Herbie Hancock — The Imagine Project

July 22, 2010

Imagine. Imagine a production defying genres and pulling together some of the most impressive musical “dignitaries” from around the world to embark upon an adventure that results in a chapter in the book of music saluting not only such honorable themes as peace and global responsibility but also coinciding with the 70th birthday of one of the biggest influences in modern music, the iconic Herbie Hancock, the brilliant creator of this collage of beauty appropriately called The Imagine Project.  If you can imagine such a feat, you have conjured up the huge “smile” that was created in each collaborator’s home territory.  You can hardly expect less from one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in The World, and I seriously doubt that you’ll find less here.  Read full review

Ottmar Liebert — Petals On the Path

July 6, 2010

One of the true masters of flamenco guitar and culture, especially Nuevo Flamenco, renowned German-born Ottmar Liebert casts his seductive spell on fans once again with a truly sweet, embracing, and oh-so-melodic production, Petals On the Path.

Here with his usual accompaniment, Luna Negra (whose personnel has changed too many times to count but never ever seems to lose the flow), Liebert tries something a bit different and pares down to a trio (Ottmar on guitar, bassist Jon Gagan–the only original member of Luna Negra–on bass and keys, and Michael Chavez on drumkit) and provides a simple yet extraordinarily rich collection of ideas in the form of some of the most romantic and filling music you can imagine from one so versed in the art of caressing and feeling. As he states, “For this project, I was writing and playing without considering anything external. There isn’t even an occasional look to tradition here. It’s Post-Category music defined by the chemistry of the trio. There is great feeling of independence, of liberation.”  Read full review

Lisa Downing — A Delicate Balance

June 30, 2010

If a quieter, more serene moment alone or with the object of your affection is what you desire on any given day or evening, I believe solo pianist Lisa Downing has what you need here in her latest offering, A Delicate Balance, a truly mesmerizing collage of beauty and melody dancing together so exquisitely.

As the pianist says, “It’s a fragile existence that we lead. It is a challenge to balance your job with your personal life, your outer-persona with your inner feelings, working versus having fun, helping your children or doing too much for them, day-dreams versus accomplishments. The list is endless and it touches every aspect of our lives.” So, what does the accomplished artist do? She channels those feelings and observations about life and uses them for inspiration in writing tunes that especially reflect the years she personally spent as a single parent struggling to raise her son on her own. Such a personal connection to the music allows for such a magnificent flow and depth of understanding, and it is all so evident in this quality production.  Read full review

Francis Mbappe — Peace Is Freedom

June 18, 2010

Here is another refreshing turn on the road that takes us to the rich land of Africa and the alluring sounds of bassist/guitarist/vocalist/producer Francis Mbappe as he dances forward with his latest release, Peace Is Freedom, a truly alive piece of work.

The opening and title track easily captures the texture of Mbappe’s spirit as it boldly enters on a horn-laden rhythmic wave of joyous sound. “Freedom” is quite the representative title for the song. He follows that with a very melodic slow-to-mid-tempo track, “Wonderful Love,” that just cascades over one in warmth and flavor.  Read full review

Lisa McClowry — Time Signatures

June 13, 2010

Here’s a young lady with a pretty impressive array of credits in several genres, including country, pop, and rock. Here now with producer Jim Peterik (Oscar winner for “Eye of the Tiger” and writer of other notables), Lisa McClowry presents her feel for diversity in music—with a twist of pop, rock, country, and soul all gathered together in one cool place. The CD is entitled Time Signatures and is due out in stores on June 22.

At first listen, you certainly hear the call of her multiple-range sultry voice, and you can hear how easily that all would fit in a rock, country, or pop environment, but here it fits equally as well as a soulful hybrid of melody and charm. Not an exclusively smooth jazz undertaking, it nonetheless croons smooth, as well as being fiery in spots.  Read full review

Tyson Emanuel — December’s Sun

Apr. 18, 2010

In a guitarist’s world, esoteric nuances might not be lost on peers, but average listeners might not quite get some—or a lot—of it. This debut CD, December’s Sun, from world/flamenco guitarist Tyson Emanuel has moments like that, but the artist does a great job of eventually giving everyone a little something onto which to cling.

December’s Sun is a mix of gentle world influences and the richness and bravado of Latin music in the form of finely crafted flamenco guitar. After an “interesting” opening track, Emanuel settles down with track two’s sweet and very melodic hybrid of world and flamenco—a tune called “Desire.” It clearly displays Emanuel’s proficiency and dexterity on acoustic guitar.  Read full review

 Lawson Rollins — Espirito

Feb. 10, 2010

When I reviewed the debut release, Infinita, by world/jazz guitarist Lawson Rollins in 2008, I strongly suspected that we would hear more of the diverse cultural mix from the exotic melodies that he coaxed from the strings of his guitar. I’d like to take a moment here to gloat about my being quite correct. Here, with Espirito, the guitarist, along with some mighty help again from Shahin Shahida, the well-respected world/jazz guitarist and one-half of the world/jazz duo, Shahin & Sepehr, sets the World stage afire again with hot licks and sexy Latin/world melodies tailor-made for the romantic and the culturally curious, as well.

