tell her for me and Hey there and slower, romantic tunes like Dream boxes, Missing you and Everything happens to me.

Henry strength as a composer is his ability to write about situations everyone can identify with. For example Regret is a song about the regrets of being afraid to talk to a woman you like, just to ask yourself later, what if?

Once in a while lyrics are another good example, this time the question “is that special person thinking about even if it is just once in a while?” Master trumpet player Carol Morgan plays a great solo on this one.

As a singer, Darragh voice is similar in tone and phrasing to Harry Connick Jr. The album also includes the instrumental piece Early, where everyone has a chance to show their improvisation skills, including Henry Darragh on trombone.

Tell her for me is an excellent debut album for this multitalented singer/musician/composer.

Tracks: Hey there, Regret, Everything happens to me, Once in a while, Early, Dream boxes, Missing you, Tell her for me, Wrong ending, Look for the silver lining, The Harvard dictionary of music song

Artist's Website: http://www.henrydarragh.com

Reviewed by: Wilbert Sostre

CD Review: Matt Garrison - Familiar Places

CD Review: Matt Garrison - Familiar Places

Featured Artist: Matt Garrison

CD Title: Familiar Places

Year: 2010

Record Label: DClef

Style: Various Jazz Styles

Musicians: Mat Garrison (sax), Bruce Harris (trumpet), Claudio Roditi (trumpet, flugelhorn), Thomas Barber (flugelhorn), Michael Dease (trombone), Sharel Cassity (flute), Don Braden (alto flute), Mark Whitfield (guitar), Zaccai Curtis (piano, fender rhodes), Luques Curtis (bass), Rodney Green (drums)

Review: The music on Matt Garrison new album Familiar Places is as impressive as the group of musicians playing in it. Besides Garrison, this album features Claudio Roditi on trumpet and Mark Whitfield on guitar among other amazing musicians.

The opening track Try another day starts with amazing harmonies by Matt Garrison on sax and Bruce Harris on trumpet. Garrison, Harris and Zaccai Curtis take turns with good improvisations before getting back to the starting harmonies.

A thoughtful attempt has a bossa feel with melodies reminiscent of the classic Speak Low. In contrast, Convergence has a modern feel to it with interesting time signatures and rhythms. The notes cascades out of the piano in Curtis flawless solo on this one.

Michael Dease composition, You know I love you includes the cool sounds of the fender rhodes and Garrison original You’ll know when you see her is a Bebop track with sax and trumpet harmonies that reminds me of Bird and Dizzy duets.

Familiar Places is another track with nice harmonies and a groove that makes you feel good. Kind of sounds like Vice Guaraldi compositions for Peanuts.

Matt warm tone works perfect on the track Left Behind, his improvisations flow easily out of his horn and yet his ideas sound well organized. In Without you, dedicated to Dizzy Gillespie, the band effortless changes between Cuban/latin and swingin rhythms. The album closes with the funky groove of A Clear Path.

Tracks: Try another day, A thoughtful attempt, Convergence, You know I love you, You’ll know when you see her, Familiar Places, Left behind, Without you no me (To Dizzy), A clear path

Artist's Website: http://mattgarrisonmusic.com/

Reviewed by: Wilbert Sostre

CD Review: Kristine Mills

CD Review: Kristine Mills

Featured Artist: Kristine Mills

CD Title: Bossanovafied

Year: 2010

Record Label: Independent

Style: Jazz Vocals

Musicians: Kristine Mills (vocals), Paulo Midosi (piano), Haroldo Cazes (bass, guitar), Rubinho Moreira (drums, percussion), Jose Carlos Bigorna (sax, flute)

Review: Besides having a beautiful, sexy voice, and a nice phrasing influenced by jazz, pop and Bossa Nova, Kristine Mills is a wonderful composer. Her new album Bossanovafied is wonderful collection of original, romantic songs, heavily influenced by brazilian music. She even recorded most of the CD in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil with a group of talented musicians.

