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Lisa Hilton wrote all nine of the ten songs on the recording and covers Joni Mitchell's "Blue Boy" which was culled from Mitchell's album titled Ladies of the Canyon. Each of Hilton's compositions is designed around a particular theme. "Rush Hour Rhapsody" is a Latin tinged uptempo gem that depicts life in a higher gear that is complimented by J.D. Allen's superior tenor saxophone solo and comping. The title track, "Chalkboard Destiny," alludes to the premise that "Life is fluid- we can create and revise our future." Lisa's exemplary pianism again has a Latin flair that is upbeat and happy. Her band is in the pocket with great interplay and intuition. This is a lovely song and one you'll enjoy playing again and again.
Amazon.com stated, "There's also a hard-to-pin-down energy flowing between Allen's explosive virtuoso displays, the dynamic details of Royston's accents and the booming lines of Curtis's bass alongside Hilton's fluid piano, which is impressive in a beguiling way." SOTJ definitely agrees.
Chalkboard Destiny has a running time of 53 minutes so kick back, sip on some of your cocktails and enjoy. This is among the best of Lisa Hilton's repertoire of great music and you can be assured you're in for a real treat. Keep in touch with Lisa Hilton at www.lisahiltonmusic.com.
Legendary pianist/composer Chick Corea reunites with Christian McBride and Brian Blade for their second collection of live performances. Trilogy 2 (Concord Jazz) is the trio's follow up to their 2014 Grammy Award-winning release titled Trilogy. The songs are mined from the trio's recent world tour and features live versions of such Jazz standards as Irving Berlin's "How Deep Is the Ocean," Thelonious Monk's "Crepuscule with Nellie," Miles Davis' "All Blues," and Kenny Dorham's "Lotus Blossom," modern classics, and several of Chick Corea's most revered compositions. This live double-disc recording is the perfect companion for their previously released masterpiece and is filled with great energy, awesome soloing and in-the-moment improvisation.
"How Deep Is the Ocean" kicks off the program and for nearly 12 minutes the trio invites listeners to explore the mysterious depths Berlin suggests in his sonic storytelling. Corea's "500 Miles High" is just as amazing since it takes listeners to a different level above this wonderful world – the heavens. Chick opens with a searching introduction before shifting into a sensuous samba rhythm. Two of Monk's classics "Crepuscule With Nellie" and his leisurely "Work" also made the cut. The trio breaks from the tradition of playing this song as written with no improvisations but as masters will do, they stay true to Monk's musical vision. However, the liveliness of "La Fiesta" is the main ingredient of Disc One. This lovely fusion of flamenco and jazz is played in an 6/8 pulse and also asserts Corea's masterful pianism and compositional integrity on a level still unmatched by his contemporaries.
Disc Two features Miles Davis' "All Blues" from his best-selling album, Kind of Blue. Chick and company play this song in a faster tempo – almost as an up-tempo burner. Chick plays an almighty solo and the melody of this great song lingers long after the trio's amazing improvised solos are over. The audience showed their appreciation with a thunderous applause. Stevie Wonder's "Pastime Paradise" made the cut as a result of a meeting between Chick and Stevie. This performance reveals the integrity of the songwriter and the interpreters since both creators require an understanding of each other's mindset and musicality. "Now He Sings, Now He Sobs" "Serenity" and "Lotus Blossom" round out Disc Two and leave you with the certainty that these three virtuosi are truly among the greatest of the greats.
Spectrum celebrates the maturity and depth that have enriched Hiromi's composing and playing over the course of her 30s. The nine compositions the prolific pianist/composer performs during what she calls "the sound of my 30s" reflect her musical growth and evolution since the release of Place To Be, (" the sound of my 20s") which was released as her solo piano debut on Telarc, a division of Concord Records.
The vibrant panorama of colors in Hiromi's music are first revealed via "Kaleidoscope" a song Hiromi says describes how things change when you look at them from a different angle; they are constantly changing and never the same. The cyclical patterns of this song expand and transform at an up-tempo pace in a full range of hues that tumble together in a prismatic whirl. "Whiteout" is a graceful metaphor for new fallen snow Hiromi witnessed when the world became one color in one moment. The title track is a tour de force that is a true indication of Hiromi's virtuosity. She excites, enamors and leaves no doubts as to her abilities as an expert performer.
"Blackbird" and "Mr. C.C." were both inspired by Hiromi's unique adoration of The Beatles and her fascination with writing something for comedian Charlie Chaplin. To complete the recording, Hiromi evokes several shades of blue during Gershwin's masterpiece "Rhapsody In Blue." Here she shows how a single color is made up of many layers of colors as she samples John Coltrane's "Blue Train" and The Who's "Behind Blue Eyes." Each of the colors in this song can be interpreted in many ways, like a kaleidoscope.
Overall, the songs on Spectrum reflect a brilliant array of musical genres and Hiromi's talents as a solo pianist and composer. Check it out.
Sounds Good, Feels Good is Big Beat's first full length project. The 19 piece big band that is co-led and co-founded by bassist Charlie Dougherty, saxophonist Phil Engsberg, trombonist Caleb Rumley and pianist Ryan Tomski, have added vocalist/songwriter Allison McKenzie to nine great songs, four of which she wrote. This set is energetic, upbeat and is imbued with elements of funk, pop, contemporary jazz and R&B all while hewing to the traditional big band spirit.
Covers of Stevie Wonder's "Knocks Me Off My Feet," and "I Want You Back" (which was made famous by The Jackson 5), are just two songs that get fresh big band interpretations. The instrumentalists reveal their individual virtuosity during solos – check out saxophonist Dane Alexander's solo on "I Want You Back" – as they underline Allison McKenzie's swinging vocals. The twist in terms of form and harmony make this version a real keeper.