Many of the notable contributors here also offered their respective skills to Infinita, including renowned vocalist Flora Purim, who now offers her charm to “Moonlight Samba,” “Return to Rio,” and the title track (all three tracks favor the Brazilian/Latin influence, and it all fits and works so well here). There’s also keyboardist/pianist/producer Dominic Carmardella, who’s worked with the iconic guitarist Ottmar Liebert and the acid jazz group 3rd Force. These contributors and others make their presence very much felt throughout this fine production.  Read full review

Klay D-C — Ritmo

Jan. 28, 2010

Now, there is music for those who just want to feel the groove and react. Then, there is music that beckons you to listen with all you’ve got while you groove because there are things going on here. If it were a road sign, it might read: Creativity in the Making or Artist at Work. That would be the music you need to follow, and it’s music that won’t lead you astray, as proven here by the very talented pianist, Klay D-C, and his latest release, Ritmo (Spanish and Italian for ‘rhythm,” and you’ll soon find out why that title).

Fans of vibist Roy Ayers’ Ubiquity may remember Klay’s membership in that group from 1999 – 2004. Also, in 1998, his band, The Jazz Steppers, won the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Best Jazz Act award.  Read full review

Gary Carpenter — Tierra Madre

Jan. 4, 2010

It’s not always easy to find a really good balance between world music and the serious Latin charm of, say, rumba. Gary Carpenter indirectly boasts that he has struck that balance, and he certainly sounds here like he has a point. On Tierra Madre, his sophomore release, he and his band, Tribal Heat, draw on everything they have to present a complete package of cool and sexy blends of some interesting world music undertakings and the all-so-consuming drive of Latin rhythms and melodies.

I have to admit to a certain bias for Latin music. Oh, when it’s badly played, it forces me to turn a deaf ear to it, but when it’s on, I mean really “on,” I can lose myself in its mystique, its passion, its fire, and its sensuality with the first stroke of that romantic guitar. Only a really decent artist can summon that in me. Carpenter seems to fit the bill.  Read full review

Johannes Linstead — Mistico

Nov. 6, 2009

As if Johannes Linstead fans didn’t already know it would happen again, the Canadian guitarist is once more igniting passion, desire, and dreams through his exotic and fiery handling of the Spanish guitar. His latest release, Mistico, explores the many nuances of that fine, seductive instrument from the traditional to the contemporary, from the sultry to the furious – a culmination of all his years as a quality guitarist. Known equally for his beautiful melodies and for his lightning-fast guitar work, this multi-award winning composer joins with musicians from around the world, including Spain, Cuba, Greece, Iran, and Venezuela, to make this album a rare gem among the Latin guitar genre. Since its release in September, Mistico has already reached the #1 position on eMusic.com’s World Music and Jazz/Blues charts. Again, as if Lindstead fans could expect any less.  Read full review

Kyle Eastwood — Metropolitain

Nov. 5, 2009

Here’s a slice of hot and cool fusion jazz you’ve gotta thoroughly enjoy, even if you’re a dyed-in-the-wool smooth jazzer. Kyle Eastwood, actor Clint Eastwood’s bass-wielding son, should have you fully engaged and acknowledging the quality, poise, and eloquence of his compositions here on Metropolitain by record’s end. Maybe it was the melodies; maybe it was the sheer power. Whatever it was, this album caught and held me fast. Clearly an artist with magnificent and laudable skills on bass, complete with stylish chords and harmonics, Eastwood’s writing is as superb. Ordinarily, I focus my reviews on the world of smooth jazz, but this one drove me to such a state of sheer appreciation that I felt I would be totally remiss—not to mention grossly unfair– to ignore the tightness, the clarity, and the boldness of the splendid piece of fusion going on here.  Read full review

Jesse Cook — The Rumba Foundation

Sept. 25, 2009

Always intriguing, always with the exotic, tender stroke of the string, the music of World/Flamenco guitarist Jesse Cook is as intoxicating as the aromas and zest of the lands he presents in song. His ability to intertwine jazz and flamenco influences is as alluring as his imagination. So, it comes as no surprise that his latest effort, The Rumba Foundation, scheduled for release on Sept. 29, is an alluring, enticing project with nowhere to go but to your heartstrings.

For this latest recording, Cook wanted to trace rumba flamenco back to its roots in Cuba, but his instincts got the better of him, and he wound up spending time in Bogota, Colombia, where this whole album swirls and takes shape, as will probably be evident to all upon listening.  Read full review