Andy Narell | Tatoom

Tags

African American, Caribbean Music, Jazz, Music Reviews

Andy Narell, Tatoom

Andy Narell | Tatoom [Contemporary Jazz/Revisited]

Back in 1985, I was introduced to a record titled “Slow Motion,” by jazz show host Fred Story on WBCY in Charlotte, NC. Ironically, at the time I was a little apprehensive with what I heard. But, after listening to a few more tracks featured on the show, I fell absolutely in love with this album by a guy named Andy Narell who played a funny sounding instrument combined with an extremely funky jazz vibe on of all labels Windham Hill Records.

Now, some twenty-eight years later, the longevity of his music still resonates in my spirit. Last year, a friend dropped me and e-mail singing praises over Narell’s latest record “Tatoom.” With no hesitation and respectful of his opinion, along with a few clicks of the mouse Andy’s new record would soon arrive at my doorstep.

Gonzalo Rubalcaba | Avatar

Tags

Latin Jazz, Modern Jazz, Music Reviews, Saxophone

Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Avatar

Gonzalo Rubalcaba | Avatar [Latin Jazz/Review]

When I hear inspiring young artists like pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, I know within the oracle of his music and imagination, that he’s fundamentally grounded. This style of music is well within the scope of what I expect, want and love to hear when I listen to jazz.

As a renowned pianist, the Cuban native is into his second decade of recording music. Gonzalo Rubalcaba’s latest album on Blue Note “Avatar”, is suspended beyond the acoustic realm and intricacies of his previous efforts as a leader. Even so, the beauty of this album is compiled with lyrical, spirited, and rhythmically memorable gems. With his more then sufficient quintet, Rubalcaba generously shares the stage with his band-mates by asking them to be contributors compositionally to this impressive project.

David Sanchez | Cultural Survival

Tags

David Sanchez, Music Reviews, Saxophone

David Sanchez, Culture Survival

David Sanchez | Cultural Survival [Music Review] – Latin Jazz

More often, then not these days, jazz lovers appear to tire from being under siege by the usual preservatives tied to the womb of smooth, salsa, bop and other clichés shaped by even the most esteem artists. With that said, Puerto Rican-born tenor saxophonist David Sanchez is one artist that is certainly not enslaved in exile of commercialism. On his latest project, “Cultural Survival,” on Concord Picante, Sanchez manages to evoke a texturally persuasive conduit of innovative music that thrives on escalating his voice in modern jazz by traveling beyond the footsteps of uncultivated territory.