Caleb Rumley not only shows off his memorable skills as a trombonist on his original funky blues titled "Just Too Much" but contributes his progressive arranging skills on 3 additional songs. Solos by Caleb on trombone, Chris Rogers on trumpet and Will Dougherty on piano show off some of the group's improvisational prowess. Joe Spinelli's adds some powerful drumming to the coda.
Keeping with the cover of contemporary pop songs, Big Beat does a great version of Jill Scott's "It's Love." However the original by Phil Engsberg titled "A Penny For Your Thoughts" is his take on the "the Big Beat sound" since it is packed with funky riffs, as well as intricate and complex ensemble work from all of the band members.
Overall, Sounds Good, Feels Good, is an excellent debut by a new big band that is co-led by four talented and dedicated performer/arrangers. Check it out.
Veteran actor and singer/songwriter John Allee dives full fathoms into his lifelong passions for Shakespeare and Jazz on Bardfly. As a be-bop balladeer who spends much time drinking in Shakespeare, Allee's recording is a super-literate and supremely swinging 13-track set in which he assumes the persona of Feste "The Bardfly" Johnson while mining compelling verses from Shakespeare's canon. From Othello to Henry IV, Allee adds music to some of the Bard's lyrics and invited such notable musicians as pianist Mahesh Balasooriya, drummer Aaron McLendon, bassist Dominic Thiroux, saxophonist Javier Vergara and trumpeter Matt Von Roderick to expand his visions.
Produced by Allee, all songs were composed, arranged and adapted by John Allee and based on lyrics from the plays of William Shakespeare. Check it out.
There are BIG brass bands and then there are six-member brass bands. Lucky Chops is the latter because they are not your daddy's kind of big brass band with hot New Orleans flavors and they haven't reached the funk level of that fiery 8-member brass band called the Soul Rebels. The six simmering members of Lucky Chops are Josh Holcomb on trombone, Daro Behroozi on tenor saxophone, Charles Sams on percussion, Joshua Gawel on trumpet, and Raphael Buyo on sousaphone. The founding members formed the group in 2006 while in high school in New York. Since then, they have continued their passion and desire to bring positive music that can heal and inspire others by playing originals and covers of some of your favorite pop and jazz tunes. Recent tours in support of their self-titled debut recording have been met with resounding critical acclaim and fan support. The new album, which was produced by Nic Hard of Snarky Puppy, is a collection of 11-tracks that features the band's exceptional interplay, improvisations, and memorable brass sound that is punctuated with funky riffs from the sousaphone, bari and tenor saxes, trombone, trumpet and drums. If you've heard the Soul Rebels, then you've got a good idea of what Lucky Chops' rising sound and configuration are similar to. Check them out. Stay in touch with their happenings at www.luckychops.com.
Pianist Harold Mabern, guitarist Peter Bernstein, and bassist John Webber join the great drummer Jimmy Cobb on his latest release for Smoke Sessions titled This I Dig of You. The quartet swings through 10 tracks chosen from the wide array of songs in the Cobb's Mob repertoire while focusing on ones that they'd never recorded before. Jimmy Cobb and company open with Hank Mobley's up-tempo composition "This I Dig of You." Peter Bernstein handles the melody while Cobb, Webber and Mabern seamlessly comp with vigor and rhythmic excellence before Mabern provides stellar highlights during his piano solo. Cobb trades time with Bernstein and Mabern before launching into a powerful solo that proves Cobb still has his mojo working.
Bernstein's "Blood Wolf Moon Blues" spotlights the 90-year old drummer's inimitable feel underneath groovy solos by Mabern, Bernstein and Webber. Heartfelt ballad "My Old Flame" has a similarly storied place in Cobb's repertoire — he recorded it with his old flame, Dinah Washington, while "Somewhere in the Night" updates the Teri Thornton (another Cobb collaborator) original to a fresher version of jazz at its most romantic and sophisticated.
Although all of the songs are performed to perfection, the songs Cobb recorded with John Coltrane are the most memorable. "Yesterdays," which Cobb first recorded live with John Coltrane and Stan Getz in 1960 and "I'll Wait And Pray" which Cobb recorded with Coltrane 60 years ago, remain timeless. Overall, This I Dig of You surpasses Cobb's first Smoke Sessions album, 2014's The Original Mob because of the masterful personnel and the band's intuitive playing style. Check it out.
The Infinite Dream, Luis Munoz's latest release on Pelin Music, is a bold declaration of musical maturity that features seven new tracks that attest to his virtuosity as a multi-instrumentalist, producer, songwriter, arranger and orchestrator. Joined by a coterie of musicians including Lois Mahalia on lead vocals, Jonathan Dane on trumpets and trombone, Brendan Statom on acoustic bass, Adam Asarnow on piano, Tom Etchart and Randy Tico on electric basses, Jimmy Calire on Hammond B# organ, and Daniel Zimmerman and David Hekhouse on electric and acoustic guitars, Munoz plays drums, Rhodes electric piano, synth, alto flutes, piano, Mellotron, as well as providing the drum programming.
These great songs feature the soulful vocals of Lois Mahalia who takes Munoz's creative visions to an even higher level than he achieved with his previous recordings. Her finely tuned vocal skills immediately captivate you, dear listener, and invite you to continue listening to the relevancy, textures, phrasing and resonate emotional power she delivers. Jonathan Dane's trumpeting is stellar throughout as is the musical interplay provided by Munoz's ensemble of side musicians. Adam Asarnow plays a memorable solo on "Shame" as Munoz underlines with the rhythm logic.
