PIANIST BENITO GONZÁLEZ RELEASES HIS SOPHMORE ALBUM, CIRCLES, ON FURTHERMORE RECORDINGS

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BENITO GONZÁLEZ, Jazz, Piano

CD Release Performance at Jazz Standard on November 2

“”Life is a Circle that is Full Of many Circles of Our Existence.
Everything we do and learn make up who we are.
Every circle has a purpose and every purpose tells the story of our life.
Because in everything there is one huge fact and truth.
Where there is a beginning, there is an end, and another beginning.”
– Benito González, Circles – Liner Notes

BENITO GONZÁLEZ - CIRCLES (2010)

Circles, the new recording by Venezuelan pianist Benito González, his second as a leader, speaks of an artist taking stock — as he moves forward. “This album for me marks a cycle that ends and another that begins,” says González. “All my experiences are portrayed in this album.” And what a remarkable journey it’s been.

“Circles reflects everything I had been living in this cycle in my life.” If the recording has a classic, 1960s sound, “it wasn’t premeditated, but a reflection of what I was hearing. Also, I’m a fan of that period. It was a very rich time in jazz and I think it’s being overlooked,” he says. “And the musicians [on the record] all immediately knew what to do. There was great chemistry in the studio.” The album features old friends Christian McBride and Ron Blake alongside Azar Lawrence on tenor sax, Myron Walden, on alto and soprano sax and Jeff “Tain” Watts, drums.

[Featured Album of the Week] … Taylor Eigsti -][- Daylight at Midnight

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Jazz, Piano, Taylor Eigsti

Featured Album of the Week

Greetings jazz enthusiasts, I’m delighted to spotlight one of the brightest and invigorating voices in modern jazz … pianist/composer Taylor Eigsti. In fact, it seemed not long ago he was considered a prodigy and virtuoso … although he’s undoubtedly worthy of these accolades Eigsti is unafraid to express himself through a body of work that encompasses seasoned textures that are riveting, challenging and vibrant from a perspective of a young yet forward thinking artist. As you see, I’m excited Taylor Eigsti return with his fascinating excursion into new project territory on Concord Jazz appropriately titled Daylight at Midnight as our “Featured Album of The Week” at The Urban Flux. —Rob Young

Taylor Eigsti - Daylight at Midnight

Taylor Eigsti -][- Daylight at Midnight – [Concord Records, 2010]

Concord Jazz is proud to announce the release of Daylight at Midnight, the newest album from the pianist/composer Taylor Eigsti. This innovative collection includes original Eigsti compositions, as well as other remarkable musical renditions by composers such as Nick Drake, Imogen Heap, Elliot Smith and Rufus Wainwright. The 11-track collection marks Eigsti’s third Concord Jazz release.

On Daylight at Midnight, Eigsti continues to challenge the norms of what constitutes jazz today. While Eigsti pays full respect to the jazz tradition, he also exercises his passion for melodies of esteemed songwriters from his generation and explores a variety of music that piques his curiosity. In this collection, he not only finds resonance in the aforementioned top-tier, pop-oriented composers… but also brings to light a doubleheader of personal revelation: 20th-century Catalonian classical pianist Federico Mompou and up-and-coming vocalist/songwriter Becca Stevens, who sings five of the 11 tunes and adds her own flavors of the ukulele and charango. As fitting for an adventurous repertoire, the young pianist augments his unique and lyrical style with the Fender Rhodes, Rhodes PianoBass, Wurlitzer electric piano and Mellotron samples to add color and texture to the tunes.

New Releases [Jazz] … for the week of 9/20/2010

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Charles Lloyd Quartet, Jane Monheit, Junko Onishi, Marc Antoine, New Jazz Releases, Taylor Eigsti

New Jazz Releases

Greetings jazz aficionados, thanks for stopping by the Urban Flux at WordPress.com as I’m here along with you desire to explore the intricate sounds of stimulating and innovative jazz that awaits us on this massive canvas in cyberspace.

Each week you’ll discover a montage of new jazz releases featured that encompasses a generous diet of nuances which includes a wealth of complex and distinctive styles, textures, melodies, and rhythms exalted by a host of definitive and creative voices in the world of jazz.

This Weeks list of New Releases at The Urban Flux:

-))- Home by Jane Monheit – (Audio CD – 2010)
-))- My Classical Way by Marc Antoine – (Audio CD – 2010)
-))- Discovery /Nirvana by Charles Lloyd Quartet – (Audio CD – 2010) – Import
-))- Daylight at Midnight by Taylor Eigsti – (Audio CD – 2010) – Featured Album of the Week
-))- Baroque by Junko Onishi – (Audio CD – 2010)
-))- The Joy Of Flying by Tony Williams – (Audio CD – 2010)
-))- III by Walter Smith III – (Audio CD – 2010)
-))- Natural Selection by Rez Abbasi Acoustic Quartet – (Audio CD – 2010)
-))- Around The Corner by Grant Stewart – (Audio CD – 2010)
-))- Down With It by Dmitry Baevsky – (Audio CD – 2010)
-))- African Flowers by Geof Bradfield – (Audio CD – 2010)
-))- Stars Have Shapes by Exploding Star Orchestra – (Audio CD – 2010)
-))- Flash Point by Randy Halberstadt – (Audio CD – 2010)
-))- Ballads For Billie by Kim Nalley – (Audio CD – 2010)
-))- Trinary Motion / Live In Europe by Mike Mainieri / Marnix Busstra Quartet – (Audio CD – 2010)
-))- 4 by Clay Jenkins – (Audio CD – 2010)
-))- Mambo in Paris by Lalo Schifrin – (Audio CD – 2010) – Import
-))- Tracks by Will Sumner – (Audio CD – 2010)
-))- Stockholm Syndrome by Will Vinson – (Audio CD – 2010)
-))- Azure Intention by Lynn Baker Quartet – (Audio CD – 2010)
-))- Tight Like This by Brad Goode – (Audio CD – 2010)
-))- Two Shades of Nude by Doug Beavers 9 – (Audio CD – 2010)

Visit Amazon.com, for more details about Imports, Vinyl, Soundtracks, and Re-issues.

