CD Review Andrea Brachfeld - If not now, when?

CD Review
Andrea Brachfeld - If not now, when?

To play alongside latin Masters, Dave Valentin, and Ray Barretto, a musician must be really good and have an extense knowledge of the latin music language. Flutist Andrea Brachfeld is one of those rare  jazz musicians who feels equally comfortable and is just as good playing either traditional jazz or latin jazz. 

If not now, when? the new Andrea Brachfeld album, a collection of mostly original jazz compositions, wonderfully played by Andrea an company; bassist Harvie S., pianist Bill O' Connell and drummer Jason Tiemann.

The album starts with the hard swinging piece The Listening Song. Harvie S. and Jason Tiemann provide the swing to the impressive trading solos by Bill O'Connell and the Andrea Brachfeld.

The quartet keeps on swinging on Steppin'. O'Connell play mostly chords on this one, leaving more space for Andrea and Harvie improvisations. Creating Space is precisely the tittle of the next piece, a slow, elegant composition where the quartet filled the spaces with pretty notes and melodies.

The piano and flute of Bill and Andrea shine once again with wonderful improvisations in the moderate tempo The Silence. 

In a recording full of musical gems, Anima Mea is one of the brightest. Anima Mea feels more personal and instrospective, and the beauty of Andrea's tone can be appreciated more on this piece.

Movers & Shakers finds the quartet in full swing once again. This one is a drummer Master Class by Tiemann, constantly changing rhythms and taking the piece to a whole new level.

Deeply I Live feels like two compositions in one, starting in a slower tempo part where the flute of Andrea shines with her endless flow of ideas. The second part is more uptempo, with pianist Bill O'Connell and bassist Harvie S. taking over before it gets back to the original theme.

The swing, changing tempos and optimistic feel of Moving Forward is the perfect contrast to the next piece, the beautiful ballad The Opening.

If not now, when? ends with Andrea flawless improvisations and powerful interpretation by the quartet in the a gorgeous rendition of the classic Amazing Grace.  

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CD Review: Ithamara Koorax - Got to be Real

CD Review: Ithamara Koorax - Got to be Real

The song selection and the effective use of the synthesizer on Ithamara Koorax new release Got to be real gives the album a vintage 70s feel. The first half of the album starting with the slow, sexy, smooth jazz arrangement of this Disco hit "Got to be real" has a that distinct fusion jazz sound.

Koorax displays her amazing range and sultry, sexy voice all throughout the album and even though all the musicians do a great job on Got to be real, Koorax and her voice are the stars here, especially on the bossa nova arrangements of "Up, up an away", and "Going out of my head".

On the second half of the album, Koorax goes into her brazilian roots in the samba "Toque de cuica", the sublime interpretation of Joao Gilberto "Ho ba la la", and the beautiful ballad "Negue". But two of the highlights of the album are Cole Porter "I get a kick out of you", where Koorax demonstrates she is a true jazz singer capable of swinging with the best, and on the ingenious samba arrangement of "My Favorite Things". On the eclectic blend of styles on Got to be real (bossa nova, samba, jazz, mpb, smooth and fusion jazz) Koorax shows once again why she is recognized as one of the best female jazz singers in recent years.

Tracks: Got to be real, Up up and away, Never can say goodbye, Goin’ out of my head, Can’t take my eyes off of you, Butterfly, I get a out of you, Toque de cuica, Negue, My Favorite Things, Ho ba la la, Pigmaliao 70, Vesti Azul

Musicians: Jose Roberto Bertrami – organs, Rhodes, synthesizer, Jorge Pescara – bass, Haroldo Jobim – drums, Arnaldo DeSouteiro – percussion, Sidinho Moreira – percussion, Paulo Fernando Marcondes Ferraz – percussion, Marcelo Martins – tenor sax, Jesse Sadoc – trumpet, Aldivas Ayres - trombone

CD Review: Denny Zeitlin - Labyrinth

CD Review: Denny Zeitlin - Labyrinth

With an intro that borders the avant-garde ala Cecil Taylor, Denny Zeitlin welcomes the listener to his innovative and gorgeous interpretation of the Wayne Shorter classic, “Footprints”, the first track of his live solo piano album Labyrinth. Zeitlin playing is emotionally and technically intense, even in his beautiful renditions of the lyrical Tom Harrell bossa nova, “Sail Away” and the Irvin Berlin standard “They say it’s wonderful”.

The intensity increase and Zeitlin demonstrates his impeccable technique with dazzling high speed runs in the fast tempo “Lazy Bird”, a composition by John Coltrane. The tempo slows down for the emotional and sublime sound of the ballad “As long as there’s music” and the outstanding Zeitlin original composition, “Labyrinth”, a track with unexpected melodic, rhythmic and harmonic twists and turns.

Zeitlin also embarks in harmonic and tempo explorations on his interpretation of the classic show tune from the Rodgers and Hammerstein 1943 musical Oklahoma and on Arthur Schwartz “Dancing in the Dark”. Zeitlin goes to Brasil on his samba influenced original composition “Brazilian Street Dance”, a piece with dense textures and rhythms. The album close with “Slipstream”, another Zeitlin intense original also reminiscent of Cecil Taylor free improvisations.

CD Review: Deborah De Blasi – Ben Et Nat

CD Review: Deborah De Blasi – Ben Et Nat

Playful with sense of humor, and a lot of sensuality, that is the music of Deborah De Blasi. De Blassi style borrows from lots of places, it has a distinct French feel but with a vintage sound. The rhythm and lead guitar on the songs “Cette Fille Est Un Canon”, “Chemise Swing” and “Vas-Y Swingle Gitani” echoes the sound of the great French jazz guitar player Django Reinhardt. De Blasi slows down on the exquisite Bossa Nova “Mes Petites Chaussures En Daim”.

De Blasi goes back to the French sound on the frantic pace of the album title “Ben Et Nat”, “Mirabelle Swing”, Week-end A Metz” and “Sur Les Routes De France”. De Blasi sensuality is more evident on songs like “Mon Ange” and “Mon Pays”, the lyrics sounds provocative even if one do not understand French. As good as De Blasi is as a singer, she is even better as a composer. These are not French classics, all songs on the release are De Blasi originals, including the two Spanish lyrics, “Que hare de mi” and “Para mis sobrinos”.

CD Review: Janysett Mc Pherson – Tres Almas

CD Review: Janysett Mc Pherson – Tres Almas

Sweet and melodious, Janysett McPherson is an outstanding chanteuse equally comfortable singing in French, “Belle Ile en Mer”, “Jamais Dormir”, “J’ai vu” or Spanish, “Busca tu fe”, Tres Almas”. McPherson voice captives the listener from the first song “Belle Ile in Mer”. Her soulful style shines especially on the pop ballad “Poque tu existes”, the jazz ballad “Alby”, the bolero “Calla” and the bossa “Jamais Dormir”.

Andy Narell brings some Caribbean flavor playing the steel drums on the album title track Tres Almas. One of the jazzier tracks on the album is the composition “La Stella”, where McPherson demonstrates she is just as good as a pianist, playing lyrical lines with brilliance and intensity. Besides Andy Narell, other special guests on Tres Almas are Didier Lockwood, Yannick Socca and Sylvian Gontard.

Tracks: Belle Ile en Mer, Porque tu existes, Busca tu fe, Alby, Tres Almas, Jamais Dormir, Calla, La Stella, Dices, J’ai vu

Cd Review: Alex Diaz – Beyond 145th Street

Cd Review: Alex Diaz – Beyond 145th Street

Dominican Republic is not the first country that comes to mind when thinking about Jazz, even though one of the best jazz pianist in the last couple of decades is from this country, of course I am talking about Michel Camilo. And Jazz, a music style born out of fusion and already fused with almost any other Latin American music style, never has tried to fuse with Dominican folk music. With his album Beyond 145th Street Alex Diaz & his Merengue Jazz is trying the first serious attempt to do just that.

At first I was skeptic about the results and thought this fusion could only works if the merengue rhythms were diluted enough for the jazz melodies and intricate harmonies to shine through. But that is not what these guys did. The merengue rhythmic foundation (merengue is one of various folk rhythms out of Dominican Republic) is pretty accentuated all throughout the album. And the results are quite good. People will be pleasantly surprised when listening to the interesting and danceable versions of Jerome Kern “Yesterdays”, Lawrence and Altman “All or nothing at all” and Sam Jones “Unit Seven”.

Part of the success of this fusion can be attributed to the amazing musicians on this album. Ray Diaz on tambora and guira, Ivan Renta on sax, Nelson Jaime on trumpet, Diego Lopez on drums, Ruben Rodriguez on bass and Pedro Bermudez on piano. Bermudez also contributed two compositions to the release, “El Tigerazo del Bebop” and the album title “Beyond 145th Street”.