The brazilian feel may be heard all over the album, like the Bossa harmonies on I Wish or the flute intro on That was yesterday. Jose Carlos Bigorna on sax and Paulo Midosi on piano have most of the melodic responsabilities while Rubinho on drums and Haroldo on bass provide the bossa and samba contagious rhythms, especially on tracks like Sasha’s Lullaby and Burden of Choice.

Paulo and Haroldo cleverly quote some of the brazilian classics on their improvisations. Like the first part of Paulo solo on Fallin in Love, harmonically reminiscent of Jobim Garota de Ipanema. And Haroldo quoting of Menescal O Barquinho with his guitar solo on the track You are.

Tracks: I wish, That was yesterday, Sweet sorrow, Sasha’s Lullaby, Burden of Choice, Fallin in Love, You are, Inspiracao

Artist's Website: http://www.kristinemillsmusic.com/

Reviewed by: Wilbert Sostre

CD Review: Sylvia Bennett - Smile

CD Review: Sylvia Bennett - Smile

Featured Artist: Sylvia Bennett

CD Title: Smile

Year: 2010

Record Label: Independent

Style: Jazz Vocals

Musicians: Sylvia Bennett (vocals), Mike Levine (piano), Chuck Bergeron (bass), Richard Bravo (drums, percussions), Sammy Figueroa (shaker), Hal S. Batt (guitar), Mike Lewis (vienna strings), Geremy Miller (violin overdubs)

Review: Elegance is the first word that comes to mind when listening to Sylvia Bennett. Her beautiful voice can be romantic and sexy but always classy and elegant.

Sylvia CD Smile is a delightful collection of jazz standards masterfully interpreted by Sylvia Bennett and a group of great musicians.

Smile starts with Bacharach Look of love, with Mike Levine piano intro, Hal S. Batt fills on guitar and the beautiful strings arrangements providing the perfect backup to Sylvia vocals.

The positive message of Chaplin Smile shines on Sylvia voice with a bossa arrangement version. There is also a touch of bossa nova on The shadow of your smile.

The very thought of you has a vintage jazz feeling even in Sylvia phrasing that at times reminds me of the legendary Billie Holiday.

The CD also includes danceable arrangements of tracks like Witchcraft, Make someone happy, Where or when and What a difference a day makes. Or romantic tracks like I’ll be seeing you, Gerswin Love is here to stay and two classics most people remember in the voice of Frank Sinatra, Fly me to the moon and Porter Night and day.

Tracks: Look of love, Smile, Witchcraft, Shadow of your smile, The very thought of you, Make someone happy, I’ll be seeing you, When or when, Love is here to stay, Night and day, Fly me to the moon, What a difference a day makes, Sonrie, Look of love (pop version)

Artist's Website: http://www.sylviabennett.com

Reviewed by: Wilbert Sostre

CD Review: Robin Aleman - In your eyes

CD Review: Robin Aleman - In your eyes
Featured Artist: Robin Aleman

CD Title: In your eyes

Year: 2010

Record Label: Independent

Style: Jazz Vocals

Musicians: Robin Aleman (vocals), David Epstein (piano), Bob Sabin (bass), Brian Adler (drums), Nathan Childers (sax)

Review: Robin Aleman new album In your eyes starts with a bang with the cool version of Irving Berlin Steppin out with my baby. Most of the song is just drums and Robin voice with impressive piano and drums solos by David Epstein and Brian Adler.

In almost all the tracks Robin is accompanied by a trio of just piano, bass and drums. This format allows the listener to appreciate Robin beautiful tone and unique phrasing. Listen to the wonderful version of All or nothing at all or the bass and voice arrangement of the The way you look tonight.

Robin voice and feeling truly shines in the slow ballads like Something in your smile, When I look in your eyes and Some other time. But she is a versatile singer, showing her latin heritage in the salsa rhythms of I have eyes with a nice montuno on piano, singing perfectly in Portuguese in the Blue bossa/ Triste medley, or the kind of Irish phrasing on It never was you and Corea Crystal Silence.

Robin cleverly does a medley of two songs, I fall in love too easily and The next time it happens with similar lyrics about being careful when falling in love. In your eyes also includes the waltz like rhythms of Lover and a funk version of Ellington Do nothing till you hear from me.

