Jaiman Crunk -][- ENCOUNTERS – [Origin Records, 2012 | Review] –

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Ada Rovatti, Andy Narell, Bill Anschell, Composer, Ernie Watts, Guitarist, Jaiman Crunk, John Patitucci, Kenneth Nash. Ron Carter, Origin Records, Randy Brecker, Take 6, Wallace Roney

Jaiman Crunk, ENCOUNTERS

Jaiman Crunk -][- ENCOUNTERS – [Origin Records, 2012 | Review] –

It’s been awhile since I reviewed any new music; although it’s been a challenging experience it was beginning to be more like work then enjoyment. With that said, on my return, I’m pleased to share with you a new artist named Jaiman Crunk. He’s a guitarist/composer who emerges on the music scene with the blossoming fruits of his latest endeavor simply titled “ENCOUNTERS” his debt on Origin Records.

Flux Music [Jazz] Essentials … features [Abbasi, Camilo, Sakésho & Bromberg]

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Andy Narell, Brian Bromberg, Jazz, Michel Camilo, Rez Abassi, Sakésho

Flux Music Essentials

Greeting’s jazz connoisseurs, I’m back with 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.

Rez Abbasi - Things to Come

Rez Abbasi -][- Things to Come – [Sunnyside Records, 2009]

In recent years we have been able to enjoy the chemistry between guitarist Rez Abassi and sax player Rudresh Mahanthappa in albums such as Abassi’s Bazaar, and Mahanthappa’s Kinsmen. For an even longer time we’ve been able to enjoy the dynamic combo of pianist Vijay Iyer and Mahanthappa. On this album for the first time, we hear all three South Asian all stars together and the results are dazzling. Abassi, Mahnthappa, and Iyer are joined by a stellar rhythm section made up by Johannes Weidenmueller on bass and Dan Weiss on drums. Special guest Kiran Ahluwalia adds her beautiful Indian vocals to tracks 1,2,4, and 6, and Mike Block adds Cello to tracks 2 and 7.

While there are tinges of Indian and Pakastani music throughout this album, Things to Come is first and foremost a modern jazz album in the post bop style. Abassi has obviously put a lot of thought and time into crafting clever songs with many tightly interwoven parts. The mood of the album tends to be dreamlike, reflective and cerebral. It’s easy to let you mind wander as the songs drift from one clever part to another. Abassi, Iyer and Mahanthappa are all great soloist with very different styles and textures. There are great solos throughout and it is fascinating to go from the blasting ferocity of Mahanthappa’s blistering sax solos, to the richly layered thought provoking explorations of Iyer, to the snaking, trance inducing, meanderings of Abassi.

Every song is good on this CD and is a joy to listen to from start to finish. —Scott Williams | Amazon.com