June 24th – Revive Da Live Big Band feat. Nicholas Payton SeXXXtet & Special Guest

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African American, Anat Cohen, Jazz, Mike Moreno, Nicholas Payton

Carefusion Jazz Festival NY - 2010

Revive Da Live Big Band featuring NICHOLAS PAYTON SEXXXtet
with Special Guests TALIB KWELI & The Tap Messengers
Thursday June 24th
@ Le Poisson Rouge

Presented By CAREFUSION JAZZ FESTIVAL NY
and Revive Music Group
In Partnership with Le Poisson Rouge

New Releases [Jazz] … for the Week of 6/21/2010

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African American, Herbie Hancock, Jazz, New Releases

Greetings’ jazz aficionados, I’m back with another slice of distinctive, and insinuating sounds, immaculate melodies, relentless rhythms attached to the opulent flavors embedded & freely exalted from the vibrant voice of jazz is here to quench our ongoing thirst for quality music.

Featured Album of the Week-6

Herbie Hancock - The Imagine Project

Herbie Hancock -|- The Imagine Project – [Herbie Hancock Records, 2010]

As always, I’m honored to showcase the “Featured Album of the Week.” On this occasion, I have for the first time a non-jazz recording drafted and transcribed from the prolific collective and imagination of the legendary Herbie Hancock who as we know is truly one of the most innovative pioneers of the modern jazz (music) era.

In 2008, Hancock was awarded the “gold medal” in the music industry “Album of the Year” for his 2007 release “River: Letters to Joni” his tribute to the transcending pop music icon songwriter/vocalist Joni Mitchell.

Apparently, the remarkable Hancock couldn’t rest after the success of Letters to Joni. Moreover, it took almost two years for Hancock to compile the material and talent to record his long awaited and highly anticipated release titled “The Imagine Project” which get this debuts on his own label “Herbie Hancock Records” reveals another side of brilliance within Hancock’s transcending soundscape.

“The Imagine Project” is a collaborative musical exodus which was plotted, arranged and poignantly formulated from the genius of Herbie Hancock. It seems, the purpose of the offering much like his previous vocal collections attempts in my mind successfully tears down the temporal walls inherited in our segregated mindset to unleash volumes of unyielding musical ideas that are generously poured through the vessel of his vast yet intimate travels to score music from a global perspective which exudes an artistic velocity rarely heard from the hearts and souls of singers and musicians that he summon to record this magnificent project.

Once again, the genius of Herbie Hancock prevails as he daringly takes the world on a music excursion and adventure like none before … what a way to celebrate his 70th birthday! —Rob Young/The Urban Flux

Flux Music Essentials … [Gunn, Hancock, Roumain, Whalum & Yellowjackets]

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Daniel Bernard Roumain, Herbie Hancock, Jazz, Kirk Whalum, Russell Gunn, Yellowjackets

Flux Music Essentials

Greeting’s jazz lovers, I’m back with another tasty mix of jazz that’s undoubtedly shaken and well stirred from the shelves of the “Flux Music Essentials.” First up, I’ve got the innovative voice of trumpeter Russell Gunn heading the pack, meanwhile the mix thickens with the legendary keyboardist, producer, songwriter and mega-star Herbie Hancock makes his statement with “The New Standard,” also newcomer and extraordinary violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain is ready to rock your world. The exceptionally soulful Kirk Whalum on saxophone arrives with “Gospel According to Jazz,” and finally the beloved Yellowjackets featuring guitarist Mike Stern is the icing on the cake of this infallible groove called jazz.

Russell Gunn - Ethnomusicology Vol1

Russell Gunn -|- Ethnomusicology 1 – [Atlantic / Wea, 1999]

Crossover recordings run an extraordinary risk of failing, or at least flailing. Trumpeter Russell Gunn’s avoids the former fate and, by and large, also escapes the latter. Consider this recording a sibling to his other early-1999 release, Love Requiem, which toes a straight-ahead acoustic jazz line while Ethnomusicology does something entirely different. Gunn’s ensemble crosses the wires of hip-hop and postbop, coming up with a slinky funk feel in spots (witness the opening groove bit with the Parliament-style pinched vocal welcoming listeners to the CD) but keeping a strong neobop improvisational vibe heavy and pervasive.