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

[Classic Jazz Revisited] … features saxophonist Jackie McLean’s “A Fickle Sonance”

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Jackie McLean, Jazz, Saxophone

Flux Classic Jazz Revisited

From my perspective, jazz is arguably beyond the scope of the ordinary soundscape in return disturbs the flow, energy and principles of novice, naysayers and critics alike desire to lock this beloved music into exile. With that said, I’m motivated to pursue these eternal images of legendary artists and their unpredictable yet compelling recordings at a time when cool jazz and be-bop collided to infuse a provocative template reign supreme as the new, hip and progressive sound to this day beckons jazz enthusiasts to embrace and savor these timeless treasures. No doubt, it’s an honor to be allowed the opportunity to pay homage to these powerful, and beautiful voices who made their unmeasurable imprint in the fabric of our culture as the cornerstone of this phenomenal movement in jazz. —Rob Young | The Urban Flux

Jackie McLean - A Fickle Sonance

Jackie McLean -][- A Fickle Sonance – (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition) – [Blue Note Records, 1960]

Jackie McLean is one of my favorite artists that recorded for Blue Note in the 50’s and 60’s. His albums, the sidemen, the tunes, the cover art, and especially his playing is a treat for me.

I recently purchased another recording by him called Action, in which it was more avant grade and “Ornette Coleman” influenced. This session, of which is more “straight ahead” is a fantastic listen from start to finish.

There is such great variety on this cut. Every member of the group except drummer Billy Higgins contributed to the writing on the album. Sonny Clark’s Five Will Get You Ten is a great opener. The rhythm’s and of course the melody is fantastic. The other Sonny Clark original is Sundu, also a great track.

Mclean’s A Fickle Sonance is the title track. Butch Warren sets this nice tempo, where Billy Higgins comes in next, and then the horns. It’s pretty cool. Stanley Turrentine’s brother, Tommy wrote Enitnerrut for the record. Don’t try to say it; it’s his last name spelled backwards. And according to Ira Gitler in the original liner notes, if you’re the least bit backward, it won’t be hard for you to figure out who wrote the tune.

Overall this album was great. Another classic RVG edition in the Blue Note catalog. This album swings, and you’ll dig it! —Chris Covais | Amazon.com

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

Flux Music [Jazz] Essentials … [Harris, Steps Ahead, Wilson & Sample]

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African American, Cassandra Wilson, Jazz, Joe Sample, Stefon Harris, Steps Ahead

Flux Music Essentials

Greeting’s jazz connoisseurs, I’m back with yet another intriguing palette of creative music from some of today’s most unique, adventurous and inspiring voices known and unknown artists alike in the world of jazz.

Stefon Harris - African Tarantella

Stefon Harris -//- African Tarantella – [BLUE NOTE, 2006]

Prior to buying this album, I was fortunate enough to hear Stefon Harris and his mallet play the music live. It was one of the best live jazz performances that I have heard lately, and the album is as good or better!

Several things stand out. First is Harris’ obvious virtuosity. I have seen Milt Jackson live and Harris doesn’t take a back seat. He plays the vibes and marimba simultaneously, and at amazing tempo. He isn’t just a virtuoso though, but a very creative arranger and improviser.

The instrumentation is very interesting: viola and cello, trombone, flute, clarinet, drums, bass and piano. This gives the album a wonderful tonal palette. The musicians are wonderful too; Terreon Gully on drums may be the best drummer that I have heard live, and I’ve been lucky enough to hear Buddy Rich, Jeff Hamilton and some of the other top drummers in jazz. Also outstanding is pianist Xavier Davis and trombonist Steve Turre.

My favorite tracks are adaptations of Duke Ellington creations: three numbers from the New Orleans Suite and two from the Queen’s Suite. I am less enamored of Harris’ compositions.

Harris is terrific as an improviser, arranger and performer. He, along with some other young jazz titans, give me comfort that jazz is still alive and vital for years to come. —Rick Loves Jazz | Amazon.com

William Parker -][- I Plan To Stay A Believer: The Inside Songs of Curtis Mayfield [AUM Fidelity]

Tags

African American, Bass, Bassist, Curtis Mayfield, Jazz, William Parker

William Parker - I Plan to Stay a Believer

William Parker -][- I Plan To Stay A Believer: The Inside Songs of Curtis Mayfield – [AUM Fidelity, 2010]

I Plan To Stay A Believer is the definitive document of William Parker’s The Inside Songs of Curtis Mayfield project, comprised of exuberant concert recordings spanning the past decade (2001-2008). The project features interpolations of the mighty songbook of soul music legend Curtis Mayfield by an equally mighty 8-piece band, occasionally accompanied by highly inspired choirs.

Bassist/composer William Parker is among the most active and highly regarded musicians performing today. This is the first project in his 35-year career devoted to the music of another composer. Curtis Mayfield was a prophet, a preacher, a revolutionary, a humanist, and a griot. Words that all apply to William Parker himself. Included here are two pieces from the group’s very first 2001 performance in Paris with a chorus of 90 children, and another pair from New York in 2008 which feature a full gospel choir.