[the weekend spin] … hangin’ out with vocalist Cassandra Wilson’s – ‘Sings Standards’

Tags

African American, Cassandra Wilson, Female Vocalist, Jazz

... the weekend spin

Greetings jazz enthusiast, as always I appreciate you for stopping by the The Urban Flux. While thumbing through some CD’s to spend time with this weekend I stumbled into and amazing recording titled “Cassandra Wilson – Sings Standards“. Fortunately, this jewel fell into my hands at the right moment to reassure me why she is undoubtedly one of my favorite jazz vocalist. With this compilation, you’ll discover Wilson’s gracious, intimate and impressive vocal presence expressive, unique and refreshing. As I hear it, Wilson is expressive and soulful .. she’s a bonified musician and composer at heart. Cassandra brilliantly uses her voice much like a sculpture to shape, bend and articulate these lyrics like no other as she engraved her exquisite signature into this marvelous collection of music. If you love vocals, then do yourself a favor and seriously consider picking it up this classic by Ms. Wilson … you’ll definitely be satisfied with what you hear. —Rob Young | The Urban Flux

Cassandra Wilson - Sings Standards (Verve)

Cassandra Wilson -][- Sings Standards – [Verve, 2002]

I doubt many of Cassandra Wilson’s numerous fans knew her pre-Blue Note (New Moon Daughter and Blue Light Till Dawn) recordings. They were, like the Brooklyn-based approach to jazz from which her and her musicians grew, challenging. The sound was raw with jagged edges exposed and consisted of original material with some standards and eventually an album of them (probably to increase her mainstream exposure). These standards include some of the more challenging arrangements from that period as well as the more traditional jazz quartet arrangements. However, all take on the style of the singer not as deconstructions of the standards but solid interpretations of old friends. If you like Ms. Wilson you will like this collection.

If you prefer some other jazz singer don’t buy it, and if you think no one sings like Ella or Sarah or Carmen or Betty, then you should not be reading this, but please check out the numerous ladies who are doing their own thing and doing it well (too many to list here).

This standards collection is one of the good ones, even if she has moved on in recent recordings to interpret a new set of songs. Check this out — and then check out her new one, Belly of the Sun, for a nice take on what music free of simple labels sounds like. I will have some of that! – –Jeremy S. McElroy | Amazon.com

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

Eli Degibri -][- Israel Song [Review]

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El Degibri, Jazz, Saxophone

Eli Degibri - Israeli Song

Eli Degibri -][- Israel Song – [Review]

Composer, tenor and soprano saxophonist Eli Degibri from Israel is about to bless jazz aficionados worldwide in a big way with his latest endeavor on Anzic Records titled “Israeli Song” features the incomparable Brad Mehldau on piano, legendary bassist Ron Carter and the renowned Al Foster on drums joined their talents to record this mesmerizing session. Am I exaggerating? Perhaps, … nonetheless for those of you that crave jazz shaken and slowly stirred with sonic signatures clothed with a rich tradition of the sixties jazz then you’re bound to be ecstatic as I am about the music on this incredible project by Eli Degibri!

Degibri effectively communicates with his original ground breaking material recorded with fervor on these eleven splendid compositions on “Israeli Song.” Most are ingrained deep in the cavity of traditional jazz as he steps out with the opener “Unrequited” a superbly stated composition by none other than pianist Brad Mehldau to begin the journey.

Geof Bradfield -][- African Flowers [Origin, 2010]

Tags

Geof Bradfield, Jazz, Saxophone

“…a colorful tableau filtered through personal experience and infused by an understanding of the history of the continent.” —Jazz Chicago

Geof Bradfield - Afican Flowers

Geof Bradfield -][- African Flowers – [Origin Records, 2010]

With a 2008 month-long tour of Africa as inspiration, Chicago saxophonist Geof Bradfield composed a rhythmically rich, harmonically challenging suite, drawing on his experiences in Rwanda, Congo, Uganda, & Zimbabwe.

Incorporating elements of jazz, Bradfield connects the sounds of Africa with those of the African Diaspora in North America, creating a stunning musical travelogue.

Before writing, he assembled a group of like-minded, dynamic Chicago musicians to compose for—pianist Ryan Cohan, guitarist Jeff Parker, trumpeter-percussionist Victor Garcia, bassist Clark Sommers, and drummer George Fludas—helping to forge a powerful group aesthetic for the recording.

Produced by Geof Bradfield

..:: Source: Origin.com ::..

Maurício de Souza Group -][- Here. There …

Tags

Drums, Jazz, Maurício de Souza Group

Maurício de Souza Group - Here. There...

Maurício de Souza Group -][- Here. There … – [Pulsa Music, 2010]

Eleven tracks of pulsating, sophisticated, and lyrical Brazilian Jazz and Straight Ahead Jazz music delivered by Bossa Brasil® and Maurício de Souza Group in trio, quartet, quintet, and sextet formats.

Maurício de Souza’s groups (Bossa Brasil® and Maurício de Souza Group) are combined in one jazz record with exciting and sophisticated tracks. Arrangements include compositions from the Brazilian Jazz and Straight Ahead Jazz repertoires. The album includes one original composition by Maurício de Souza and 10 other compositions by world renowned artists such as Tom Jobim, Chick Corea, Milton Nascimento, Cedar Walton, Luiz Eça, Joe Henderson, Edu Lobo, Vernon Duke/Ira Gershwin, Hermeto Pascoal, and Baden Powell.

Each track has a different combination of instruments, ranging from trio to sextet. Maurício de Souza (drums), Mike Stern (guitar), Andrew Beals (alto saxophone), Gregory Rivkin (trumpet/flugelhorn), Noah Haidu and Carl Viggiani (piano), Jerry Weir (vibraphone), and Morrie Louden (bass). This record is released by Pulsa Music. —CDBaby.com

Original Release Date: June 25, 2010

..:: Source: Two for The Show & CDBaby.com ::..

Issac Delgado Receives Latin Grammy Nomination

Tags

Issac Delgado, Jazz, Male Vocalist

Issac Delgado - L-O-V-E

Issac Delgado -][- L-O-V-E – [Ariola, 2010]

Sony Masterworks celebrates Issac Delgado’s recent Latin Grammy nomination for his new CD L-O-V-E in the category of “Best Latin Jazz Album.” On L-O-V-E, Cuban superstar Delgado recreates 12 sultry and sexy Spanish recordings originally sung by crooner Nat King Cole. He does so with the help of a number of outstanding musicians including a special contribution by Nat King Cole’s brother, Freddy Cole. This is the first time that Freddy Cole has participated in a tribute album for his brother.

Dubbed “suave and smooth…” by the Boston Herald, Delgado and Freddy Cole “bring a new verve to Cole’s roster of standards” according to The Wall Street Journal. Eight of the twelve songs on L-O-V-E can be found on Nat King Cole’s three Latin albums and the remaining four, are Cole classics that Delgado reinterprets in Spanish by infusing his own personal style and Latin Jazz elements into each one. A charismatic musician, Delgado transforms these 20th century classics into 21st century masterpieces while staying true and authentic to his Cuban roots.