Tracks: Yesterdays, Unit Seven, Santo Domingo, Catarey Meren Jam, All or nothing at all, El Tigerazo del Bebop, Ginza Samba, El Comandante, Beyond 145th Street

CD Review: Carlos Jimenez – Red Tailed Hawk

CD Review: Carlos Jimenez – Red Tailed Hawk

I have been following Carlos Jimenez career for couple years now, and wrote reviews for his two previous albums, El Flautista (The Flutist) and Thoughts. Both albums were totally different in style, a distinct latin flavor in El Flautista mellowed down with a smoother jazz sound for Thoughts. In either style Carlos always demonstrates his good sense of melody with lines that seamlessly flow in and out of the rhythms.

Carlos Jimenez latest release Red Tailed Hawk brings some surprises. For once, Jimenez decided to venture as a singer, and he is quite good. He sings in almost all the tracks on the release except on “Red Tailed Hawk”, “Tomando Café” and Rafael Hernandez “Cachita”. On these tracks Carlos concentrate on doing what he does best, playing the flute with emotion, amazing technique and limitless imagination.

Carlos Jimenez has always been an accomplished composer, especially when he goes back ti his latin roots. This album contains some outstanding original compositions, “Tanto Rogarte”, “Goza Nena”, “Tu Boquita Dulce y Maravillosa” and the title track of the album “Guaraguao” (Red Tailed Hawk), mostly influenced by Cuban rhythms like Mambo, Cha cha cha and Son. The album also includes excellent versions of latin classics like “Alma con Alma” and “Cachita”. Tracks: Tanto Rogarte, Goza Nena, Tu Boquita Dulce y Maravillosa, Alma con Alma, Red Tailed Hawk, My one and only Love, La Playa, Mambo Terrifico, Cachita, Tomando Café

CD Review: Conrado Paulino - Wrong Way

CD Review: Conrado Paulino - Wrong Way

Everytime I talk to my friend Conrado Paulino, I refer to him as a Master Musician. Because that's what he is, a truly Master musician and guitar player. There is no over playing or shortage of notes with him. When listening to Paulino's guitar you got the feeling the way he plays a song is the way it's supposed to be played. With Conrado Paulino every note counts, that is the sign of a true master.

And there is no need for other instruments, the clean and sublime sound of his guitar all throughot the album, from the first track "Isaura" is enough to keep your mind engaged and marveling at Paulino virtuosity and lyrical playing. Paulino follows in the tradition of great guitar players like Baden Powell.

Brazilian classics like Jobim "Olha para o ceu", "So danco samba" and "Dindi", Luiz Bonfa "Manha de Carnaval" and Noel Rosa "Feito de Oracao" sound even more poetic coming out of Conrado's guitar.

The album also includes wonderful versions of Buarque "Todo sentimiento", Caetano Veloso "Luz de sol", Hammerstein "All the things you are", plus two bonus tracks, "Vamos vamos" and Dorival Caymmi "Samba da minha terra".

Isaura, Olha para o ceu, Dindi, A saudade mata a gente, Feito de oracao, Manha de Carnaval, Todo sentimiento, So danco samba, Luz de Sol, Don't blame me, Ai ai ai ai ai, All the things you are, Samba de minha terra, Vamos vamos

Conrado Paulino - guitar, Alexandre Ribeiro - clarinet, Celso de Almeida - drums, percussion, Ari Colares, Beto Angerosa, Dinho Nascimento, João Marcondes - percussion.

CD Review: Huazzteco and Huazzteco - Xilitla

CD Review: Huazzteco and Huazzteco - Xilitla

The Huazzteco project is an unusual fusion of jazz with Mexican folk music. A wonderful idea by mexican pianist Samuel Martinez Herrera.

Graduated from the Music Conservatory of Puerto Rico, where he studied and played with some of the best jazz musicians from Puerto Rico, Martinez is a pianist with strong command of the jazz language. But as can be heard on Huazzteco, he is equally knowledgeable of the traditional music of his native country Mexico.

In both albums, the self titled Huazzteco and on Xilitla, Martinez brings the harmonic complexity and improvisations of jazz to Mexican music without losing it's essence and beauty.

Joel Monroig Martinez and Rodolfo Gonzalez adds the vocals to the more traditional sound of "El querreque", "La petenera" and "El llorar". Tania Arriaga sings in the album Xiltla. An album that includes latin american classics like "Currucucucu paloma" and "La bikina".

El querreque, Sesquialtera 1, La petenera, Orquesta de Quinceo, El llorar, Sesquialtera 2, El Zacamandu, Giant Steps, La pasión , La Bruja, Aquanieva y Zapateando

Joel Monroig Martinez - violin, vocals, Rodolfo Gonzalez Martinez - jarana, vocals, Jesus Castro Andriano - quinta, vocals, Ramón Sanchez Avina - flute, Savoir Faire - violin, Carlos Zambrano Morales - bass, baby bass, Guillermo Barrón Rios - cajón, Efren Capiz Castaneda - drums, Samuel Martinez Herrera - piano

La rosita arribena, Xilitla, El balaju, Pentup house, Currucucucu paloma, La Bikina, La borrachita, Sesquialtera 3

Samuel Martinez Herrera - piano, Guillermo Barrón Rios - cajón, percussion, Rodolfo Gonzalez Martinez - jarana, vocals, Emiliano Coronel Samayoa - bass, Vladimir Coronel Samayoa - drums, Tania Arriaga Zacarias - vocals

CD Review: The New World Jazz Composers Octet - Breaking News

CD Review: The New World Jazz Composers Octet - Breaking News

Breaking News is the third album of The New World Jazz Composers Octet. Founded in 2000 by saxophonist Daniel Ian Smith the octet was originally a vehicle for a concert series Smith was running entitled Jazz in the Sanctuary. The new release marks the third recording collaboration between Smith and composer Ted Pease, Professor of Jazz composition at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

The arrangements have the big sound and richness of a big band while maintaining the flexibility and looser feel of smaller ensembles. Everybody have a chance to shine on the album. Tim Ray add some tight and impeccable solos on piano in "Poco Picasso", and "Chidren Waltz" and Daniel Ian Smith gorgeous sound on the baritone sax, especially in the swinging title track "Breaking News" is one of the highlights of the album.

Ernesto Diaz on percussion adds the latin touch to the piece "Warp 7, now!", (someone in the band for sure is a Star Trek fan). The album ends up with the swinging Trilogy, "Thad's Pad", "Strays" and "Willis" and the excellent work by Catherine Hazel Smith on the spoken words of the serene piece "Song Sung Long".

Poco Picasso, Wishful Thinking, Breaking News, Children's Waltz, Warp 7 Now, Song Sung Long, Trilogy

Daniel Ian Smith - soprano, tenor, baritone saxophones, flute, Felipe Salles - tenor saxophones, flute, Ken Cervenka - trumpet, flugelhorn, Tim Ray - Piano, Keala Kaumeheiwa - bass, Mark Walker - drums, Ernesto Diaz - percussion, Catherine Hazel Smith - spoken word

CD Review: Hendrik Meurkens - Live at Bird's Eye

Recorded live at Bird's Eye Jazz Club in Basel, Switzerland, the new release by German vibraphone and harmonica player Hendrik Meurkens is without a doubt one of the best albums of 2011. Crisp music, full of intensity and emotions, Meurkens and his group, russian pianist Misha Tsiganov, bassist Gustavo Amarante and drummer Adriano Santos, takes on Joao Donato "Amazonas", "Minha Saudade", Jobim "Dindi" "Voce vai ver" and "Body and Soul" brings fresh angles and sounds to these Brazilian and Jazz classics.

Meurkens alternates throughout the album playing vibraphone on "Amazonas", "Noa Noa", "Body and Soul" and "Voce vai ver" and the harmonica on "Estate", "Dindi", and "Minha Saudade".

The albums also includes two outstanding compositions by Meurkens, the samba "Sambatropolis", and the choro "Lingua de Mosquito". On "Lingua de Mosquito" the band cleverly end quoting Jobim "Aguas de Marco".

Amazonas, Estate, Sambatropolis, Dindi, Lingua di mosquito, Noa Noa, Body and Soul, Minha Saudade, Voce Vai Ver

Hendrik Meurkens - harmonica, vibraphone, Misha Tsiganov - piano, Gustavo Amarante - bass, Adrano Santos - drums, pandeiro

CD Review: Brenda Hopkins Miranda - Simple

No se dejen confundir por el título del más reciente álbum de la pianista/educadora/compositora Brenda Hopkins Miranda, Simple. La música de Hopkins en realidad es rica y llena de detalles, aún en sus momentos más sublimes, delicados y aparentemente simples. Y eso después de todo es la marca de un gran artista como Brenda Hopkins, hacer que aún lo más complejo parezca simple.