Tracks: Steppin out with my baby, Something in your smile, The way you look tonight, I fall in love too easily/The next time it happens, All or nothing at all, I have eyes, Lover, Crystal Silence, It never was you, Come on strong, Blue bossa/Triste, When I look in your eyes, Do nothing till you hear from me, Some other time

Artist's Website: http://www.robinaleman.com

Reviewed by: Wilbert Sostre

CD Review: Annie Kozuch - Here with you

Here With You
Annie KozuchFeatured Artist: Annie Kozuch

CD Title: Here with you

Year: 2010

Record Label: Independent

Style: Jazz Vocals

Musicians: Frank Ponzio (piano), Saadi Zain (bass), Vito Lesczak (drums), Samuel Torres (percussion), Richard Padron (guitar), Cecilia Tenconi (flute, sax), Jose Gallegos (electric piano)

Review:
Annie Kozuch surrounded herself with a group of great musicians for this album, but there is no doubt who is the star here. Annie is not just another beautiful voice, she is a versatile singer capable of singing in different styles and languages.

Annie sings Jobim Chega de saudade and Corcovado in perfect portuguese, and with the perfect feel for Bossa Nova.

In I love being here with you Annie vocals are powerful and playful with the addition of some exquisite scats. In I'm through with love, You've changed and Irving Berlin How deep is the ocean, the music slow down so we can appreciate Annie feeling and different voice textures.

Annie is a singer full of surprises, not only she sings in portuguese and english. She also sings perfectly in spanish, there is an explanation for that, Annie grew up in Mexico. So she must be familar with boleros like Nosotros and Armando Manzanero Somos novios. Being from Puerto Rico I also grew up listening to this kind of music. And Annie versions are as good as any other I've heard.

Here with you also includes the enjoyable jazzy arrangement of Carinhoso, one of my favorites songs from brazilian composer Pixinguinha.

Tracks: Chage de saudade, I love being here with you, How deep is the ocean, Corcovado/Quiet Nights, You've changed, I'm through with love, Nosotros, Carinhoso, You're gettin to be a habit with me, Who can I turn to, Somos novios

Artist's Website: http://www.anniekozuch.com

Reviewed by: Wilbert Sostre

CD Review: Alex Levin Trio - New York Portraits

Featured Artist: Alex Levin Trio

CD Title: New York Portraits

Year: 2010

Record Label: Alex Levin Jazz

Style: Straight-Ahead / Classic

Musicians: Alex Levin (piano), Michael Bates (bass), Brian Floody (drums)

Review:
The music of this trio sounds so full and powerful. Since the first notes of the first track, My heart stood still, everyone shine without getting in each others way, just like a group shuld be.

Some of the music is relaxing but intense at the same time like the music of the second track, Who can I turn to. Michael Bates shows his great technique on the bass intro of Last train to Brooklyn, giving way to the wonderful piano melodies on this Alex Levin original piece.

Is the first time I listen to these great musicians, but from now on I sure will keep an eye on them. Their playing is instictive and flawless. These guys just don't know how not to swing. They are in full swing in the classics Cheek to cheek and I remember you, the Alex original Blues for Charley and even the slow swing of Like someone in love.

Alex melodic and harmonic choices are always interesting. One can fully appreciate this on the piano solo interpretation of Gershwin I loves you Porgy and and the not so recognizable Gershwin piece, Isn't it a pity this time accompany by Michael on bass and Brian on drums.

All the music on this album definetly gives you that New York vibe, including the wonderful version of Body and Soul.