Among the more memorable highlights, and there are many, is Luis Munoz's impressive variety of styles, approaches and feelings. He delivers precise messages that resonate with a powerful sense of identity on such songs as the title track and "Irene." His tasteful inventiveness and rhythmic nuance connects, reconnects and keeps you listening to every note.
Overall, The Infinite Dream reveals Luis Munoz at the top of his game and equally impresses listeners with his virtuosity as a collaborator, songwriter and instrumentalist. Check it out.
Temple University has commissioned a new work from GRAMMY® Award-winning Composer Vince Mendoza. Titled Constant Renaissance, this excellent three-movement piece is the result of Mendoza's week-long residency at Temple University and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts with students at the Boyer College of Music and Dance. Mendoza conducted the 90-piece Temple University Studio Orchestra and recorded Constant Renaissance at the Temple Performing Arts Center. Produced by Robert T. Stroker and Terrell Stafford, the recording received its world premiere at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, PA on March 24, 2019. The recording was released on BCM+D Records on August 2, 2019.
The composer was inspired by Philadelphia's history with jazz and its connection to innovation, reinvention and rebirth. He chose three jazz luminaries to inspire each movement — all who hailed from the City of Brotherly Love – Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday and John Coltrane. However, Mendoza wrote the piece with trumpeter Terrell Stafford and alto-saxophonist Dick Oatts in mind, both of whom are on the jazz faculty at Temple University.
The first movement, "Bebop Elation," through its rhythmic bounce and acrobatic melodic nature, evokes Gillespie's impact on Philadelphia's progressive music scene and integrated audiences in the early 1940's. Trumpeter Terrell Stafford is excellent as a soloist during this movement.
The second movement, "Solace and Inspiration," is dedicated to Billie Holiday, whose voice, according to Mendoza, "was a source of solace and inspiration." A Philadelphia native, Holiday often came back to Philly to perform during her short career, most often seen at the ornate Earle Theatre on Market Street. This movement feels transcendent and mysterious via Stafford's lower registers and the soulful arrangements performed by the Temple University Studio Orchestra.
Saxophonist and composer John Coltrane inspired the third movement, "Love, a Beautiful Force," which embraces the use of ostinato as a sense of meditation and nod to improvisation. According to Mendoza, "the ostinato motive of this movement is in constant variation from beginning to end. The conclusion of the piece morphs into a more contemporary treatment of the ostinato, in a constant ascension to the heavens in gratitude for the path Coltrane cleared for us." Coltrane lived and worked in Philadelphia from 1943 to 1958.
Constant Renaissance is an excellent recording and one that should be in your jazz orchestra collection. Check it out.
While the songs Tierney Sutton sings on ScreenPlay may be new to you, they are considered among the great masterpieces of songs that premiered in some of your favorite films. That said, the Tierney Sutton Band reimagines 15 of these great songs on their latest release for BFM Jazz titled ScreenPlay.
For starters, the heart-wrenchingly melodic treatments Sutton gives to her arrangement of "Windmills of Your Mind" from The Thomas Crown Affair and her co-arrangement with Trey Henry of "Moon River/Calling You" from Breakfast at Tiffany's/Bagdad Café are so beautiful that you immediately immerse yourself in her multi-octave vocals and intimate accompaniment of pianist Christian Jacob, bassists Kevin Axt and Trey Henry and drummer Ray Brinker. Her power of expert vocal imagination continues with an upbeat version of the title song from On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever) which also showcases an outstanding piano solo by Christian Jacob and a captivating call-and-response sequence with drummer Ray Brinker. Here, Sutton's voice is exquisite, purely soprano and proves her to be an astonishingly agile and captivating singer.
Michel Legrand, Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman have contributed some of the most beautiful songs to film scores in the history of the genre and ScreenPlay definitely gives them their props. In addition to "The Windmills of Your Mind," the Tierney Sutton Band plays "What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?" from The Happy Ending, and "How Do You Keep the Music Playing? from the film titled Best Friends. Guitarist Serge Merlaud and the great Alan Bergman himself join Tierney on "How Do You Keep the Music Playing? The Bergmans also wrote the ballads "Ev'ry Now and Then" mined from Mulholland Falls and "It Might Be You" culled from Tootsie with Dave Grusin. These songs are now sung with whispered transcendence that give you, dear listener a lot of pleasure.
There are many great highlights including "Arrow" the song Tierney Sutton and Christian Jacob wrote for the acclaimed Clint Eastwood directed film titled Sully, "The Sound of Silence" from The Graduate with its exemplary percussive beats at the intro, and the beautiful ballad "Hopeless Devoted to You" from Grease. However I am sure late Bert Lahr, who played the role of the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz, would enjoy hearing (if he could) his version of "If I Only Had A Brain" as an updated jazz version sung by the great Tierney Sutton. This finger-popping gem now has a mix of urban soul and two great bass solos – arco and pizzicato – by Kevin Axt and Trey Henry.
Overall, Tierney Sutton, an eight-time Grammy-nominated singer, and her band have you, dear listener under a culturally inclusive spell because of her diverse and creative interpretations, her exquisite vocals and the outstanding arrangements and accompaniments. Check it out and then keep up with Tierney Sutton Band's happenings at www.tierneysutton.com.
Jazz pianist Senri Oe exceeds all expectations with his new recording called HMMM. Released via PND Records, the album has nine new songs and features him with acclaimed musicians - bassist Matt Clohesy and drummer Ari Hoenig. Senri wrote all of the songs which are both lively and introspective, beautifully structured and ever so listenable. Senri's excellent pianism throughout this recording exudes his commitment to his art and powerful percussive trademark piano style.
