Flux Music Essentials … features [Choulai, Elling, Maupin, Moreno, & Perez]

Tags

Aaron Choulai, Bennie Maupin, Danilo Pérez, Jazz, Kurt Elling, Mike Moreno

Flux Music Essentials

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

Danilo Perez, Panamonk

Danilo Perez -//- Panamonk – [Impluse! Records, 1996]

If you have ever wondered what the music of Thelonious Monk would sound like if played with a Latin flair (you may have never wondered that before, but now that you have started to read this review, you may well be wondering just that already–kind of like the old psychological trick, telling someone “try not to think about an elephant”), young pianist Danilo Lopez has the answers you have been looking for.

Playing both Monk originals and some of his own compositions, accompanied by bass and drums, Perez spiritedly communicates a zest for music and life that resonates with Monk’s musical personality. This is one of the freshest, most energetic jazz recordings I have heard in some time, and I recommend it highly to all jazz fans, especially to those with a love for the music of Thelonious Sphere Monk. —Karl W. Nehring/Amazon.com

Bennie Maupin Quartet | Early Reflections

Tags

African American, Bennie Maupin, Jazz, Saxophone

Bennie Maupin Quartet | Early Reflections – [Cryptogramophone, 2008]

Bennie Maupin Quartet, Early Reflections

Benny Maupin was there with Miles when Bitches Brew was born. His bass clarinet was the anchor that kept all that electricity hooked to the Earth. He was there when Herbie and the Headhunters blew our minds with Chameleon. He was there with Herbie’s Mwandishi band when they showed us that you didn’t have to be plugged in to be “electric“.

Benny’s been in so many places at so many times when great things happened, and that’s not a coincidence. Benny’s always been under-rated in my opinion.

This new album with a great young rhythm section showcases some great compositions by the master. And please note that the man has an incredible tone on all the instruments he plays. He’s the master of the bass clarinet. He blows the Tenor like no one else. His Soprano sound is so fat and beautiful it makes you wonder if that is a Soprano he’s playing, and his Flute sound is lovely.

This is not re-cycled Be-Bop. It’s original music by a man who was always great and has aged like a fine wine.

Get it. You’ll play it till you die. —John Grimshaw

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