15 Recommended CDs for 2013!

It's that time of year: Black Friday this, holiday-spend that, cyber-whatever. Holidays can be stressful, with endless pressure from media advertisers and corporations taking advantage of mankind's natural love for gift-giving.

We don't want to contribute to this pressure, but thought you might like to know our 15 recommended cds for the year 2013. Maybe one or two will fit your gift giving needs; or maybe you want to indulge in some jazz yourself, for those de-stress/unwind moments. Or maybe you just want to window shop! :)

The link below takes you to our streamlined page where you can see the albums and read a very brief review of each. The links are to CD Baby - who offers the artists the best % of sales of any online vendor. Most albums have cd or download options, and you can listen to song excerpts, as well!

Finally, all the artists are Floridian - so whenever you purchase one of their cds you support local art as well as local economy. And if you're all shopped out, the link will stay up for most of the coming year. Congrats to the artists, and thank you for stopping by! - PCJ*

Click Here to see Top 15 for 2013!

* please bear with us while we re-post this list a few times on Facebook. Facebook only shows page posts to about 20% of a page's followers, so we want to be sure more of our viewers know about the list.

Ed Calle's Top 10 Jazz Albums (+ 2)

Mind-blowing saxophonist Ed Calle lives in So. Florida. In the last 10 years alone, the Caracas-born musician has appeared on albums by artists like Santana, Placido Domingo, Pet Shop Boys, Michael Bolton, Arturo Sandoval, Wyclef Jean, Jose Feliciano, Jennifer Lopez, Al DiMeola, Gloria Estefan & Rihanna... just for starters. He's even on Grammy-winning albums by the Chairman of the Board himself. He's had 2 latin Grammy nominations for his own albums, and is a member of the Miami Saxophone Quartet. When he's not laying down unbelievable & memorable woodwind solos or writing horn arrangements for the artists above, he's busy as Associate Professor Senior of Music Business and Production at Miami-Dade College.

It was then thrilling, of course, to have Dr. Calle participate in our humble top-50 jazz albums poll. We celebrate our blog's one year anniversary with his top 12 jazz albums. Though his list favors saxophonists, the stylistic scope is vast, and his thoughts on the albums are both intimate and exuberant.

• 1. John Coltrane - "Coltrane's Sound" – My favorite Coltrane album and time period. The re-harmonization on Body and Soul is so beautiful.
• 2. John Coltrane - "Giant Steps" - Giant Steps, Countdown, Naima, and the rest. A definitive recording if there ever was one.  
• 3. Miles Davis - "Kind of Blue" - No comment is worthy.



• 4. Steps - "Smokin' In the Pit" – Michael Brecker, Mike Mainieri, Steve Gadd, Don Grolnick, Eddie Gomez, and Kazumi Watanabe. On fire.
• 5. Claus Ogerman and Michael Brecker - "Cityscape" – A masterpiece.
• 6. Elvin Jones - "Live at the Lighthouse" – Liebman and Grossman. Influences for a lifetime.
• 7. Dave Sanborn - "A Change of Heart" – Dave is too great. A giant among giants.

• 8. Tom Scott – "Desire" – Tom Scott is a master musician, composer, arranger, and leader. Like the rest of the artists mentioned, Tom established a unique sound that has inspired and enriched all of us. 
• 9. Grover Washington – "Winelight" – Beautiful.
• 10. Arturo Sandoval – "Flight to Freedom and Swingin'" – Making music with Sandoval, Corea, Weckl, Jackson, Brecker, Patitucci, Daniels, Calderazo, and the rest – Life is great.
• 11. Gato Barbieri – "Caliente" – I still love that record. Beautiful vibe, arrangements, and playing. I could care less what the jazz police thinks, Gato is a major musical figure and is particular special to me as someone who comes from South America.
• 12. Jaco Pastorious - "The Birthday Album" – I met Michael Brecker for the first time that day. That day and concert changed my life in a very positive way.
  
  "Truthfully, how can we even rank or comment on all of the beautiful music that has been shared by so many brilliant musicians of yesterday and today? I am thankful and indebted to all of them for the inspiration, information, and joy they share with us. God bless them one and all."