Tracks: My heart stood still, Who can I turn to, Last train to Brooklyn, Cheek to cheek, I remember you, I loves you Prgy, Isn't it a pity, Like somone in love, Blues for Charley, Body and Soul

Artist's Website: http://www.alexlevinjazz.com

Reviewed by: Wilbert Sostre

CD Review: Martin Loyato - Syncretism

Featured Artist: Martin Loyato

CD Title: Syncretism

Year: 2010

Record Label: Syncretism Records

Style: World Music

Musicians: Martin Loyato (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals, huaca), Jim Mansfield (percussion), Michael Zadok (vocals), Keven Brennan (clarinet, vocals, sax), Gary Fukushima (piano), Joel Peloquin (guitars), Nat McIntosh (tuba, trombone), Damion Corideo (congas, shekere), Tomas Mohr (drums), Nicholas Chase (turntables), Mark Menzies (violin), Justin DeHart (tablas), Severin Behnen (accordion), Howie Shear (trumpet), Andrew Carrig (sax), Petros Sakelliou (piano), Jonah Rosenberg (synthesizer), Tonatiuh Avila (drums, congas), Diego Ripoll (vocals), Davey Chegwidden (congas), Dennis Sullivan (percussion), Katelyn Kenney (vocals) Isaac Lausell (guitar)

Review:
In the world of Jazz some artists dedicate their careers to keep the tradition recording new versions of jazz classics. Others, like Martin Loyato keep pushing the genre forward creating new sounds and style fusions.

The title of Martin new album is Syncretism. Syncretism is the union or fusion of different systems of thought or belief. Martin does just that with music on this album.The first track, To free minds starts with arabian melodies and rhythms mixed interesting compuer effects. A cool combination of old and futuristic sounds.

Song for Bunny is more in the tradition of latin jazz, fused with the rock sounds of the electric guitar and the flamenco flavor with the claps sounds.

Martin Loyato is from Argentina so of course the tango is present on this album. Following in the tradition of the great Astor Piazzolla, Mi Tango de hoy is an innovative tango with the addition of turntables and Indian tables on percussion. And Martin trumpet providing the jazz sound.

Demons and Seraphs is fascinating, kind of a cinematic piece with uncommon melodies, harmonies and musical instruments from Bali, Central Java and Sunda.

La ciudad de los angeles is a dance tune that at times sounds like a big band but with a modern feel and latin rhythms. Syncretism has a latin influence also, this time fused with electronic effects and Matin Loyato doing the vocals. In his trumpet solos sounds like Martin is quoting the melodies of Bobby Capo El Negrito Bembon, a song famous in the voice of puertorrican salsa singer Ismael Rivera.

A little stone in the way is a musicalized poem where Martin plays the huaca, a multi-chambered flute. Algo para dar is the more traditional piece on the album. No sound effects here, just Martin horns, the beautiful voice of Katelyn Kenney and the great acoustic sound of of puertorrican guitarrist Isaac Lausell in a track with influences of Bossa Nova.



Tracks: To free minds, Song for Bunny, Mi tango de hoy, Demons and Seraphs, La ciudad de los angeles, Syncretism, A little stone in the way, Algo para dar, For free minds

Artist's Website: http://www.martinloyato.com

Reviewed by: Wilbert Sostre

CD Review: Alva Nelson - Soul Eyes

Featured Artist: Alva Nelson

CD Title: Soul Eyes

Year: 2010

Record Label: Independent

Style: Straight-Ahead / Classic

Musicians: Alva Nelson (piano), Harry Anderson, Chris White (bass), Cecil Brooks III (drums), Larry Washington (percussion)

Review: Alva Nelson new album, Soul Eyes is a combination of mostly original compositions with some jazz classics. Nelson is a pianist with great technique equally good playing the fast tunes like Synonymous Dichotomy or the slow ballads like Soul Eyes, Some other time and Song for Keisha.

Gemini Baby has sort of a slow samba feeling, a track with rhythms that invites you to dance. In contrast, Sanctified blues like the title suggest is a classic blues. Both are great compositions, proving Alva ability to write music in a diversity of styles.

Alva piano style with his fast melody runs, reminds me at times of the great Art Tatum. But in A la Jarrett, like the title suggest, Alva piano playing is similar in style to Keith Jarrett music, with that classical music feel.

The album also includes masterful versions of the jazz classics, Body and Soul and Monk Round Midnight.



Tracks: Synonymous Dichotomy, Soul eyes, Gemini baby, Sanctified blues, Body and soul, Sweetcake, Some other time, A la Jarrett, Song for Keisha, Buster’s Bounce, Round Midnight

Reviewed by: Wilbert Sostre