Anyone heard these new jazz albums? Thoughts?

SMASH · #1 08-10-2007, 03:14 PM

I suppose I could find samples or downloads on line but I'm old-school and prefer to buy music after hearing what people have to say about about albums.

I read about these in the latest issue of Jazziz.

I tend to like stuff that makes a real impact - from Miles' Sketches of Spain to Mahavishnu's early works to MMW's Dropper (and their last tour caved my head in and will be seeing them again with Scofield next month), while shying away from things that are "lite" and overproduced.

Might I dig these new releases, and if so why?

Eldar - Re-imagination
Michael Brecker - Pilgrimage
Chris Cortex - Awakenings
Tony Williams - Foreign Intrigue
The Bad Plus - Prog
Martin/Medeski - Mago
Dept. of Good and Evil - s/t feat. Rachel Z.
Buddy Guy - Can't Quit The Blues
Watermelon Slim & the Workers - Wheel Man

Anything else new that I might have missed that's killer? Or any great old heavy jazz or fusion other than the obvious Corea/Williams/Mahavishnu/Miles stuff? Any jazz/fusion labels around now that you can pretty much buy anything from and chances are you'll love it - something unto jazz/fusion as ROIR is unto dub/reggae or Cunieform is unto prog?

Thanks in advance for any input.

oliebrice · #2 08-11-2007, 03:46 AM

"I tend to like stuff that makes a real impact, while shying away from things that are "lite" and overproduced."

I'm not sure this means anything. Have you ever met a musician who said "I tend to like things that make little impact, are "lite" and overproduced"?

SMASH · #3 08-11-2007, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliebrice

I'm not sure this means anything. Have you ever met a musician who said "I tend to like things that make little impact, are "lite" and overproduced"?

Fair point. People, far too many. Musicians ... maybe not, though since so many musicians make lite and overproduced music I can't help but think that many musicians also dig it.

I made the distinction because the magazine seems to focus on "smooth" jazz. Given that, I wasn't sure if the albums advertised that I listed above might also be "smooth jazz" and if so - in my limited experience - that translates to "lite and overproduced" and totally lacking impact.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'll check out the live McBride. This is an artist that I wasn't aware of and I will also check out :

Steve Khan - Tightrope, Blue Man, Arrows (with Will Lee, Breckers, Steve Gadd crew); Eyewitness, Casa Loco, Blades/Modern Times (with Foster/Jackson)

I'm hip to Herbie and Cobham. Gotta give more attention to early WR. Any others?

Dennis Chambers is doing a drum clinic here in September. Should be a hoot.

Speaking of whom, what's a really killer album by Mike Stern? Saw him live a few years ago and thought he was fantastic.

And what's Kurt Rosenwinkel's greatest work in the opinion of those reading this?

oliebrice · #4 08-12-2007, 01:05 AM

>what's Kurt Rosenwinkel's greatest work in the opinion of those >reading this?

my favourites are "the next step" and Mark Turner's "Dharma Days", though theres loads I've not heard.

LM Bass · #5 08-12-2007, 01:42 AM

I am a big fan of guitarist Adam Rogers.

His latest record, "Time and the Infinite" is a trio record with Scott Colley and Bill Stewart which is about half standards. For a denser sound with more original compositions, "Apparitions" is great. It has Ed Simon, Clarence Penn, and Chris Potter in addition to Colley.

Reuben · #6 08-12-2007, 05:04 AM

My favorite Kurt Rosenwinkle recordings are the ones with the band Human Feel.

crookedfingers · #7 08-20-2007, 09:31 AM

Pilgrimage is great. Breaker recorded it before he died. He hadn't played for a year and somehow it didn't show. All of the compositions are new and there are a lot of great players on it.

Kam · #8 08-20-2007, 04:35 PM

I have the Department of Good & Evil. It's a good album, I wouldn't consider it to be groundbreaking though. My good friend Erik Naslund plays trumpet on it, so I would recommend it just for that.

*There are two songs on the album however that I would call over-produced.

tonequixote · #9 08-21-2007, 11:21 PM

Another new release in jazz that may be of interest is "Camp Meeting" . A great trio consisting of Bruce Hornsby, Christian McBride and Jack DeJohnette. Stellar playing by all involved, no lite jazz to be found. Smoking !!

SMASH · #10 08-22-2007, 02:37 AM

Thank you all. I'd heard some brilliant Bruce Hornsby non-pop stuff once and it slipped my mind. Thanks for the reminder. I will check that out.

I've got 40 new albums in the past month (yes, bought and paid for - mostly reggae and prog), so I'm compiling a list for the next spree after I digest those.

Manticore Guy · #11 08-22-2007, 10:02 PM

Anyone buy the new Donny McCaslin - In Pursuit? It is great

brianrost · #12 08-23-2007, 06:31 AM

Tony Williams "Foreign Intrigue"

This is a reissue of a mid 80s album. It has Tony playing Simmons drums (tastefully) on some cuts though the band is otherwise unplugged. Has one of Tony's best compositions "Sister Cheryl". Ron Carter is on bass. Highly recommended.

Buddy Guy "Can't Quit The Blues"

It's heavily weighted towards his post-1990 recordings...his 50s-80s sides are all on the first disc!!! That means the other 2 discs have lots of rocked up tunes with famous guests like Clapton, Jeff Beck, etc. A good buy if you love his modern work (which is good) but if you're really after his classic Chicago recordings you're better off with other reissues.