Thank you Ed for your personal list and for participating in our poll! You can visit Ed Calle at his website, where all his releases are also available. Below is a video of Ed playing "Rice and Beans". It's amateur video, but worth it. Hold on to your seat! - PCJ

CD Review ~ Out of this Town, Zach Bartholomew Trio

Something for Northern Florida to be proud of.

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"Fresh new spin on jazz" might be a phrase tossed around frequently, as might be "distinctive sound"; when the truth is, this guy is just revamping 70's soul-jazz nicely, that girl is riding the coattails of The Krall, and this quartet sounds like it wrote their new album in 1961, and so on.

I caught ZBT live a few months back, and knew immediately I was privy to something 'new'. I can't always put my finger on it - which, might be a good description for something new. Not to say you wont hear snatches of Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett or Brad Mehldau; but all three members of the group (particularly Bartholomew) have somehow allowed themselves to get right to themselves; and one knows at once upon listening that the experience is original and indeed, fresh.

The album starts strongly - "Stop and Go" efficiently introduces you to each member and is a fine listen - clever on many levels; with a head that will make other musicians go 'wow', a phrase or two reminding me of the great Herbie Nichols. Striking is a confidence in playing that endures for the entire album; an easy-going assurance that your ears are in capable and caring hands. The mid-song tempo change is bold and welcome. Also clever is putting such a track in the lead-off slot where many artists go with "this is what you want me to do"; ZBT instead choosing "This is what we can do, check it out."

"Out of This Town" is an uptempo jazz waltz sporting a certain pleasant liberation in rhythm thanks to drummer Miles Bozeman, Who also takes a dandy solo at the end. The sunny tune could easily be adapted to a throwback r&b hit. "Shades of Blue" relaxes and swings with enjoyable sprawling lines and lush solos; bassist Brandon Robertson hitting a number of nails on the head.

Zach at the recording sessions for "Out of This Town"

A full-bodied, romantic melody permeates the entire track of "Lovers Lament"; carrying it amply from rhapsodic, meterless strumming to mildly-angry driving rock and back again. The plaintiff melody is there even when it's not - making it comparable to the many fine, early RTF compositions.

One could go on. These boys play very well together, and that undefinable something really comes through in both "New Beginnings" and "Road Trip". The former is a jaunty & delightful romp in 5 with prime soloing by Bartholomew and all three enjoying the proceedings; while extended form, a smattering of Monk-like harmonies and modern funk feel make "Road Trip" a most enjoyable ride.

No filler, excellent compositions and even a smart rendering of Coltrane bolster the album. A small distraction is the slightly dull mastering job, hardly noticeable once you're tuned in to all that's going on: both the spirit and accuracy of the performance. Certainly, this is one of the best jazz 'things' to come out of Florida in some time. Don't let it escape you. In one word: "refreshing". - PCJ 

Get your copy of "Out of This Town" at:
Itunes, Amazon or CD Baby.

Lynne Arriale - Solo

Motéma Records ~ MTM-83

Lynne Arriale's adventurous "Solo" has the win/win quality of being both easy to listen to and musically fulfilling. You'll find yourself weaving in and out of relaxed enjoyment, getting kicks and rapt concentration. It's the perfect album for sittin' and ruminatin' in the lazyboy with a piping mug of whatever; or poolside: just you, a frosty glass and the puffy clouds.

The album is reminiscent of Thelonious Monk's finer solo releases (like "Alone in San Fransisco") not simply because Lynne covers two of his works aptly (and imaginatively), but because she's learned a thing or two from both his ability to stimulate the listener rhythmically and harmonically, and his knack for setting a stark emotion with the piano that draws one right in.

Arriale is a fine composer - the opener "La Noche" is a chromatic, brooding mood setter; while "The Dove" is all-out impressionism: here a shade Eastern, there a touch Debussy - just lovely and warranting repeat listens.

Her first Monk cover "Evidence" begins in an inquisitive,  searching manner, gradually building into some of the album's most swinging invention. She manages to bring forth all the tune's mystery, with none of the obligatory aping. 

"Wouldn’t It Be Loverly" floats directly from the "enormous chair": dreamy, romantic, wise and reflective; followed by the pianist's rhapsodic "Will O' The Wisp". Lynne states her independence from the rhythm section with "Yada Yada Yada", a jaunty, angular blues with verve and motion.