Gunn’s band gets great mileage from DJ Apollo’s turntables, especially on “Shiva” and the soul jazz-touched “Sybil’s Blues,” and pianist James Hurt plays fleet acoustic harmonies and uses the Fender Rhodes to its fullest ethereal potential. The horns are all at top capability, too, with trombonist Andre Heyward turning in splay-toned solos and saxophonists Gregory Tardy and Bruce Williams providing a nice one-two power beside Gunn’s confident, sharp-minded brass. —Andrew Bartlett

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers -|- Buhaina’s Delight – (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition)

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African American, Art Blakey, Drums, Jazz

Flux Classic Jazz Revisited

Each year during the month of June music fans and artists globally celebrate the influential sounds of “Black Music.” As a result, I’ve mulled over the idea long enough and found it essential to kick off a new series called “Classic Jazz Revisited.” Today, I’m honored pay homage to the legendary Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers and his 1961 Blue Note Records offering titled “Buhaina’s Delight.” As I see it, Blakey’s “Buhaina’s Delight” is the cornerstone of amazing recordings soon to follow by more great jazz musicians to be showcased each week at The Urban Flux. Of course, your input is an invaluable asset since you’re absolutely some of the most passionate jazz enthusiasts that I’ve had the pleasure to encounter. Thanks in advance and bless you for your time and generosity!

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Buhaina's Delight

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers -|- Buhaina’s Delight – [Blue Note, 1961] – (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition)

After a brief absence in the Blue Note catalog, I am delighted the label has reissued Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers‘ “Buhaina’s Delight” via the RVG series. Unfortunately, “Buhaina” (btw, it’s Blakey’s Muslim name) has too often sat in the shadow of “Mosaic.” And while it doesn’t quite hit the same fever pitch as its remarkable predecessor, it is a truly first rate modern jazz album. The same Messenger lineup of Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor sax, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Cedar Walton on piano and Jymie Merritt on bass return to accompany Art on the drums for these two sessions.

The band first went into the studio on November 28, 1961 to cut “Contemplation” and what became the album’s four alternate tracks. The group must not have been satisfied with the results because they returned to the studio three weeks later on December 18th to record “Shaky Jake,” and the eventual master takes of “Backstage Sally,” “Bu’s Delight,” “Reincarnation Blues” and “Moon River.” While the remakes are a bit tighter (particularly “Bu’s Delight”), the alternates are all very solid, and it is delightful to listen to the differences more than forty years removed. (Note, the same alternates were available on the earlier CD incarnation of this title, though thankfully in a new order so you don’t have to listen to “Moon River” back-to-back.) You too will be delighted (my last pun, I promise) when you have a chance to hear “Buhaina’s Delight” for yourself. —Michael B. Richman/Amazon.com

..:: Source: Amazon.com ::..

Corey Christiansen -|- Outlaw Tractor

Tags

Corey Christiansen, Guitar, Jazz

“From the first note, Christiansen lights a rhythmic fire that never flickers, punctuating chords with precision and soloing with zeal… ” —Downbeat

Corey Christiansen - Outlaw Tractor

Corey Christiansen -|- “Outlaw Tractor” – [Origin Records, 2010]

Following up on 2008’s Roll With It, Corey Christiansen’s critically acclaimed Origin debut, the dynamic guitarist returns with a vengeance on Outlaw Tractor, another grooving, soul-jazz offering featuring his working band, including New York organist Pat Bianchi, saxophonist David Halliday and drummer Matt Jorgensen.

Moving easily from the funky “When You Want” and “Outlaw Tractor” to the driving “Big Kids” and “Starstepper,” Christiansen’s soulful compositions and precise yet earthy guitar talents define an album that’s destined to become a classic. One listen to Outlaw Tractor and you’ll understand why All About Jazz called Christiansen’s Origin debut, “one of the most satisfying soul-jazz recordings of the year.”

..:: Source: Origin Records ::..