Según Brenda, el título es también un reconocimiento y descubrimiento personal de que los momentos más importantes y significativos en la vida son precisamente esos momentos aparentemente simples. Cada uno de los temas en Simple es un retrato de la vida de Brenda Hopkins; cada tema explora con la sensibilidad que le caracteriza, esos momentos de descubrimiento, de recuerdos, y de momentos compartidos con seres queridos. Hopkins inclusive le dedica tres hermosas composiciones a sus sobrinos, "Sahira", "Ivannah" y "Harito". Cada composición seguramente refleja a la perfección la personalidad de cada uno.

Hopkins es una de esos casos excepcionales de artistas con la capacidad de capturar la atención del oyente y expresar una infinidad de emociones con tan solo una nota musical. Se tiene la sensación al escucharla que no falta ni sobra nada, que cada sonido nos llega en el momento preciso. Esto se puede apreciar desde el primer tema de Simple, "Balcón de Arena", una composición de tono reflexivo que según nos explica Brenda es un recuerdo de su niñez, cuando se sentaba en la arena de la playa a contemplar el mar. Ese tono reflexivo se mantiene durante todo el álbum.

Al igual que su proyecto anterior, Recuerdos de Granada, todas las excelentes composiciones en Simple son originales de Brenda Hopkins. Sin embargo el sonido en este proyecto se proyecta más íntimo y personal, cada nota, cada melodía, cada acorde es una invitación para adentrarnos en su mundo y en sus emociones. El hecho que algunos de los temas, "Cuando llega la oscuridad", "El Camino" son interpretados sólo en piano añade a ese sentido de intimidad. Solamente "Calle Molinos" mantiene ecos del sonido flamenco de Recuerdos de Granada, proyecto que Hopkins grabó a su regreso de su estadía en Granada, España.

En su música Brenda Hopkins va contándonos su vida con honestidad e intensidad técnica y emocional. Un perfecto ejemplo son las piezas "El Camino", "La Ruta Interior" y "Hablando con la lluvia". La realidad es que a través de todos los temas, Hopkins mantiene un perfecto balance entre fuerza expresiva y sensibilidad, entre sofisticación y accesibilidad.

La música de Brenda es difícil de clasificar, pues es un reflejo de todo lo vivido y aprendido a través de su vida, tanto personal como musicalmente. Sus estudios en música clásica le permite la interpretación clara y precisa de una concertista y su contacto con la música popular y el jazz la añade creatividad. Sus composiciones cruzan con facilidad desde la música clásica, "Esperando", "Promesa Rota" al Jazz, "Harito", "Jameando por la Calle Molinos", pasando por muchas otras influencias.<{> Sus improvisaciones, por momentos inesperadas en su contenido, son la perfecta unión de intelecto y emoción. Y nos pueden llevar por caminos llenos de sorpresas sin perder la coherencia y la fluidez. En la majestuosa composición "El Espejo en tu Mar" y en "Harito" Hopkins nos muestra claramente esa capacidad de sorprendernos y además su maestría en el uso de las disonancias.

Acompañan magistralmente a Brenda Hopkins, el bajista Samuel Morales, y los egresados del Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, el baterista Vladimir Coronel, el percusionista Enrique "El Peru" Chavez y Kutasha Silva en el cello. La calidad de sonido y el arte de Simple son elementos que también merecen destacarse en este álbum. Simple fue producido por Brenda Hopkins y grabado en Playbach Studios, San Juan, Puerto Rico. La mezcla e ingeniería estuvieron a cargo de Ramón Martínez y Carlos Velázquez. Fotografía de Lorna Yanés Semidei.

Temas: Balcón de Arena, El Camino, Hablando con la lluvia, Cuando llega la oscuridad, Esperando, Calle Molinos, El espejo en tu mar, La Ruta Interior, Promesa Rota, Sahira, Ivannah, Harito, Jameando por la Calle Molinos

Músicos: Brenda Hopkins - piano, Samuel Morales - bajo, Vladimir Coronel - batería, Enrique "El Peru" Chávez – percusión, Kutasha Silva - cello

The benefits of listening to quality music

In music like in any other art form, there are quality differences that are easily identifiable to those with the proper knowledge. Science recently has begun to discover what musicians has known all along. Listening to quality music has a diversity of benefits for people.

It is precisely the word “listening”, the one that defines what quality music is. The rhythmic, melodic and harmonic complexity of quality music requires active listening in order to be appreciated. Learning how to really listen, so important in human relations, is just one of the many benefits derived from developing a good musical taste.

“Even though we often talk about a good ear for music, we must really talk about a good mind for music, a mind that can listen simultaneously to melodies, rhythms and harmonies. A mind with a poor musical training listen only to the most simplest relations in music.” Robert Jourdain, Music, the brain and ecstasy

Most popular music, due to its simplicity in all the musical elements, does not requires active listening. People acquire the taste for this kind of music for different reasons. Early exposition to certain kinds of music creates affinities to the characteristics of that musical form. “Erin Hannon and Sandra Trehub has found that six months infants can detect all kind of rhythmic variations but at twelve months, that capacity narrows. From that moment on they detect more easily those rhythms they has been exposed to." Musicophilia, Oliver Sacks “Due to lack of exposure to quality music, most people are unaware of the limitations of the music they listen to. Their ears find so little sense in more complex music, they only can conclude their music is superior.” Robert Jourdain, Music, the brain and ecstasy

To analize the benefits of quality music it is necessary to discuss about its basic elements (rhythm, melody, harmony, tone) and how these elements are processed by the brain. Each element has specific effects and benefits. The quality of the music depends on the effective use of these elements. Of all musical elements, rhythm is probably the most basic and the first one people develop. Rhythm is usually associated with dance, an important activity in socialization and with additional physical benefits. However this does not means all danceable music has the same quality and benefits. Dance music like salsa, Cuban rhythms, samba, contains a rhythm complexity (polyrhythms) that requires more attention from the mind.

Other kinds of dance music, especially those created by computers (techno, reggaeton, rap, and some r&amp;b) does not contain the rhythmic complexity to keep the brain’s attention. When listening to this kind of music, something called habituation occurs in the brain. When the neurons received a repetitive stimulus with no variations, the mind simply disconnect, the neurons stop responding to the stimulus. People keep receiving the sounds but are no longer listening actively. This kind of music provokes anxiety in people accostumed to more rhythmic variations.

A similar habituation occurs when listening to melody. Simple and repetitive melodies, like those in most popular music, are easily processed and have the same disconnection effect in the brain. More complex and interesting melodies provides the brain more substance to process. The vast melodic variety of musical forms like jazz and classical music does not allow the neurons to habituate, the attention to appreciate this kind of music must be constant. People accostumed to listening to simple melodies can not find sense in this kind of music. Is like asking a person who can not perceive colors to appreciate a Monet painting.

Thematic development can only be comprehend by those possessed of a good ear for harmony, and a musical memory strong enough to hang on to fragments over many bars until they meet all related elements. Without these skills, the brain fails to perceive extended melodic relations. And so we often hear the complaint that classical music (or jazz) has no melody" Music, The Brain and Ecstasy, Robert Jourdain Melody is an element developed early in life. And most of the neuron involve in the process of language are used to process melodies. An interesting fact is that some people tends to develop taste for more complex music and melodies as they educate themselves and matured. Cases of acquisition of taste for simple melodies as education increase are hard to be found.

The complexity of melodies can be analyzed in terms of information content. “Studies has been done to quantify the information content for different musical forms. The melodies in most popular music registered low scores.” Robert Jourdain

Harmony is created when two or more notes are played at the same time. Harmony is a more complex element and is developed later in life. "Harmonically simple music that revolves around a few chords all in the same key sounds flat to those accustomed to journeying deep into tonal hierarchies" Music, The Brain and Ecstasy, Robert Jourdain "Harmony is inherently complex, inherently intellectual, inherently difficult. It is the last aspect of musicality to mature in the young, and tests show that many people never achieve harmonic sophistication. Not surprisingly, harmonic depth is rare in popular music." Music, The Brain and Ecstasy, Robert Jourdain

The benefits of listening to complex harmonies seem to concentrate in the math development. Recent studies establish a relation between music and intellect, especially with rational and math intelligence. “We know that parts of the brain are capable of identify music notes like Do and Mi, but still we do not know how the brain perceived that interval as a Mayor Third. These relations must be calculated by computing processes in the brain that w estil do not comprehend. Neuroimage studies by Robert Zatorre seems to suggest that the brain calculate melodic and rhythmic intervals.” Daniel J. Levitin, This is your Brain on Music

Tone is the sound quality of the different instruments used in music. Each musical instrument has a distinctive sound. When an instrument generates a sound, it really produce multiples and simultaneous vibrations. There is evidence that the brain respond to each of these vibration simultaneously.

One of the benefits of listening to quality music is that this music is created with real instruments instead of drum machines, computers, sampling or pre recorded instruments. These methods does not provide the same tonal richness as a real instrument.