Because HMMM is Senri's most personal, intimate album to date, you, dear listener, will experience a heartfelt tribute dedicated to the memory of his father, who passed away right before the recording of the album. The six trio tracks are interspersed with two interludes - "Freshening Up," and "When Life Was A Pizza Party" as well as a postlude titled "A Fireplace." They showcase Senri's spirited, often lighthearted piano style, as he interacts with the dynamics-filled grooves created by Hoenig and Clohesy.
"Orange Desert" is the first single released from the album. The first notes instantly engage you in its non-stop head-bopping and toe-tapping rhythmic grooves because of Senri's percussive playing and interplay with Clohesy and Hoenig. Overall, the entire recording is one you'll enjoy for years to come and puts Senri Oe in a class of new jazz pianists that are changing their profiles around the globe.
Give HMMM a deep listen and keep in touch with Senri Oe's happenings at http://www.peaceneverdie.com
Inspiration comes in many forms and from the sound of Jesse Palter's latest release for Artistry Music titled Paper Trail, her creative processes resulted in ten songs that verified her exceptional prowess as a songwriter and vocalist. These ten songs also reveal Ms. Palter's versatility as a collaborator with such respected studio artists as bassists Tim Lefebvre and Alex Al, and drummers Matt Chamberlan and Aaron Sterling. Produced by keyboardist Doug Petty, Paper Trail represents what the songs mean to Jesse Palter on a personal level.
The recording opens with "Sever the Ties" which is a powerful, rhythmic break up song that showcases Palter's vocals in a recognizable style as the music surges in a steady stream of rhythmic currents before vanishing into a slow fade. The speed and character of the music changes frequently, but the different songs are so skillfully dovetailed that her stories can be heard as a continuum. For example, the lyrics to "TMI (Wouldn't You Like to Know)" merge into the theme of "Paper Trail." As the recording proceeds, we hear Palter's multi-octave vocals referring to that long-lost person in "Waitin.'" She ultimately arrives at the finish line telling this person "Goodbye My Friend."
Overall, Paper Trail looked deep into Jesse Palter's life experiences for inspiration and resulted in the creation of ten successful songs that focused specifically on a liberating turning point in her musical career. Check it out.
Vocalist Beata Pater offers an exquisite set on her latest recording titled Tet. Backed by an 18- piece ensemble, Beata sings a selection of jazz standards and original compositions by such contemporary composers Freddie Hubbard, Al Jarreau, Chick Corea and Neville Potter. Beata also produces and co-wrote the core arrangements for the recording with her pianist Hiromu Aoki. The string arrangements which were beautifully written by Alex Danson and the wind and brass arrangements were written by Aaron Lington.
Joined by several revered jazz and classical North Californian accompanists, Beata opens with an immaculate version of Freddie Hubbard's "Little Sunflower" which highlights her beautiful soprano range on Al Jarreau's lyrics, the lovely string arrangements and the gorgeous piano solo played by Hiromu Aoki. "Lazy Afternoon" is also beautifully sung and her Beata captivates you, dear listener, in a lower alto voice that flows alongside the lovely violin players and pianist's solo. Chick Corea's "Crystal Silence" is given a new interpretation that opens with exotic strings and now includes lyrics by Neville Potter. Beata's excellent soprano makes this song a keeper.
Among the standards sequenced on the recording are upbeat versions of "Old Devil Moon" and "Invitation" as well as three songs written by Alan "Chip" White. Overall, Tet is simply a beautiful offering and features highly impressive singing by Beata Pater.
Sometimes, the backup singers leave the background and move, with an undeniable flourish, to center stage. That's what happened for Catherine Russell, who had toured the world and appeared on more than 200 albums with such stars as Paul Simon, David Bowie and Michael Feinstein before launching her her 2006 debut album Cat, (World Village/Harmonia Mundi), which garnered rave reviews, and paved the way for her 2008 sophomore release, Sentimental Streak. With numerous solo recordings, international awards, a 2012 GRAMMY Award win as the featured artist on the soundtrack of the HBO TV series Boardwalk Empire, and a 2016 GRAMMY Award nomination for Harlem On My Mind as Best Jazz Vocal Album now added to her list of accolades, Catherine Russell has entertained audiences on four continents with her powerful blues, rich tone, versatile voice, sass-and-brass personality and a repertoire that stretches from today back to the 1920s.
Catherine Russell's seventh album, Alone Together, (Dot Time Records), was released on March 1, 2019 The recording features a selection of gems written by such composers as Nat King Cole, Irving Berlin and Arthur Schwartz & Howard Dietz along with other vital interpretations that burst with soul and humor. Joined by her ensemble of guitar virtuoso and musical director Matt Munisteri, pianist Mark Shane, bassist Tal Ronen and drummer Mark McLean, Catherine sings a program of obscure compositions that sparkle in acoustic swing. Among the more memorable songs are "He May be Your Dog But He's Wearing My Collar," the swinging "Errand Girl For Rhythm," "How Deep Is The Ocean," and "I Only Have Eyes For You."
Additional musical accompaniment from trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso, John Allred on trombone, Evan Arntzen on tenor saxophone, Dana Lyn on violin, Eddy Malave on viola and Marika Hughes heighten Russell's stunning vocal approach which combines a pedigree of classic jazz & rhythm and blues. With these unique interpretations of the Great American Songbook Alone Together is sure to pave the way for Catherine Russell to join the ranks of the greatest interpreters and performers of American Popular Song.