Romance skirts on the edge of New Age aesthetics with the lilting "Dance" – one of the real high points of the disc; unforgettable once heard. "Arise" has all the makings of a quality theme for a romance movie, gorgeous and touching if you stick with it.

The best display of Arriale's depth and capacity as a jazz pianist comes on an enigmatic spin of Cole Porter's "What is This Thing Called Love"; anything but an old warhorse here: full of surprises, harmonic inventiveness and delightful tension; all with fluidity and poise.

A minor original "Sea and Sand" is a fine addition to the long line and grand history of slow, haunting, danceable Latin piano ballads. "Bye Ya" begins as a playful exposition on both the composition and the more finer points of Monk's improvisation; but soon develops into a marvel of jazz architecture, revealing distillations from several jazz masters and coming out sounding very much Arriale.

"And So It Goes" is the closer as it is on Billy Joel’s "Storm Front" – a pretty investigation of the familiar melody.

All that and no filler make this a necessary addition to the library of jazz piano lovers, particularly those who might have feared the art of making a real good solo piano album was lost a few decades ago. - PCJ

Sample and pick up your copy of "Solo" at these locations:
Motéma Records Website,
Itunes
Lynne Arriale's Website
or wherever jazz music is sold!

CD Review - Jamie Ousley A Sea of Voices

Bassist Jamie Ousley has put out some very high quality material since 2008, but this is definitely his best: a kind of summation, gathering together and improving of all he had to say on his previous 2 excellent releases ("O Sorriso Dela" in 2008, "Back Home" in 2010). His already keen sense for appropriateness and when to do what seems to have reached a new pinnacle; his melodies are sturdier and gripping, and the new line-up seizes every opportunity for unity, flow and brilliant support. In particular, pianist Joe Davidian is perfect for Jamie's refined and sentimental brand of jazz. All three musicians bring just enough fire and virtuosity to give a sense of joy and contentment.

Joe Davidian

Jamie Ousley

Opening samba "Hymn of the Tides" (all songs have a water theme) is a perfect example of all these assets. Davidian states the promptly unforgettable melody, puts Jarrett amounts of thought into his own improv and then backs up Ousley's crystal solo with finesse; the always-present and flowing latin momentum provided by drummer Austin McMahon peaks at the end over a euphoric 2-chord vamp, while piano & bass exchange closing thoughts amid a wash of sizzling ride cymbal (mix & master job on the cd are both superb).

Davidian's intricate, straight-8 re-working of "How Deep is the Ocean" is welcome and refreshing, taking the standard to unforeseen modernity and emotion. The trio captivates and convinces while empathizing for the greater good; reminiscent (as is much of the album) of the Rubalcaba and Jarrett trio's at their most liberated and uplifting periods. A listener will have no trouble stopping everything to take it all in.

Austin McMahon

Along with Jamie's originals ("Steam" - a darkest-corner-of the-club swank-blues; "Loving Beauty" fittingly titled jazz waltz; "With You" - another Ousley samba-special complete with exciting piano crescendo & finish, and what can only be described as a remarkably great melody; "Holy Water" calm soul-gospel 6/8 featuring a brief and very well-recorded Ousley solo of note) are a Coldplay cover and a respectfully antiquated duo rendition of "Alfonsina y el Mar" with guest pianist Gabriel Saientz.

The icing on the cake are two back-to-back slices of eloquent Americana. A plaintive, soothing evocation of "Shenendoah" with vocalist Nanami Morikawa lending her beautiful mezzo-soprano to a verse each in English and Japanese (a proper dose of "World" sensibilities enfuse all of Ousley's releases). The ensuing bowed chorus also adds an Asian feel, and the harmonizing between the two performers is a high point of the disc. The syncopated latin 6 romp through "Rocky Top" will give you a new, happy outlook on life in our USA and you'll move somewhere in your body to the lilting percussion provided by Carlomagno Araya.

Finally, (as if you needed another reason to treat yourself to this marvelous disc); in an unselfish gesture, Jamie has allocated all proceeds of this successful cd (#8 on Jazzweek national radio chart) to Sunshine State Interfaith Power and Light, who are dedicated to mobilizing faith communities in Florida to care for creation. - PCJ

listen to & pick up your copy at:
CD Baby
Itunes