Music elements like tone, melody and harmony are processed by the right side of the brain, but as the mind is educated musically, more complex patterns are developed. Such complexity requires an increase of the use of the left side of the brain (the logic side). Complex musical compositions required of the sequential talents of the left side.

"The frontal portion of the corpus callosum (the part that connects the brain hemispheres) is significantly larger in musicians, especially those who started their musical training early in life. Musicians also show more growth of the cerebellum and gray matter, the part responsible of processing information." Daniel J. Levitin, This is your Brain on Music

Listening to quality music is at the same time an emotional and intellectual activity. Quality music can develop the sensibility and intellect, the effective communication and reasoning. All of these are important elements in a society that seems to worship superficiality and mediocrity.

Wilbert Sostre.

A Year in Review: The Best of 2011

Despite being completely different singers, there's a lot to connect Gretchen Parlato with the legendary Billie Holiday. Holiday was a singer with a phrasing deeply rooted in the blues, while Parlato is a jazz singer with the modern influences of R&B and pop music, but what draws them together is the uniqueness of their respective styles. Neither has the greatest vocal range, but the originality and pure feeling of their voices is what has set them apart from any other jazz singer. 75 years ago, nobody sang like Billie Holiday; today, nobody sings like Gretchen Parlato.

The Lost And Found is Parlato's third release, and possesses a more personal feel, with Parlato revealing herself as an accomplished composer. She also contributes lyrics to "Without A Sound," "The Lost And Found," "Henya," the folksy "Still" and Wayne Shorter's "Juju." Parlato also composed the music and wrote the lyrics for the bossa-influenced "Winter Wind," "Circling," "Better Than" and the funky "How We Love."

The Lost And Found also includes a remix of the title track to Parlato's In a Dream (ObliqSound, 2009), and pianist Bill Evans' "Blue In Green," one of the jazzier songs on the album, with lyrics by Meredith D'Ambrosio.

Parlato does wonderful versions of Mary J. Blige's "All That I Can Say" and Simply Red's "Holding Back The Years," two odd selections for a jazz album that reveal her modern and diverse musical influences.

Like any good jazz vocalist, Parlato is more than a singer, she is a musician. Rhythm and melody are just as important as lyrics in Parlato's interpretations. Her distinct, creative and sharp phrasing sounds, at times, like a saxophonist like on "Juju," or in the ostinato lines on "Winter Wind." On a mesmerizing version of Paulinho Da Viola "Alo Alo," Parlato turns into a percussionist—contributing all percussion and vocals on this song and, once again, showing her love for Brazilian music.

With The Lost And Found, Parlato continues to establish herself as one of the premier jazz singers of the 21th century.

Track Listing: Holdin Back The Years; Winter Wind; How We Love; Juju; Still; Better Than; Alo Alo; Circling; Henya; In A Dream Remix; All That I Can Say; Me And You; Blue In Green; The Lost And Found; Without A Sound.

Personnel: Gretchen Parlato: vocals; Taylor Eigsti: piano; Derrick Hodge: bass; Kendrick Scott: drums; Dayna Stephens: saxophone; Alan Hampton: bass.

Record Label: ObliqSound | Style: Vocal



Alone at The Vanguard is pianist Fred Hersch's first solo performance at New York's Village Vanguard, after his serious illness and coma in 2008. The release was recorded during the final set on the last night of his six-day run in 2010, and the solo recital format gives the disc an intimate, almost classical music feel, engendering a full appreciation of Hersch's emotional and technical intensity.


A three-time Grammy nominee, two as a pianist and one as a composer, Hersch possesses a remarkable ability to cross from classical to jazz with ease. His classical style and lyricism are present on "In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning," "Echoes" and "Pastorale," dedicated to composer Robert Schumann.


His superb interpretation of two originals, "Down Home," dedicated to Bill Frisell and "Lee's Dream," dedicated to Lee Konitz, as well as Thelonious Monk's "Work"—rhythmically reminiscent of ragtime—show Hersch's deep roots in the jazz tradition.


The performance also included the elegant samba, "Doce de Coco," the beautiful ballad "Memories of You" and, for an encore, a masterful version of Sonny Rollins' "Doxy."


Alone at The Vanguard is a clear statement that Hersch is back in top form, and that is surely good news for jazz.

Track Listing: In the wee small hours; Down Home; Echoes; Lee's Dream; Pastorale; Doce de Coco; Memories Of You; Work; Doxy.

Personnel: Fred Hersch: piano.

Record Label: Palmetto Records | Style: Modern Jazz



Wayne Wallace continues to explore the infectious Afro-Cuban rhythms on To Here From There, the follow-up to his 2010 Grammy-nominated album, Bien Bien!< (Patois Record, 2009).


Wallace is a trombonist with vast experience that includes collaborations with artists such as Count Basie, Joe Henderson, Lionel Hampton, Sonny Rollins and Tito Puente. Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet plays like they were born in Cuba.


The danceable "La Escuela" with its piano montuno and the distinctive clave of the Cuban son is dedicated to La Escuela Nacional de las Artes en Cuba, where Wallace studied in the 1990s.


Wallace shares the spotlight with Jeff and Natalie Cressman, and Dave Martell, in a battle of master trombonists on the guaguancó "Serafina del Caribe." On "Ogguere," Wallace masterfully improvise over a 6/8 groove, a rhythm common in Afro-Caribbean music and similar to the fusion of jazz and Puerto Rican bomba done by trombonist William Cepeda.


Pianist Murray Low shines on "Descarga en Blue" and "Bebo ya llego," a composition honoring Cuban legend Bebo Valdes. Wallace displays a bright, striking sense of melody on his improvisations, especially in the cha-cha-chá "Los Gatos," and in Tito Puente's "Philadelphia Mambo."


To Hear From There also includes a dazzling rendition of Juan Tizol's "Perdido," sung by Kenny Washington, and the wonderful soneos and beautiful voice of singer Bobi Cėspedes on the Cuban classic, "The Peanut Vendor."

Track Listing: La Escuela; Serafina del Caribe; Perdido; Los Gatos; Descarga en Blue; Ogguere (Soul of the Earth); Lament; The Peanut Vendor (El Manicero); Yemaya (The Seven Seas); Bebo ya llego!; Philadelphia Mambo.

Personnel: Wayne Wallace: trombone, tuba, vocals; Murray Low: piano, vocals; David Belove: bass, vocals; Paul van Wageningen: trap drums, vocals; Michael Spiro: percussion, vocals; Kenny Washington: vocals (3); Bobi Cespedes: vocals (8); Jeff Cressman: trombone (2); Natalie Cressman: trombone (2); Dave Martell: trombone (2).

Record Label: Patois Records | Style: Latin/World



There is not a dull or cliché moment on Jane Ira Bloom's fourteenth album, Wingwalker. Her sound has been described as futuristic, and there is certainly some of that on tracks like "Frontiers in Science" and "Live Sports." But, most of all, Bloom is a master composer and musician with a truly unique sound. All compositions on the release are by Bloom, except for the standard, "I Could Have Danced All Night."


Even though there are brilliant moments of improvisation all over the album, the emphasis is on the beauty of Bloom's compositions. Each composition has plenty of harmonic surprises, syncopations, tempo changes and richly, inventive solos by Bloom and pianist Dawn Clement. Bassist Mark Helias and drummer Bobby Previte provide an excellent rhythm background to Bloom's melodies, both of them swinging hard on "Airspace," "Life on Cloud 8" and "Rookie."


Bloom always plays with the conviction and energy of a seasoned musician, but her tone can also be warm and welcoming, on the almost lullaby, "Her Exacting Light"; the ballads "Adjusting to Midnight" and "Wingwalker"; and the a capella "I Could Have Danced All Night." There is an effective use of dissonance and space, with Clement's improvisations and chords on "Freud's Convertible," "Frontiers in Science" and "Rookie" echoing the sound of the great Thelonious Monk.


Wingwalker proves, once again, why Jane Ira Bloom is one of the most original and creative saxophonists in jazz today.

Track Listing: Her Exacting Light; Life on Cloud 8; Ending Red Songs; Freud's Convertible; Airspace; Frontiers in Science; Rooftops Speak Dreams; Rookie; Adjusting to Midnight; Live Sports; Wingwalker; I Could Have Danced All Night.

Personnel: Jane Ira Bloom: soprano saxophone, live electronics. Dawn Clement: piano, Fender Rhodes. Mark Helias: bass. Bobby Previte: drums.

Record Label: Outline | Style: Modern Jazz



I discovered Carol Morgan when I reviewed her album Opening and I've been a fan ever since. Carol Morgan is one of those unique musicians with the ability to express diverse emotions in a single note. The intro of "I Love You" is a perfect example of her emotional and technical intensity. Listen also to her brilliant playing "Where are you?" where Morgan shows she is also a richly inventive improviser with a good sense of melody and swing.