The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul
Branford Marsalis Quartet
The Branford Marsalis Quartet's new OKeh Records album, The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul, features five new originals written by the band members and two covers composed by Andrew Hill and Keith Jarrett. The celebrated ensemble opens new doors to their world of creativity and performs at a new peak, addressing a kaleidoscope of moods with both individual inspiration and group commitment. Branford Marsalis produced the recording, plays the soprano and tenor saxophones while band mates – pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis and drummer Justin Faulkner hold down the rhythm and melodic logic.
The ensemble created the music after an initial get-acquainted week of gigs and studio work at the Ellis Marsalis Center in New Orleans in October 2017 and ultimately documented their seven latest additions to its already prodigious repertoire while at the Alexander Theatre at Monash University in Clayton, Australia. Eric Revis composed the surging "Dance of the Evil Toys" and equally dynamic "Nilaste," while Calderazzo's virtuosic keyboard chops are spotlighted in his compositions "Cianna" and "Conversation Among the Ruins." In addition to the leader's own "Life Filtering from the Water Flowers," with one of his most deeply felt and keenly shaded tenor saxophone solos, there are two of the more challenging jazz jewels of the mid-seventies, Andrew Hill's "Snake Hips Waltz" and Keith Jarrett's "The Windup."
With The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul, the Branford Marsalis Quartet reaches deep into their incredibly satisfying creativity to give you, dear listener, a sophisticated and adventurous musical experience that is unpretentious, strong, and fresh with a rich multi-genre influence. Check it out.
For Bob Baldwin's 25thalbum as a leader, the pianist/keyboardist/composer chose to re-imagine compositions from The Beatles massive songbook. He jazzes up such songs as "Come Together," "Yellow Submarine," "And I Love Her," "Michelle," and several others with his trademark urban-jazz stylings all while inviting several respected jazz artists to join him. Euge Groove, CeCe Peniston, Ragan Whiteside, Lori Williams all contribute their amazing artistry to this excellent collection of songs. CeCe Peniston's interprets "Fool On the Hill" in a soulful arrangement that you'll not likely to forget any time soon. "Imagine" in all its beauty features the sweet soprano saxophonics of Euge Groove underling Baldwin's sensitive piano stylings just before flutist Ragan Whiteside adds her graceful notes to the classic love ballad titled "Michelle." Lori Williams sings an elegant version of "My Love" and subsequently does double duty on "Abbey Road" which she co-wrote and performs with Baldwin. Their duet is simply gorgeous. Overall, Bob Baldwin Presents Abbey Road and The Beatles is a remarkable musical experience that showcases the impeccable songwriting of The Beatles and how Bob Baldwin has skillfully brought these 1960s classics forward for a new generation to embrace and adore. Check it out.s
Miles Davis & John Coltrane: The Final Tour: The Bootleg Series – Volume 6" was produced as a result of "Norman Granz's JATP Presents Jazz Winners 1960": which was a Jazz at the Philharmonic project produced by jazz impresario Norman Granz in partnership with different promoters in each country, starting in France, then Sweden, Denmark, West Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Holland. The double disc set features concerts where Miles Davis' performed for the first time overseas with his own ensemble – John Coltrane on tenor sax, Wynton Kelly on piano, Paula Chambers on bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums. It and was a career breakthrough for Miles in Europe which elevated him to the level of international music star. It would be the last tour of Europe with Coltrane who went on to form his own ensemble upon returning to the USA.
The box set offers two sets from Paris' L'Olympia, two sets at Stockholm's Konserthuset and one from Copenhagen's Tivolis Koncertsal. Colored by emotion, surprises and with each musician bringing their own identities, the music speaks for itself. Each night was more focused, musically consistent and balanced with well-chosen standards and tunes from Davis' mega-hit Kind of Blue. Familiar standards – "Bye Bye Blackbird," "On Green Dolphin Street," "All of You," were among the stylistic favorites, while "So What" and "All Blues" focused on personal lyricism. "Fran Dance" is beautiful and pays tribute to Davis' wife who recently departed this Earth on November 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, CA.
The great innovators were all on point during these concerts and left a lasting legacy. A six minute interview by Carl-Erik Lindgren with John Coltrane wraps up Disc #4 and provides extra insight into Coltrane's thoughts and creative processes. The box set was produced by Steve Berkowitz, Michael Cuscuna and Richard Seidel with executive producers Erin Davis, Cheryl Davis and Vince Wilburn, Jr. for Columbia/Legacy imprint and is the first legitimate issue of this material. Overall, with its original sounds, excellent liner notes, photos and excellent mastering, this box set is a must have for any serious Davis/Coltrane collection.
Tex Allen and the American Folklorical Poets obliterate walls between musical genres with an innovative production methodology that stretches spoken word poetry across soulful melodicism and contemporary jazz styles. The concept for the recording began in a proposal entitled "America Folklorical" that was accepted by the Museum of Fine Arts Houston for a performance and eventually inspired this work by way of social settings and experiencing the spoken words of the poets, Chris Wise, Marie Brown, Billie Hill and Illy Ansa.
Tex Allen composed the music, plays piano and trumpet along with Dr. Robert Bacon on harmonica, John Harvey on percussion, and A.J. Moyer on contra bass. The album deals directly with social issues of the day, hard-won wisdom and that most ever-present of mysteries – love. Rather than descend into identity politics, Allen and the poets relate their raw emotions on such titles as "Avocado," "Hypocrits Delight" and "I Walk To Tell You Something."
