Kenneth Whalum III – -][- TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE

Tags

African American, Jazz, Kenneth Whalum III

Kenneth Whalum III - TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE

Kenneth Whalum III – -][- TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE – [Kenneth Whalum III, 2010]

Fortunately to my surprise, while searching for new music I came across a relatively new voice in jazz tenor saxophonist Kenneth Whalum III. Which by the way, the gifted Whalum sounds frighteningly similar to the distinctive voice of his uncle Kirk Whalum. If you’re going to be influenced by someone, then Kirk Whalum would certainly be at the top of my list.

His debut, “TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE” is simply amazing as his father among many exceptional artist contributes to the cause to deliver a satisfying mix of soulful jazz soaked in even heavier dose of jazz on this project which will with each listen keep your attention.

We often assume when artist like Kenneth Whalum III comes on the scene he’s going to automatically duplicate the nuances, melodies and grooves we’ve heard before. Not completely so, in this case he doesn’t totally mimic his uncle after all he’s pursuing his own sound in order to establish his presence as one to reckon with now and in the future.

Kenneth is no stranger to performing live, he’s jammed with whose who in the R&B and hip-hop genres including music and fashion mogul Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, vocalists Mary J. Blige, Al Green, Ayo, and Regina Belle to name a few. Not bad company to keep for a newcomer, his debut “TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE” as I hear it is definitely a keeper and one to seriously consider to add to your collection.

At your leisure, please visit http://web.me.com/kennethwhalum/Site/Blog/Blog.html to get more information about this upcoming star. —Rob Young | The Urban Flux

Vince Mendoza & Metropole Orchester -][- Fast City: A Tribute To Joe Zawinul [Import]

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Alex Acuna, Amit Chatterjee, Jazz, Peter Erskine, Victor Bailey, Vince Mendoza

Vince Mendoza & Metropole Orchester - FAST CITY

Vince Mendoza & Metropole Orchester -][- Fast City: A Tribute To Joe Zawinul [Import-Zyx Music, 2010]

I first came across these on youtube-they are great to watch, with a core group of Zawinul alumni, including Victor Bailey on bass, Alex Acuna percussion, Amit Chatterjee on guitar and vocals, and Peter Erskine drums, you know this is a smokin’ band. Jim Beard does the keyboard duties and an excellent job he does indeed. The Metropole Orchestra is one of the best around and with gorgeous and highly detailed arrangements by Vince Mendoza (who also conducts,) this is a superb homage to the master. Mr Z would’ve been very proud of this record. In many ways I prefer this set to the Absolute Ensemble’s Zawinul album, mostly because I just like the choice of tunes and the arrangements better.

Of course if Mr Z had been around to play on this as he did on the Absolute’s equally great CD, it would’ve been mind blowing. I own a copy of this concert on DVD and much of this is taken from the same live concert as the one from German TV-high energy, ridiculously tight and wonderfully recorded to boot. There are several tracks that were from a performance at the North Sea Jazz Festival which are just as great. Erskine and Bailey make it all feel good, so even with a large ensemble which could have been rather unwieldy, this set swings like a mofo. A must have for Zawinul and WR fans. —Brian Whistler | Amazon.com

Original Release Date: November, 9 2010

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

Matt Panayides -][- TAPESTRIES of SONG [Pacific Coast Jazz]

Tags

Guitar, Jazz, Matt Panayides

Matt Panayides - TAPESTRIES OF SONG

Matt Panayides -][- TAPESTRIES of SONG – [Pacific Coast Jazz, 2010]

It is refreshing to hear an album of works by a gifted performer AND composer such as Matt Panayides. Panayides is a name well known to jazz aficionados but here he spreads his wings with a collection of eight new compositions, geared to place his associates in music – Rich Perry, tenor sax, Steve LaSpina, bass and Dan Weiss, drums – in as much of the spotlight as the guitar. Each of these numbers features one of the ‘quartet’ as chief soloist and for good reason: they are all exceptional musicians.

For this listener the most beautiful tracks on this album are ‘Different Place’, ‘Sketch’ and ‘Walking Across a Bridge (with no money)’ as they allow the deeply soulful playing of the composer to take front stage. Panayides has a magnificent touch and knows how to build to the core of a song as few others. This is a strong album and we can hope others will follow. —Grady Harp, December 10 | Amazon.com

Original Release Date: October 22, 2010

..:: Source: Amazon.com

One Soul Fellowship featuring Jason Moran -][- INTERACTIVE

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Jason Moran, Jazz, One Soul Fellowship

One Soul Fellowship featuring Jason Moran

One Soul Fellowship featuring Jason Moran -][- ‘INTERACTIVE – [One Soul Fellowship Inc.]

One Soul Fellowship, a New York based multi-ethnic jazz group, believes that music provides everyday people a meaning of life. Since 2005, OSF has performed in jazz clubs and churches all over the U.S. and Asia. In 2007, OSF released a debut album, ‘A New Creation’, in Asia and successful toured in Japan and Korea. The English version of the debut album was released in the U.S. on August 5th 2008.

Because of OSF’s unique musical style, combining Jazz with other musical forms such as hip hop, classic, and straight ahead jazz, all age groups enjoy OSF’s exciting performance. Recently, OSF has finished the 2nd Album, ‘Interactive’; featuring today’s world’s most prominent jazz pianist ‘Jason Moran (Blue Note Label), Latin Billboard Award finalist, vocalist ‘Marta Gomez’ and Grammy Award winner multi–instrumentalist Scott Robinson (Maria Schneider Orchestra). —BIOGRAPHY

While you’re here, for those of you that might love a unique twist to Gospel music check out “A New Creation” recorded in 2007 by One Soul Fellowship.

..:: Source: MySpace.com/One Soul Fellowship ::..