After the intro on "I Love You" Morgan and her Quartet go into a swinging groove that take us back to the beginnings of jazz in New Orleans, changing into straight ahead and then some cool jazz, all in the same track.

Morgan interpretation of the classic "April in Paris" has the reserved intensity of a Miles Davis. Joel Frahm, with his warm and welcoming tone adds some thoughtful solos on this one.

The Quartet goes into more experimental territory, exploring aspects of free jazz, in the haunting music of Ornette Coleman "Lonely Woman".

The gorgeous sax and trumpet harmonies on "Booker's Waltz" serves as an introduction to some of the most brilliant and intense improvisations by Carol Morgan, Joel Frahm and drummer Matt Wilson.

"Glyph" is an original composition by saxophonist Joel Frahm and one of the most interesting on the realease. Constant rhythm changes that are both surprising and exciting.

The album close with another original "Last Waltz", this time by bassist Martin Wind. A sublime, slower tempo composition that allows Morgan to displays her sophisticated and ellegant phrasing in a more relaxed context.

Without a doubt, of of the best albums of 2011.

Musicians: Carol Morgan - trumpet, Joel Frahm - tenor saxophone, Martin Wind - bass, Matt Wilson - drums and percussion

Tracks: I Love You, April in Paris, Lonely Woman, Booker's Waltz, Glyph, Where are you?, Last Waltz



Three young music virtuosos join forces in the Ninety Miles Project, one of the best albums of 2011. Grammy nominated vibraphonist Stefon Harris, New Orleans native, and also Grammy nominated trumpetist Christian Scott and Grammy winner saoxophone master David Sanchez.

Ninety Miles is the distance between the USA and Cuba, two countries with great political differences but with a greater love for good music.

Recorded in Cuba with cuban pianists Rember Duharte and Harold Lopez Nussa, Ninety Miles is also the result of the visit and exploration of Cuban music done by these three master musicians.

What came out of the fusion of these jazz masters is an explosive display of virtuosity and outstanding compositions with an eclectic blend of texture and sound. The contagious african and caribbean rhythms on "Nengueleru", "La Fiesta Va", "Brown Belle Blues", "Congo" y "E'cha", show us new looks and possibilities for the fusion of jazz and latin music.

Musicians: Stefon Harris - vibraphone, David Sanchez - saxophone, Christian Scott - trumpet



Yoko Miwa is a Kobe, Japan native, recently nominated for Best Jazz Act in the Boston Phoenix Best Music Poll 2011 who also studied at the Koyo Conservatory in Kobe and Berklee College of Music.

Live at Scullers Jazz Club is Miwa fifth release, recorded in October 2010. Accompanying Miwa, Greg Loughman on bass and Scott Goulding on drums.

For those unfamiliar with Yoko Miwa, like myself, this album is going to be a nice surprise. Even though she is a young pianist, Miwa plays with the confidence and fluidity of a seasoned jazz musician.

The trio swings hard on the Steve Allen composition, "This could be the start of something", closing with a energetic piano/drums call and response. The beautiful ballad "Wheel of Life" is one of Miwa two originals. The chord progression gives the listener a sense of circular motion. The other original, "Silent Promise" also a ballad, is one of the most intimate and sublime moments of the album and reminiscent of movie themes like Cinema Paradiso.

Miwa displays once again a good balance of harmonic lines and melodic runs on "Mr. B.G.", a tribute to pianist Benny Green. Miwa includes two odd selections, the ballads "Seasons of Wither" a song by Aereosmith Steven Tyler, discovered by Yoko Miwa on YouTube and "Who loves the sun" Lou Reed song from his days with Velvet Underground. The album speed up again with the swingin Art Farmer's blues "Mox Nix" and close with an excellent version of "A Festa", a Milton Nascimento composition recorded by Elis Regina's daughter Maria Rita.

Musicians: Yoko Miwa - piano, Greg Loughman - bass, Scott Goulding - drums

Tracks: This could be the start of something, Wheel of life, Mr. Big, Seasons of Wither, Who loves the sun, Silent Promise, Mox Nix, A Festa



In Samba pelo avesso, Carolina Ferrer brings a collection of wonderful original sambas in all it's variations, proving she is not only one of the best female singers out of Brasil but also an accomplished composer. Carolina interpretations of samba music is refreshing but deeply rooted in the brazilian music tradition. Songs like "Eu nao tenho nada", "Otilia", "Hoje sou sertao", "Nao vem" and "Facil de levar" are ideal for get up and dance or just sit down and enjoy Carolina beautiful voice and unique phrasing. Her tone is warm and welcoming and she has the ability to convey the emotions of every word.

Living in Paris, France, Carolina is the best kept secret in brazilian music, hopefully with Samba pelo avesso, Carolina Ferrer will receive the atention she rightfully deserve.

Tracks: Eu nao tenho nada, Otilia, Tira gosto, Hoje sou sertao, Samba pelo avesso, Tanta, E outra coisa, Nao vem, Mais um verao, Facil de levar, Refem



To be the best you have to play with the best. Any good musician knows that and like he did in his first album Finding my Path, bassistAldemar Valentin surrounded himself with some of the best jazz musicians from Puerto Rico. Instead of a quartet, this time the format is a quintet with Norberto Ortiz on saxophone, Julito Alvarado on trumpet, Raul Maldonado on drums, Raul Romero on guitar (Romero played on Valentin's first album) and of course Valentin on bass.

Valentin outstanding compositions and well developed themes, mostly in the jazz fusion tradition, at times echoing the music of such greats as Pat Metheny, have a perfect balance of complex, dense textures and rhythms and accesibility. And allows this group of outstanding musicians to shine with inventive, ellegant improvisations on the tracks "Ficciones", "Santurce Triste", and "Amistad". For "Cacique Rebelde", a piece with a distinct latin influence, Valentin invited two special guests, percussion extraordinaire Paoli Mejias and master saxophonist Miguel Zenon.

Tracks: Ficciones, Santurce Triste, Cacique Rebelde, Amistad, Saga

Musicians: Aldemar Valentin - bass, Raul Romero - guitar, Julito Alvarado - trumpet, Raul Maldonado - drums, Norberto Ortiz - saxophone, Paoli Mejias - percussion (3), Miguel Zenon (3)



Maritima is Aline de Lima third release, and the follow up to her wonderful album Acai. On Maritima, this Brasil native, decided to produce and write most of the songs. The album was recorded in Paris, Rio de Janeiro and Maranhao, The result is a collection of exquisite and beautiful compositions that reflects the sound and tradition of her city Sao Luis de Maranhao. But Aline has been living in France for several years now, so her music has a distinct French music influence. In “Cri de Coeur”, a song composed for Edith Piaf, Aline sings in French and also plays the guitar.

Besides her soothing, beautiful voice Aline de Lima is an outstanding songwriter, “Flor de Brasilia”, “Fina Flor”, and “Infinito Blue” are just a few examples of Aline amazing ability as a songwriter to surround us with the beauty of her lyrics. Aline also wrote “Velho Novo Mundo” a beautiful samba dedicated to Paris. There are other influences on Aline’s music, like the reggae rhythms of “Upaon Acu” and “Fina Flor”, the Caribbean sounds of the marimba on “Empty Paradise” and the African rhythms of Cabo Verde on “Um Mar de Mar”. “Lua de Janeiro” and the haunting title track “Maritima” are closer to the sound of Aline de Lima first two albums.

01. Maritima by Aline de Lima Musiciens: Ugo Castro Alves (guitar), Illya Amar (marimba), Luiz Claudio (percussions), Aline de Lima (vocals), Maëva Leberre (cello)
02. Upaon Açu by Aline de Lima Musiciens: Dada Viana (percussions), Rui Mario (keyboards), Aline de Lima (guitar and vocals)
03. Flor de Brasilia by Flavia Bittencourt (3) and lyrics by Aline de Lima (3) Musiciens: Ugo Castro Alves (10 strings guitar, acoustic guitar), Alvaro Lima (bass), Netinho Albuquerque (pandeiro, xequerê and reco-reco), Dada Viana (agogô, zabumba, shakers, berimbau), Flavia Bittencourt (guest singer), Aline de Lima (vocals)
04. Fina Flor by Aline de Lima Musiciens: Rui Mario (acordeon), Alvaro Lima (bass), Isabelle Pares (flute), Illya Amar (marimba), Dada Viana (percussions), Aline de Lima (acoustic guitar and vocals)
05. Empty Paradise by Aline de Lima Musiciens: Ugo Castro Alves (guitar), Dada Viana (percussions), Alvaro Lima (bass), Illya Amar (marimba), Maëva Leberre (cello), Aline de Lima (vocals)
06. Lua de Janeiro by Mario Lucio (1) and Aline de Lima (3) Musiciens: Isabelle Pares (flute), Ugo Castro Alves (guitar), Damilton Viana (percussion), Illya Amar (vibes), Aline de Lima (vocals)
07. Cri du Coeur by Henri Crolla and lyrics by Jacques Prévert (2) Musiciens: Isabelle Pares (flute), Aline de Lima (guitar and vocals), Alvaro Lima (bass), Rui Mario (acordeon), Illya Amar (vibes)
08. Infinito Blue by Aline de Lima Musiciens: Ugo Castro Alves (guitar), Alvaro Lima (bass), Rui Mario (accordion), Netinho Albuquerque (percussions), Dada Viana (percussions), Aline de Lima (vocals)
09. Madrugada by Marcio Faraco (3) and lyrics by Aline de Lima (3) and Marcio Faraco Musiciens: Robertinho Chinês (mandolin), Aline de Lima (acoustic guitar and vocals)
10. Velho Mundo Novo - Paris by Aline de Lima Musiciens: Netinho Albuquerque (samba percussions), Dada Viana (percussions), Ugo Castro Alves (guitar), Aline de Lima (vocals)
11. Um Mar de Mar by Mario Lucio, traduction in french by Africa Nostra Musiciens: Dada Viana (african percussions), Ugo Castro Alves (10 strings guitar and acoustic guitar), Illya Amar (marimba), Aline de Lima (vocals)