Dr. Robert Bacon contributes soulful and most importantly profound harmonica stylings on "Avocado" and "The Hypocrits Delight" culminating in an intimate, compelling performance that sends the listener into his contemplative but optimistic notes. Allen's trumpet and piano virtuosity is brilliantly complimented by Harvey's percussive instincts and Moyer's bass logic on "I Walk To Tell You Something" making this arrangement somewhat romantic but just as important to ponder as the spoken words posed by this repertoire.
Overall, Tex Allen and the American Folklorical Poets offer a special gift to Allen's fans and arrives just in time for the holidays, a time for family and friends to gather and celebrate the communal spirit of the season. This short set of three compositions expresses sentiments bristling with passion yet brimming with the collective spirit of jazz in an inspired performance between Tex Allen and his Folklorical Poets.
Stay in touch with Tex Allen and the American Folklorical Poets at www.texallen.com.
Laura Dickinson's 17-piece big band holiday album Auld Lang Syne is not only vivacious and uplifting but re-authenticates her musical abilities as a Grammy-winning producer, singer and multi-instrumentalist. The recording features some of your favorite holiday carols in jazzed-up big band arrangements that you are sure to enjoy. Dickinson invited a 24 voice SAG-AFTRA choir to bring additional cheer to the recording and this supporting cast is pitch perfect. Among the featured performers are Steve Trapini who performs solos on bass trombone on "Everybody's Waitin' For The Man With The Bag," trumpeter Kye Palmer performs on "Love You Didn't Do Right By Me," and Grammy-winning guitarist Andrew Synowiec on the title track "Auld Lang Syne" which he also co-arranged with Laura Dickinson.
The songs are mined from several holiday movie classics and other perennial hits and are arranged by the likes of Brent Fischer ("I've Got Love to Keep Me Warm"), Johnny Mandel ("Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season") and Alan Steinberger ("Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"). The CD is produced by Laura Dickinson for Music & Mirror Records.
According to Ada Bird Wolfe, her debut recording titled Birdie is a map of the past five years of her explorations: classic swing, Chicago blues, R&B, French and Brazilian jazz, bebop, Monk, Mingus, Miles and Coltrane. So as you will hear, there's something for every jazz lover in these rich compositions that feature vocalist Ada Bird Wolfe collaborating with Jamieson Trotter on piano, Scott Mayo on tenor sax, Jamelle Adisa on trumpet, Kleber Jorge, Hideaki Tokunaga, Nathanial LaPointe on guitars, Dan Lutz on bass and Mike Shapiro on drums.
Ms. Wolfe sings in Portuguese and French, covers such classics as Monk's "Ask Me Now," "Monk's Dream" with ease and adds a different perspective to Miles Davis' "Four" and "All Blues." Her vocals are fluid and have a lilting quality that draws the audience to her specifically as she sings. Songs such as the Billie Holiday's classic "Lover Man," the instrumental versions of Miles Davis' "All Blues" and Monk's "Round Midnight" are so associated with those artists that Wolfe's up-tempo version of "Lover Man," and her her vocal versions of "All Blues" and "Round Midnight" may not capture a lot of admiration for her renditions, yet every listener listens from their point of view, so who knows!
Overall, Birdie may be right for a late night cocktail with friends and family and may inspire them to follow Ada Bird Wolfe's career.
Fandango at the Wall: A Soundtrack for The United States, Mexico, and Beyond, features Arturo O'Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra with over 60 musicians journeying to the U.S.A./Mexico border to erase artificial divisions. Their musical goals are accomplished by the inclusion and collaborations among musicians from several nations, Jorge Francisco Castillo's son jarocho musicians and such esteemed special guests as violinist Regina Carter, drummer/percussionist Antonio Sanchez and singer-actress Mandy Gonzalez. The Kabir Sehgal/Mindvine Production was recorded live at the Tijauna-San Diego border wall during the Fandango Fronterizo Festival and is available on Resilience Music Alliance recording label.
The project has three forms: the album, a book on the history of the troubled U.S.A.- Mexico relationship and the afterword by former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young. A documentary focusing on the lives of the son jarocho musicians is currently in production.
The double disc set gifts listeners with 32 joyous tracks plus an introduction by Arturo O'Farrill. The collection contains music from several traditions and genres including Jazz, Classical, World, Hip-Hop, Broadway, and Son Jarocho. This surprising hybrid of approaches are not just a mélange of world musics, but virtuosic jazz and striking contemporary classical approaches.
For more information please visit http://fandangowall.com/.
Jazz legend and 10-time GRAMMY winner Wayne Shorter is known for never resting on his laurels and now has released his long-awaited project Emanon, his first release since 2013's Without A Net, which marked Shorter's momentous return to Blue Note Records where he began his heralded recording career in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in 1959.
Emanon is an extraordinary musical and visual experience that presents a triple disc set of original music by Shorter performed by The Wayne Shorter Quartet—featuring Shorter on soprano and tenor saxophone with Danilo Perez on piano, John Patitucci on bass, and Brian Blade on drums—with and without the 34-piece Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. The music is accompanied by a graphic novel penned by Shorter with Monica Sly and illustrated by Randy DuBurke. The title of this orchestral suite is also Shorter's title character for the graphic novel: Emanon, or "no name" spelled backward. With Emanon, Wayne Shorter shares his artistic multiverse. Everyone will create his or her own experience with the novel and music—but be prepared for that experience to involve the unknown.
The project came to fruition in February 2013 upon the release of Without A Net when The Wayne Shorter Quartet performed four of Shorter's compositions with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Shorter immediately brought the quartet and orchestra into the studio to record those same four pieces: "Pegasus," "Prometheus Unbound," "Lotus," and "The Three Marias" all of which comprise Disc 1 of Emanon.
