January & February New releases - what's 'Impressed' you?

[Bev Stapleton]

Three CDs have been constantly in rotation since buying:

1. 'Impressed' - a compilation of UK 60s jazz put together by DJ Gilles Peterson. It's been mentioned on the UK thread so I'll say no more.

2, Simone Guiducci Gramelot Ensemble - Chorale: One of the most joyful jazz records I've heard in a long time. Italian jazz with strong roots in local folk music. Guiducci is an acoustic guitarist with a flamenco-ish flavour. The ensemble are accordion, two clarinets, bass, drums. Guesting are musicians like Ralph Alessi (two superb tracks), Erik Friedlander (the tour de force on the lengthy 'La sigagna') Chris Speed (who contributes a marvellous Balkan-flavoured composition) and the marvellous Maria Pia de Vito (one of the underappreciated vocalists of the moment). Guaranteed to bring much joy.

3. John Taylor, Joey Baron, Marc Johnson- Rosslyn: a tremendous piano trio disc by one of the UKs best pianists with two perfectly matched partners (notice I don't say accompanists - this is a three way disc). Generally quiet, crystilline, thoughtful. It would appeal to anyone who enjoyed Bobo Stenson's 'Serenity' or Marilyn Crispell's Annette Peacock themed ECM or the Peter Erskine discs that Taylor also played on.

Any reactions to these?

What discs from the first 1/6th of 2003 have caught your attention?

(Apologies to ex-Blue Noters who've already had to hear me gushing about these during the 'Last Days')

[David H]

Bev,

I'd definately go along with the Gilles Peterson Impressed.

I have to admit I have not encountered the other two CDs you recommend, though I'll keep my eyes open for them now

I have been very impressed by the new Stefon Harris CD The Grand Unification Theory. For me it shows adventureousness and maturity in equal parts. I keep on mentioning Stefon in the same breath as Bobby Hutcherson. Comparions can be odious, Stefon is his own man. If he continues in th same manner he create a fine body of work.

I've been perservering with Christian McBride's Vertical Vision. It is good, I like it in parts. But at the moment (for me) it lacks the fun quotient that Family Affair had.

David

[tonym]

Rosslyn is perfect. I did see your post over there at BNBB but i just got this from York last week. The only copy i could find in any of it's record stores.
It is very much like Juni by Erskine.

Waiting for the new Martin Speake in April with Bobo Stenson and Paul Motian.

[alankin]

Originally posted by tonym
Waiting for the new Martin Speake in April with Bobo Stenson and Paul Motian.

Do you know what label that'll be on?

[Bev Stapleton]

ECM I believe.

[Brian P]

Here's what's been in my cd player as of late ...

1) THE BAD PLUS "These Are The Vistas"
2) DAVE DOUGLAS "Freak In"
3) STEFON HARRIS "The Gran Unification Theory"

I've been following the Bad Plus for a while now and it's nice to see them get some press for this record (their 3rd). It's also funny to watch the jazz community's backlash at this press.

[tonym]

yeah, reported in jazzwise that he had signed to ecm. the bassist will be mick hutton.

[jazzypaul]

Brian -- I've been a fan of the bad plus since I first heard them. Where are you finding backlashes at? I would truly love to hear what people might have to say negatively about that group...

[Noj]

The Message At The Depth

This Japanese DJ continues to innovate, and as usual there are some gems on his new disc--particularly a track with Sly & Robbie that I'm groovin' to as I type.

[Brian P]

jazzypaul ...

There was a good thread going at the BNBB where many folks didn't quite share our view .... ;)

It may still be there under the "New Release" heading though I'm not sure with the recent clensing and all ...

[BruceH]

Originally posted by Brian P
Here's what's been in my cd player as of late ...

1) THE BAD PLUS "These Are The Vistas"
2) DAVE DOUGLAS "Freak In"
3) STEFON HARRIS "The Gran Unification Theory"

I've been following the Bad Plus for a while now and it's nice to see them get some press for this record (their 3rd). It's also funny to watch the jazz community's backlash at this press.

Giddins sure liked'em. I just picked up a copy of These Are the Vistas and think I'm going to like it. (Only listened to it once so far.)

[Brian P]

Bruce,

Funny you mention Giddens ... within one week ... his piece ran in the Voice, Rolling Stone reviewed the record and Newsweek ran an article featuring the trio (and other pianists making an impact).

[jazzypaul]

THere were two things I saw in the BNBB that really stuck out as "things that jazz fans say that really bother me"...

1) The guy that said that he started listening to jazz so that he wouldn't have to hear pop tunes. Of course, he forgets that 100 years of jazz history have been based on pop musical trends of the times. The reason why jazz became museum music in the 80's is because people STOPPED doing that. Not to mention, for us younger cats, what can we possibly say on "There is no greater Love" that hasn't been said 100 times already? And on top of that, what is a song like that, in all of its sappiness, really going to say to a 28 year old? It hasn't said anything yet.

2) The people that said it wasn't jazz. Is there improvisation? Yes. A feeling of the blues? Yes. It's jazz. Shut up already.

To see how much I've really drooled all over this album, check out my aaj review of it...

[Brian P]

Originally posted by jazzypaul
To see how much I've really drooled all over this album, check out my aaj review of it... [/B]

Give us a link jazzypaul ... :)

[jazzypaul]

oops, sorry...


http://www.allaboutjazz.com/reviews/r0203_118.htm

[BruceH]

Originally posted by Brian P
Bruce,

Funny you mention Giddens ... within one week ... his piece ran in the Voice, Rolling Stone reviewed the record and Newsweek ran an article featuring the trio (and other pianists making an impact).

Could it be that The Bad Plus are poised for a breakthrough? Perhaps they are about to sell as many units as Norah Jones----but I'm not gonna hold my breath.
Seriously, perhaps "These Are the Vistas" is the critical album-of the-moment, like the Bill Charlap (Stardust?) was a few months ago. Can't hurt much, might help.

[Brian P]

Not to compare, but Columbia is marketing "Vistas" with a budget price tag ($11.99-12.99) ... remember when the Norah was $9.99?

[Alexander]

Hey Brian! Good to see you over here, man.

See you at work tomorrow!

:D