Tenor Saxophonist Ernie Krivda is one of the best kept secrets in Jazz. Not many people recognize his name because Krivda developed his career in Cleveland, instead of Chicago or New York, major cities often associated with jazz.

But once you hear his gorgeus tone, and astonishing fluidity of his improvisations you have to agree with Harvey Pekar when he said, "Krivda is one of the best tenor saxophonist in the world".
Krivda 2011 release, Blues for Pekar pays tribute precisely to jazz writer and critic Harvey Pekar.

A group of excellent musicians from Detroit accompanied Krivda on this venture. Pianist Claude Black, female bassist extraordinaire Marion Hayden and drummer Renell Gonsalves, son of tenorist Paul Gonsalves. Yes, the same Paul that revived Duke Ellington career in 1956 Newport Jazz Festival.

All of Krivda solos are deeply rooted in the blues and every track is a master class on how to improvise, starting with "The end of a love affair". Trumpeter Dominick Farinacci stands his ground on this one ending in a improvisation exchange with Krivda reminiscent of early New Orleans jazz.

On the jazz ballads "More than you know" and "Darn that Dream", Krivda demonstrates he is just as good as a balladeer. On these slow tempo pieces his phrasing evokes the sensibilities and sound of the first great tenorists Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins. As part of his improvisations on "More than you know" Krivda cleverly quotes lines of "Softly as in the Morning Sunrise".

Another special guest is trumpet player Sean Jones, who adds elegant solos on Sonny Rollins' "Valse Hot" and on Dxter Gordon "Fried Bananas". The album ends up with two Krivda originals, the swingin Monk like "One for Willie" dedicated to saxophonist/arranger Willie Smith and the cool title track "Blues for Pekar".



Saxophonist and flutist Jane Bunnett exploration of cuban music started back in the 1990's and she is a frequent visitor to Cuba. So Bunnett is not a newcomer to the world of latin music. In fact Bunnett received the 2002 Smithsonian Institute Award for her contributions and dedication to the development of latin jazz.

On her new release Cuban Rhapsody, Bunnett recorded with her long time musical friend pianist virtuoso Hilario Duran. Their music partnership goes back to 1990 when Bunnett went to Cuba to record her album Spirits of Havana. Bunnet and her husband Larry Cramer sponsored Hilario to move to Canada where he lives since 1998.

Cuban Rhapsody is a duo album, just piano and either flute or sax. In latin jazz music rhythm is essential, so here Hilario has the responsability of providing the rhythmic and harmonic support to Bunnett melodies and improvisations.

The music selection is superb, a collection of cuban classics beautifully played by these masters of improvisation. The duo format provide a lot of space for both Duran and Bunnett to display their improvisational talents.

Bunnett expressive tone on soprano sax shines on Miguel Matamoros "Lagrimas Negras", and on Ernesto Lecuona "Maria La O" and "Danza Lucumi". Bunnett brighter tone is equally gorgeous in the classics "Son de la loma", "Longina", "Almenra" and "Sherezada".

This music is the cuban equivalent to jazz. It also have african roots and is a perfect vehicle for improvisational ventures. But caribbean music has a classical element also. This classical influence is more evident in a musical form called Contradanzas. Danzas from Cuba and Puerto Rico fuses african music with the classical tradition from Europe, both essential parts of caribbean music. One of the highlights of the album is precisely a medley of five cuban contradanzas, where Bunnet and Duran exchange sublime improvisations.

Duran applies that same classical/caribbean fusion on his original composition "New Danzon". From start to finish, Cuban Rhapsody has a perfect balance of elegance and virtuosity.

Tracks: Lagrimas Negras, Son de la loma, Longina, Quirino con su tres, Contradanzas, Maria La o, Almendra, New Danzon, Sherezada, Danza Lucumi

Musicians: Jane Bunnett - flute, soprano sax, Hilario Duran - piano



Magos Herrera is the Cassandra Wilson of latin america. There are similarities in their warm, sultry tone, their bluesy feeling and strong command of the jazz language. What makes Magos Herrera different and certainly a unique voice in the jazz world today is her latin heritage that she proudly displays in all of her music.

The CD notes describes México Azul as a celebration of México's golden age of cinema and television. That was back in the 30's and 40's. A lot of good music came out of that era, and Magos did a good job in the song selection for this album.

México Azul starts with Herrera soulful interpretations of Alvaro Carrillo "Luz de Luna" and Agustin Lara "Noche Criolla". Both outstanding arrangements that fuse jazz with south american music.

The slow pace and almost Aria trumpet intro by Tim Hagans on Agustin Lara "Azul" gives a majestic feel to this romantic theme. Hagans also adds a superb trumpet solo to the jazz waltz arrangement and Herrera emotional intense interpretation of "Angelitos Negros".

Herrera profoundly resonant voice can be fully appreciated on Agustin Lara "Lamento Jarocho" an homage to the people of Veracruz, México. Magos Herrera phrases flow effortlessly on "Seguiré mi viaje", "Dos Gardenias" and in the beautiful bolero jazz "Que sea para mi".

The percussive voice intro on "Tres Palabras" is very similar to Gretchen Parlato style. The arrangement for this track is one of the jazzier of the release.

Even though Rafael Hernandez was not from México, he was Puertorrican, his compositions were among the best of that era. "Obsesión" is one of Hernandez classics that has been recorded all troughout latin america. The ballad arrangement on this one allows Magos Herrera to bring out the feeling of every word.

Herrera is without a doubt the best jazz singer out of Mexico, and with México Azul she is establishing herself among the best singers in jazz.



Flutist Kalani Trinidad is one of the brightest young stars in the Puerto Rico jazz scene today and the first Puerto Rican to win a Presidential Scholarship from Berklee School of Music in Boston. In his style Trinidad echoes the best of the great Puerto Rican flutist that came before him. One may hear on his music the finesse and sensitivity of a Nestor Torres and the inventiveness and intensity of a Dave Valentín.

The music on Trinidad debut album Crossing Bridges has elements of smooth jazz on compositions like "Ubiquitous Being", fusion jazz on "Noche en Madrid" and latin jazz on "Puertorro".

Trinidad improvises with spontaneity and ease on the almost lullaby tittle track "Crossing Bridges" and over the samba rhythms of "Momentum and "The Passage".

Kalani Trinidad expresiveness, intensity and limitless stack of phrases may be fully appreciated on "Puertorro", an outstanding composition that constantly changes between afro caribbean and south american rhythms. On this track, Kalani's father, Richard Trinidad plays the piano and Paoli Mejias plays the congas creating a rumba that is one of the highlights of this release.

Besides Richard and Paoli, Kalani recruited a group of extraordinaire musicians for his debut album that includes Alex Acuña on percussions, Alex Brown on piano, who also plays with Kalani in the group La Timbistica, John Benitez on bass and Henry Cole on drums. Marcos Lopez plays drums on "Momentum" and "Russo".

Tracks: Momentum, The Passage, Noche en Madrid, Crossing Bridges, Puertorro, Serenity, Russo, Ubiquitous Being

Musicians: Kalani Trinidad - flute, John Benitez - bass, Alex Brown - piano, Henry Cole - drums, Alex Acuña - percussion, Richard Trinidad - piano (5), Marcos J. Lopez - drums (1,7), timbales (5), Paoli Mejias - congas (1,5,7)



Gonzalo Rubalcaba is a well recognized and respected name in the jazz scene. His classically trained background, along with his knowledge of Jazz and the music of his native Cuba, make him an equally impressive musician either playing art or popular music.

Faith is the premiere release on his newly founded 5Passion (cincopasión or sincopation) label. This is a solo piano album, a setting similar to a classical piano recital. Just Rubalcaba and his piano, and of course there is no need for anything else.