Disc 2 features extraordinary performances of The Wayne Shorter Quartet Live In London playing "The Three Marias," and "Lost And Orbits Medley" while Disc 3 features the Wayne Shorter Quartet Live In London performing different versions of "Lotus," "She Moves Through The Fair," "Adventures Aboard The Golden Mean," and "Prometheus Unbound."
Emanon is a physical-only release that will be available in two versions; a Standard Edition that packages 3x CDs with the graphic novel, and a Deluxe Edition that packages 3x 180g vinyl LPs and 3x CDs with the graphic novel enclosed in a beautiful hardcover slipcase. Emanon is available to order today. Watch a preview video HERE.
Pianist/singer Betty Bryant sings 10 excellent songs on her 9th recording as a leader. Accompanied by her longtime producer/bandmate Robert Kyle, Ms. Bryant offers several well-known jazz standards and several original compositions for your listening pleasure. Among the many great highlights is her blues-laden rendition of "Ain't Nobody's Business" the song made famous by Billie Holiday. "Cho Cho" an original samba co-written with Robert Kyle, reveals Bryant's acumen as a composer who can use elements of Brazilian rhythms to satisfy her audiences. Irving Berlin's "They Say It's Wonderful" is another classic that Bryant brings forward for a new generation to enjoy. Overall, Project 88 says plenty about Betty Bryant as a singer/composer and it's worth several listens. Check it out.
Composer, arranger, pianist Senri Oe has released a beautiful solo piano recording that should appeal to his legions of jazz fans around the globe. Boys & Girls features original songs written by Senri and previously released on his best-selling recordings. "Flowers," and "Serene Sky" are brand new compositions written for Boys & Girls. Senri's style is lyrical, poignant and expressive. Each song has the distinction of having his unique signature sound combined with a contemporary, universal appeal. The treatments are ever so beautiful and continually make the listener aware of his talents as composer, arranger and pianist. "Flowers," "A Serene Sky," "Rain," invite the listener into Senri's refined respect for elements of nature while the title track and "10 People, 10 Colors" showcase his modern and classic technique at the piano and inspiration from people, colors and textures.
Overall, the collection of songs produced for Boys & Girls are a marvelous invitation to keep following Senri Oe's musical concepts and his timeless mix of serene performances.
Vocalist, composer and Thelonious Monk institute grad Johnaye Kendrick's new release on Johnygirl Records titled Flying features six originals penned by the vocalist and six covers of some of your favorite songs including one of the most intriguingly structured love songs – "Fallen" – the Lauren Wood gem made famous after it was sequenced in the motion picture "Pretty Woman."
On Flying, Kendrick's singing is nothing short of beautiful. Accompanied by the simple rhythms exuded by Dawn Clement on piano and keyboards, Chris Symer on bass and D'Vonne Lewis on drums, Johnaye's soothing vocals as well as the highly emotional way she sings keeps you listening from start to finish. Her multi-range vocals are filled with elongated phrasings, inspired colors and textures that reveal her depth as a singer and composer and ability to connect with her listeners.
As you continue to listen to the recording, you realize that many of her original songs were inspired by personal aspects in Johnaye's life. "Never You Mind" is her socially conscious message ripped straight from today's news headlines, while her graceful tribute to her young twin toddlers "You Two" is at the heart of home life.
By contrast, she adds such vocal gymnastics as scatting, vocalese and her multi-octave range throughout "It Could Happen to You," "The Very Thought of You" and "The Lonely One" to show her versatility as a contemporary jazz vocalist who can command your attention while breathing fresh riffs into these jazz evergreens.
Overall, Flying is a passionate offering with the potential for attracting more fans to Johnaye's widening fan base. Check it out.
Meeting of Minds focuses on the integration of voices with the big band. This fresh sonic palette features subtle yet harmonic and rhythmic nuances in the arrangements that blend together to create an interesting 21st century twist on Great American Songbook favorites. The improvised solos, superb ensemble playing, the four-part harmony within Mintzer's intricate big band charts and textures makes Meeting of Minds a very special recording.
Produced by MCG Jazz, the recording brings together 21 musicians who have been a part of the MCG jazz family from the very beginning. "Autumn Leaves" opens the program and highlights lead vocalist Kim Nazarian's and Lauren Kinhan's exemplary vocals. Bob Sheppard and Phil Markowitz offer beautiful solos that underline the gorgeous melody of this song which is played in an uptempo swing style with four-part harmonizing vocals instead of as a ballad fronted by a soloist. Cole Porter's "I Concentrate On You," is a showcase for lead vocalist Peter Eldridge with exceptional soloing from baritone saxophonist Roger Rosenberg. Damon Meader, who delivered all of the vocal arrangements, steps into the spotlight on "You Go To My Head" as lead vocalist and also adds interesting vocal improvisations as Scott Wendholt lends his trumpet visions to this lovely song.
Bob Mintzer wrote all of the band arrangements as well as "Weird Blues" which is the only composition not presently included in the Great American Songbook. With all of the songs now in different time signatures, the special arrangements that produced for Meeting of Minds make this recording worth several listens and gives new meaning to how classic songs can become modern day hits. Check it out.
The past 45 years have been good to bass virtuoso Stanley Clarke who has undoubtedly set the standards for acoustic and electric bass players as well as having defined the era where bass players emerged as composers, bandleaders and educators. With a great record deal on Mack Avenue that has produced such chart-topping recordings as Clarke's 2014 release titled UP, Mack Avenue has announced the June 2018 release for the Stanley Clarke Band's long-awaited album titled The Message. Produced, arranged and orchestrated by Clarke, the 11-track recording is a highly versatile, multi-genre collection of new songs written by Clarke and his then working bandmates during a 2015 tour of Europe. Several previously released songs from Stanley Clarke's extensive repertoire are also included.
