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Flux Music Essentials

Greeting’s jazz lovers, I’m back in with another tantalizing yet satisfying blend of original jazz that’s shaken and well stirred to perfection from the shelves of the “Flux Music Essentials.”

Mimi Jones - A New Day

Mimi Jones -||- A New Day – [Hot Tone Music, 2009]

Mimi Jones, multi talented bassist, vocalist and composer, brings her beacon of musical light to the world while embracing a positive future with her inspiring messages. Mimi’s elegant sound is an eclectic mix of genres based in a strong jazz foundation that leave room for funky bass grooves, world beat rhythms, gentle textures and the soulful cries of the Wurlizer. “My music taps in directly to the senses using elements of jazz, folk, rock, blues and different sounds from around the world which have all had such a profound effect on me.”

Her inspiring debut recording, ”A New Day” is bursting with original compositions seamlessly melting from one song to another and caressed by the warmth of Mimi’s sultry voice. The music is a rich assortment of rhythmic statements, musical textures, and compositional variations all flawlessly executed by Mimi Jones (acoustic bass, electric bass, vocals, composer, arranger, and assistant producer), Marvin Sewell (acoustic and electric guitars), Miki Hayama (piano, key board and Wurlitzer), Marcus Gilmore (drums), Lucianna Padmore (drums on tracks 1 and 11) and Ambrose Akinmisure (trumpet). The title of the CD speaks of embracing a changing world with a positive point of view while maintaining the courage to move forward just as the new persona and alter ego, Mimi Jones, was transformed from “side man” Miriam Sullivan in order to fully express her individual messages of change and personal evolution. —CDBaby.com

Branford Marsalis Quartet - Eternal

Branford Marsalis Quartet -||- Eternal – [Marsalis Music, 2004]

Having seen Branford Marsalis as part of his quartet a few nights ago at the London Royal Festival Hall I was blown away by the sheer excellence of this group of outstanding musicians. We were treated to a memorable concert made up partly of material from Eternal (three tracks) and other material – mostly much harder driving – that the band used to break up the mood.

The quality and inspiration of the musicians was phenomenal, they are all virtuoso at their respective instruments. I have seen many major Jazz musicians in concert over the years but never has my jaw hit the ground so hard as when I watched these guys. Phenomenal levels of skill and musical integrity were on display.

Make no mistake, this quartet is operating at the highest level in Jazz today. Each of the four are outstanding musicians in their own right and yet they play together brilliantly. Really, it does not get any better than this.

As far as the album in question goes – this is a clear 5* release. Clearly it’s on the softer side of what Branford usually does but the resulting production is music at the highest levels of inspiration. Many beautiful tracks, no clunkers all played warmly and nothing clichéd.

Highly recommended. —Nicholas Rees/Amazon.com

Jason Moran - Soundtrack to Human Motion

Jason Moran -||- Soundtrack to Human Emotion – [Blue Note, 1999]

Jazz pianist/composer Jason Moran’s debut, Soundtrack to Human Motion, approaches his music with an abstract, impressionistic outlook. Inspired by artists as diverse as painter Jean-Michel Basquiat and composer Maurice Ravel on tracks like “JAMO Meets SAMO” and “Le Tombeau de Couperin/States of Art” and “Gangsterism on Canvas,” Moran applies a kinetic, graceful touch. Vibes, alto and soprano saxophones, bass and drums complete Moran’s sonic palette on this impressive first album. –-Heather Phares

Brooklyn resident Jason Moran brings a distinctly artistic touch to his jazz compositions and piano playing. The impressionistic approach of visual and musical artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Maurice Ravel inspire Moran’s playing and writing style, on both his own compositions and his work with jazz contemporaries like Cassandra Wilson, Steve Coleman, Greg Osby, and Stefan Harris. Moran’s debut album Soundtrack to Human Motion appeared in 1999; Facing Left followed a year later. —All Music.com

Tineke Postma - A Journey That Matters

Tineke Postma -||- A Journey That Matters – [Foreign Media Group, 2007]

On her 2007 release A Journey That Matters, award-winning Dutch saxophonist Tineke Postma employed a broad scope of influences, instrumentation and composers to achieve what was well received by critics for its fresh phrasing and soaring improvisations.Her fourth studio album shows the same dexterity on alto and soprano saxophones, but through a more focused lens.

Convening the top-notch rhythm section of Geri Allen (piano, Rhodes), Scott Colley (bass) and Terri Lyne Carrington (drums), Postma seems to recall her Manhattan School of Music experience in The Traveller, which brims with the unmistakable sounds of some of the New York’s most prolific players. Against that backdrop, Postma’s voice is one of controlled emotion, where romantic melodies are balanced by complex changes and an often conversational give-and-take with Colley and Allen. And her use of overdubs on “Song For F” kicks off the album with a sound that’s uniquely hers. —Jennifer O’Dell /Downbeat Magazine 2010

At your leisure, visit http://www.tinekepostma.com/ for more details about this incredible saxophonist! Watch out for her new recording “The Traveller” coming soon!

Luge Lund - Early Songs

Lage Lund -||- Early Songs – [Criss Cross Jazz, 2009]

I’ve been really getting into what I’m going to call the new blood of New York’s modern jazz scene & Lage Lund is one of the new voices on guitar that has been making some noise playing extensively as a sideman with the likes of sax men Seamus Blake & Marcus Strickland to name only a few. Here on Early Songs Lage’s debut album for the Criss Cross jazz label he is sounding great in a modern postbop with a touch of groove jazz. Joined here by Marcus Strickland on sax, Danny Grisset on piano, Orlando LeFlemming on bass & Kendrick Scott on drums. What a great band, right there you’ve got many of the rising stars on their instruments. The program is made up of mostly originals with a couple standards in there to keep everyone happy.

My favorite track would have’t be the lead off tune Scrapyard Orchestra. The rest of the album is also great I hate to use words like beautiful & organic but they come to mind when hearing these fine jazz musicians make music together. Expertly rendered, highly recommended! I’ll let Lage’s music speak for itself. Check it out! —Anthony Guarriello/Amazon.com