Faith starts with "Derivado 1", a short piece with some dissonances that serves as an introduction to "Maferefun Lya Lodde Me", a praise in the lucumi language to the orisha Oshun (Lucumi is a Yoruba dialect spoken by practitioners of the Santería religion in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Dominican Republic).

All throughout, Rubalcaba demonstrates his clean and impeccable technique product of his classical piano studies in Cuba. On "Improvisation 1 and 2", based on the chord changes of John Coltrane's Giant Steps, Rubalcaba displays his virtuosity with fast piano runs and scalar improvisations reminiscent of Coltrane himself. The short phrases and use of dissonances also have some similarities to pianist Cecil Taylor.

"Derivado 2 and 3" are variations based on the second track "Maferefun Lya Lodde Me". The sophisticated dissonant chords and the effectve playing in the high notes of the piano evokes the sounds of another jazz master, pianist Thelonious Monk.

"Con Alma 1 and 3" are delicate and elegant interpretations of Dizzy Gillespie's composition, played with soul as the tittle suggest. Rubalcaba creates a perfect balance of emotion and virtuosity in the classically tinged piece "Preludio Corto # 2 (Tu Amor era Falso" and in the Miles Davis/Bill Evans classic "Blue in Green".

Rubalcaba attack is more aggresive and percussive in "Oro", an original composition that brings together classical and cuban music with touches of free jazz. Faith also includes three poetic and refined originals dedicated to Rubalcaba two daughters and son, "Joan", " Yolanda Anas" and "Joao". These compositions were recorded originally on his album Inner Voyage.

Tracks: Derivado 1, Maferefun Lya Lodde Me, Improvisation 2, Derivado 2, Con Alma 1, Preludio Corto #2, Blue in Green 1, Oro, Joan, Joao, Yolanda Anas, Blue in Green 2, Con Alma 3, Improvisation 1, Derivado 3

Musicians: Gonzalo Rubalcaba - piano



Peter Scharli's O Grande Amor is an unusual album. This is brazilian music played beautifully by a trio of swiss musicians. That fact alone is not so unusual, brazilian music is played by musicians all around the world.

The odd thing here is the format of this trio. Peter Scharli on trumpet, Thomas Durst on bass and Hans-Peter Pfammatter on piano. Something missing? Right, no drums and no percussions. Everybody knows the importance of the percussion on brazilian music. So it is a challenge for these master musicians, mostly for the pianist and bassist to keep the rhythm. And they did a wonderful job al throughout especially on the sambas "Sandalia dela", Baden Powell and Vinicius de Moraes' "Deixa" and "Zum Zum".

Peter Scharli gorgeous, rich sound and well constructed solos on trumpet is a perfect match with the trio secret weapon, Ithamara Koorax. Among all the great talented singers out of Brasil Koorax is without a doubt one of the best. Koorax is a singer equally comfortable singing traditional brazilian music or jazz.

Few singers conveys the emotion of Antonio Carlos Jobim lyrics like "Fotografia" and "O Grande Amor" or ballads like Ivan Lins "Setembro" with the tender feel and elegance of Ithamara Koorax. Koorax also brings the most out of each note on the slow arrangement of Ary Barroso "Pra Machucar Meu Coraçao".

One of the highligths of the album is Hans original "Wediletto", a composition that allows Koorax to show her amazing vocal range singing high notes in unison with Peter Scharli on trumpet.

Tracks: Fotografia, Sandalia Dela, Setembro, Wedileto, O Grande Amor, Deixa, Pra Machucar Meu Coraçao, Zum Zum

Musicians: Ithamara Koorax - vocals, Hans Peter Pfammatter - piano, Thomas Durst - bass, Peter Scharli - trumpet



Jazz is a music form based on improvisation, it is art created in the moment. So logically most of the best performings in jazz comes out in a live setting. When masters improvisers get together the result of that interaction is usually magical. That is the case with Walt Weiskpf Quartet release recorded live at Koger Hall, University of South Carolina in April 8, 2008.

This is a quartet of superb musicians at the top of their form. Walt Weiskopf is a tenor saxophonist with a sound that conveys the sound of all the sax legends. One may hear some Coltrane, Rollins, Adderley and Dexter Gordon all throughout especially in the first track "Man of Many Colors". On the second track, "Little Minor Love Song" his tone and phrasing is reminiscent of Benny Golson and on the ballad "Blame it on my youth" Weiskopf plays with the lyricism of a Lester Young. Weiskopf improvisations always has a perfect balance of surprise and coherence. Weiskopf experience includes playing with the great pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi.

Bassist Paul Gill, who also played with Akiyoshi, and dummer Tony Reedus brings the energy and swing in the rhythm section. The release is dedicated to Tony Reedus who died of a pulmonary embolism upon return from a tour of Italy a few months after this concert.

Completing the quartet is one of the best pianist in jazz today, Renne Rosnes. Impossible to choose among all the impressive improviations by Rosnes on this album, so I won't. I recommend to listen and enjoy them all. Her crisp melodic breaks, intensity, dazzling high speed runs, and limitless stack of phrases are always surprising and exciting. Rosnes improvisations are a marriage of intellect and emotion.

Most of the compositions on this album are Weiskopf originals except, "Blame it on my youth" and Cole Porter "Love for sale"

Tracks: Man of Many Colors, Little Minor Love Song, Dizzy Spells/Jay Walking, Blues in the Day, Scottish Folk Song, Blame it on my youth, Love for Sale, Breakdown

Musicians: Walt Weiskopf - tenor saxophone, Renee Rosnes - piano, Paul Gill - bass, Tony Reedus - drums





CD Review: Burgstaller Martignon 4

Burgstaller Martignon project Bach's Secret Files is based on the premise that jazz was the classical music of the twentieth century. Both music forms are based on theme and variation. Early in the history of jazz, classical composers (Ravel, Debussy, Rachmaninoff) showed interest in jazz music. And more recently jazz musicians like Wynton Marsalis recorded classical music. Contrary to classical music, jazz evolved into a freer, improvise music. But the concept of improvisation is not a jazz invention, classical composers like Bach, Bramhs, Mozart and Chopin were also accomplished improvisers.

"River of the Night" is a Burgstaller original melody played over Bach's Praeludium in C minor. The piece start with a classical feel reminiscent of Miles Davis interpretation of Concierto de Aranjuez that slowly changes into a latin groove. "A Start to Something" is an interpretation of Praeludium XI in F major. The feel here is that of jazz waltz similar to Brubeck's Time Out.
"Ebarme Dich Have Mercy) from Bach's St. Matthew's Passion includes the sublime voice of soprano Brenda Feliciano. The piece ends with a montuno-like piano.

The latin influence on these musicians as shown in "Variation No. 1", a short classical piece played over cuban son rhythms, and Debussy "Reverie", starting closer to the classical tradition before erupting into a piano montuno, is not really a surprise if one knows their history. Grammy nominee pianist Hector Martignon worked with latin legends Ray Barretto, Tito Puente and Paquito D'Rivera. Bassist Hans Glawischnig played with Chick Corea and Ray Barretto.

Burgstaller tone on trumpet is gorgeous and expressive especially on the almost lullaby "Gymnopedie No.1" and "Piece en Forme de Habanera". The virtuosity of these group of musicians allows them to played with comfort either jazz, latin jazz or classical.

Mendelssohn's "Lieder Ohne Worte Opus 19, No.1" and "Lieder Ohne Worte Opus 38 No. 2" and Puccini's "E Lucevan Le Stelle" from the Opera Tosca, demonstrates Burgstaller Martignon group mastery of the classical language. Bach's Secret Files is a superb marriage of jazz and classical music.

Tracks: The River of Night, Praeludium XI in F major, Ebarme Dich, Aria, Variation No. 1, Gymnopedie No.1, Piece en Forme de Habanera, Lieder Ohne Worte Opus 19 No.1, Lieder Ohne Worte Opus 38 No.2, E Lucevan Le Stelle, Reverie

Musicians: Joe Burgstaller - trumpet, flugelhorn, Hector Martignon - piano, Hans Glawischnig - bass, John Ferrari - drums, vibraphone, percussion, Brenda Feliciano - soprano voice, Samuel Torres - latin percussion, Micheal Kannen - cello

CD Review: Carolina Ferrer - Samba pelo avesso

CD Review: Carolina Ferrer - Samba pelo avesso

In Samba pelo avesso, Carolina Ferrer brings a collection of wonderful original sambas in all it's variations, proving she is not only one of the best female singers out of Brasil but also an accomplished composer. Carolina interpretations of samba music is refreshing but deeply rooted in the brazilian music tradition. Songs like "Eu nao tenho nada", "Otilia", "Hoje sou sertao", "Nao vem" and "Facil de levar" are ideal for get up and dance or just sit down and enjoy Carolina beautiful voice and unique phrasing. Her tone is warm and welcoming and she has the ability to convey the emotions of every word.

Living in Paris, France, Carolina is the best kept secret in brazilian music, hopefully with Samba pelo avesso, Carolina Ferrer will receive the atention she rightfully deserve.

Tracks: Eu nao tenho nada, Otilia, Tira gosto, Hoje sou sertao, Samba pelo avesso, Tanta, E outra coisa, Nao vem, Mais um verao, Facil de levar, Refem

CD Review: Aldemar Valentin - Ficciones

CD Review: Aldemar Valentin - Ficciones

To be the best you have to play with the best. Any good musician knows that and like he did in his first album Finding my Path, bassist Aldemar Valentin surrounded himself with some of the best jazz musicians from Puerto Rico. Instead of a quartet, this time the format is a quintet with Norberto Ortiz on saxophone, Julito Alvarado on trumpet, Raul Maldonado on drums, Raul Romero on guitar (Romero played on Valentin's first album) and of course Valentin on bass.

Valentin outstanding compositions and well developed themes, mostly in the jazz fusion tradition, at times echoing the music of such greats as Pat Metheny, have a perfect balance of complex, dense textures and rhythms and accesibility. And allows this group of outstanding musicians to shine with inventive, ellegant improvisations on the tracks "Ficciones", "Santurce Triste", and "Amistad". For "Cacique Rebelde", a piece with a distinct latin influence, Valentin invited two special guests, percussion extraordinaire Paoli Mejias and master saxophonist Miguel Zenon.

Tracks: Ficciones, Santurce Triste, Cacique Rebelde, Amistad, Saga

Musicians: Aldemar Valentin - bass, Raul Romero - guitar, Julito Alvarado - trumpet, Raul Maldonado - drums, Norberto Ortiz - saxophone, Paoli Mejias - percussion (3), Miguel Zenon (3)

CD Review: Aldemar Valentin - Finding my Path

CD Review: Aldemar Valentin - Finding my Path

Aldemar Valentin debut album recorded live in 2008 captures the energy of four of the best musicians in Puerto Rico, saxophonist and flutist Ricardo Pons, guitarist Raul Romero, drummer Efrain Martinez and bassist Aldemar Valentin. In all the eight original compositions by Aldemar Valentin, these musicians show their ability to speak to each other through intense lines and inventive improvisations played over the solid rhythm foundation provided by Efrain Martinez on drums.

Romero and Valentin display their flawless technical ability with well developed solos while Pons demonstrates his mastery of both the flute and saxophone. Ricardo Pons plays the flute on “Gente de Fuego”, “Don Pedro Rios”, “Azul Cielo” and the title track “Finding my Path” and add the majestic sound of the baritone saxophone on “Regalo”, “Cuna”, “La Vida en Colores” and “Fabula para el Verano”. On “Fabula para el Verano”, Pons cleverly seems to quote lines from two classics Caribbean songs, El Manicero and Lamento Borincano.

Finding My Path takes us through a journey of different levels of intensity with fusion jazz music that can be powerful or relaxing and sometimes both.

Personnel:
Aldemar Valentin - bass, Ricardo Pons - baritone sax, flute, Raul Romero - guitar, Efrain Martinez - drums

Tracks:
Gente de Fuego, Don Pedro Rios, Regalo, Cuna, La Vida en Colores, Finding My Path, Azul Cielo, Fabula para el verano

CD Review: Aline de Lima – Maritima

CD Review: Aline de Lima – Maritima

Maritima is Aline de Lima third release, and the follow up to her wonderful album Acai. On Maritima, this Brasil native, decided to produce and write most of the songs. The album was recorded in Paris, Rio de Janeiro and Maranhao, The result is a collection of exquisite and beautiful compositions that reflects the sound and tradition of her city Sao Luis de Maranhao. But Aline has been living in France for several years now, so her music has a distinct French music influence. In “Cri de Coeur”, a song composed for Edith Piaf, Aline sings in French and also plays the guitar.

Besides her soothing, beautiful voice Aline de Lima is an outstanding songwriter, “Flor de Brasilia”, “Fina Flor”, and “Infinito Blue” are just a few examples of Aline amazing ability as a songwriter to surround us with the beauty of her lyrics. Aline also wrote “Velho Novo Mundo” a beautiful samba dedicated to Paris. There are other influences on Aline’s music, like the reggae rhythms of “Upaon Acu” and “Fina Flor”, the Caribbean sounds of the marimba on “Empty Paradise” and the African rhythms of Cabo Verde on “Um Mar de Mar”. “Lua de Janeiro” and the haunting title track “Maritima” are closer to the sound of Aline de Lima first two albums.

01. Maritima by Aline de Lima Musiciens: Ugo Castro Alves (guitar), Illya Amar (marimba), Luiz Claudio (percussions), Aline de Lima (vocals), Maëva Leberre (cello)
02. Upaon Açu by Aline de Lima Musiciens: Dada Viana (percussions), Rui Mario (keyboards), Aline de Lima (guitar and vocals)
03. Flor de Brasilia by Flavia Bittencourt (3) and lyrics by Aline de Lima (3) Musiciens: Ugo Castro Alves (10 strings guitar, acoustic guitar), Alvaro Lima (bass), Netinho Albuquerque (pandeiro, xequerê and reco-reco), Dada Viana (agogô, zabumba, shakers, berimbau), Flavia Bittencourt (guest singer), Aline de Lima (vocals)
04. Fina Flor by Aline de Lima Musiciens: Rui Mario (acordeon), Alvaro Lima (bass), Isabelle Pares (flute), Illya Amar (marimba), Dada Viana (percussions), Aline de Lima (acoustic guitar and vocals)
05. Empty Paradise by Aline de Lima Musiciens: Ugo Castro Alves (guitar), Dada Viana (percussions), Alvaro Lima (bass), Illya Amar (marimba), Maëva Leberre (cello), Aline de Lima (vocals)
06. Lua de Janeiro by Mario Lucio (1) and Aline de Lima (3) Musiciens: Isabelle Pares (flute), Ugo Castro Alves (guitar), Damilton Viana (percussion), Illya Amar (vibes), Aline de Lima (vocals)
07. Cri du Coeur by Henri Crolla and lyrics by Jacques Prévert (2) Musiciens: Isabelle Pares (flute), Aline de Lima (guitar and vocals), Alvaro Lima (bass), Rui Mario (acordeon), Illya Amar (vibes)
08. Infinito Blue by Aline de Lima Musiciens: Ugo Castro Alves (guitar), Alvaro Lima (bass), Rui Mario (accordion), Netinho Albuquerque (percussions), Dada Viana (percussions), Aline de Lima (vocals)
09. Madrugada by Marcio Faraco (3) and lyrics by Aline de Lima (3) and Marcio Faraco Musiciens: Robertinho Chinês (mandolin), Aline de Lima (acoustic guitar and vocals)
10. Velho Mundo Novo - Paris by Aline de Lima Musiciens: Netinho Albuquerque (samba percussions), Dada Viana (percussions), Ugo Castro Alves (guitar), Aline de Lima (vocals)
11. Um Mar de Mar by Mario Lucio, traduction in french by Africa Nostra Musiciens: Dada Viana (african percussions), Ugo Castro Alves (10 strings guitar and acoustic guitar), Illya Amar (marimba), Aline de Lima (vocals)

CD Review: Mace Hibbard – Time Gone By

CD Review: Mace Hibbard – Time Gone By

Time Gone By, saxophonist Mace Hibbard second release is a collection of outstanding, fresh compositions accompanied by thoughtful solos throughout. And even though Hibbard is the leader of this quintet, Time Gone By is without a doubt a collective effort. And as is the case with lots of young musicians these days, Mace and his quintet dominates all languages of the jazz tradition. “For the memories we share” is clearly a smooth jazz ballad, and tracks like “Hallowed Ground”, “Always on my mind”, Remembrance of things past”, also have elements of smooth jazz.

However there are moments where the music on this album echoes that of Miles Davis first great quintet. Hibbard tone on “Indecision” has a Coltrane like quality and the track even sounds like a Miles Davis composition from those years. “Theme for Dos Lyn” also has elements of Miles quintet with Coltrane but the frantic pace, fast improvisations on sax and quick chord changes on “Slip and Slide” are reminiscent of Coltrane masterpiece Giant Steps.

The quintet cohesiveness and their creative and sharp solos over Hibbard outstanding compositions show a strong command of the jazz language by all the quintet.

Musicians: Mace Hibbard – saxophone, Melvin Jones – trumpet, Louis Heriveaux – piano, Marc Miller – bass, Justin Varnes – drums

Tracks: Rude on Purpose, December 18th, Indecision, Hallowed Ground, Always on my mind, Theme for Dos Lyn, Remembrance of things past, Slip and Slide, The Rain King, Time Gone By, La Danza Olvidada, For the memories we share