The Message features such guest artists as rapper/beatboxer Doug E Fresh, trumpeter Mark Isham, saxophonist Doug Webb, and vocalists Skeyler Kole and Trevor Wesley. Spoken words by Steve Blum stand out on "Combat Contiuum" while collaborating with Clarke's core band of Cameron Graves on synthesizer, pianist Beka Gochiashvili and drummer Mike Mitchell.
"And Ya Know We're Missing You" is dedicated to several of Stanley's dearly departed friends. This collaboration features Clarke slapping out funky riffs, while Doug E. Fresh lays down his instinctive beats. "After the Cosmic Rain/Dance of the Planetary Prince" is a medley of Clarke's and Graves' compositions previously written for Return to Forever and inspired by Cameron Graves' 2017 Mack Avenue release titled Planetary Prince. These solos are awesome and linger with you long after the medley ends.
On "The Rugged Truth" Beka Gochiashvili's piano solo reveals his artistic improvisations and inimitable technique. The collage of basses, drums and keys draw the listener into their imaginative music cues that burn with energy and excitement.
The album also features "Bach Cello Suite No. 1" during which Clarke performs as a soloist during this recording as well as during some of his live performances. This solo is the epitome of Clarke's virtousity as an acoustic bassist/arranger/orchestrator who can mine a composition from the classical repertoire and make it accessible to a 21st century audience.
The Stanley Clarke Band is one great ensemble that brims with the omnipotence of Stanley Clarke's musicality and the energetic skills of his youthful bandmates. The credibility of The Message – which is love – further reveals that this band is unlimited and deserves your undivided attention. Buy The Message today from the SOTJ store. Click on the CD cover.
Hard driving, swinging, drummer/composer Chris Beck steps into the limelight with the release of his debut recording titled The Journey for A.W.M.C. Records. Produced by Michael Carvin and featuring Beck on vocals and drums, trumpeter Terell Stafford, Anthony Wonsey on piano, Stacy Dillard on tenor sax, and Eric Wheeler on bass, The Journey not only showcases Beck's talents as a songwriter but features his exceptional drumming and interplay with his bandmates. He calls this recording the "culmination of my life as a man, husband, father, musician and composer." That's a broad sweep and this recording justifies those feelings. With six original songs at the center of his debut, Beck illuminates many of his innermost thoughts and emotions on such songs as "Teona," to his "fiery little angel" on "Waiting for Aiden," "Tears In Heaven," and "My Inner Circle."
Opening with Wayne Shorter's "Mahjong" Beck spotlights the song's beautiful soaring and fierce melodic structure. The harmonic and rhythmic connection between Wheeler and Wonsey is impeccable and results in an amazing blend of improvised elements as well as written cadence. Although the colors and textures Beck infused in the ballad "Teona" are subtle, they ultimately reveal a refreshing and soulful homage to a dear family member. Eric Clapton's "Tears In Heaven" And "Waiting for Aiden" are dedicated to Chris' late son. Each song is gentle, intimate and reflective and played with reverence for Aiden.
Overall, The Journey is truly a wonderful album of music and should be in your jazz collection. Check it out.
Vocalist Jamie Shew covers such favorites as Cole Porter's "Easy To Love", the Rainger/Robin classic "Easy Living," and "You Don't Know What Love Is" in arrangements that shift the focus from their original moods to a modernized concept for 21st century audience. This music on this recording is reminiscent of the kind heard in a quaint nightclub, piano bar or intimate private setting where the audience is keen to her moving interpretations. Jamie has a lovely voice and should attract more attention as her fans begin to appreciate her skills, ability to tell a story and her ability to keep you interested in her projects.
Cathy Segal-Garcia fulfills one of her lifetime goals with The Jazz Chamber. She is accompanied by a jazz chamber orchestra on 10 compositions that have been arranged for her innovative recording. Cathy sings in several languages including English and Portuguese, duets with Kate McGarry, re-interprets Cyndi Lauper's hit "Time After Time" and stuns on the almost operatic version of "Cinema Paradiso Theme" with Mon David. A coterie of guest vocalists include the award-winning vocalist Tierney Sutton, the improve vocal group Fish To Birds, Ashley Maher, Emile Hassan Dyer, Cecily Gardner, Adrianne Duncan and Tracy Robertson.
The arrangements by Bevan Manson, Dennis Dreith and Dori Amarillo are spectacular as are the production values that shine as the result of the state of the art engineering and mastering techniques used to complete this recording. Cathy's voice is a splendid, resonant and captivating sonic experience. Her multi-octave range adds a new dimension to many of your favorite songs including "Star Eyes," "Universal Prisoner" and "Compared to What." So check out The Jazz Chamber and the brilliant delivery of these songs by Cathy Segal-Garcia, her guest vocalists and the 30-piece orchestra.
The Rings of Saturn is Joanne Tatham's fourth CD and it's a keeper. This collection of songs reveals her musical growth as a vocalist and interpreter of rarely heard jazz tunes. Accompanied by some of LA's finest musicians, Tatham performs at the top of her game and more importantly, in harmony and balance with her accompanists. Most prevalent are the jazz standards – "Love Me or Leave Me," and "It Could Happen to You" which take you down memory lane. Then there are the pop standards made famous by Todd Rungren, "Can We Still Be Friends," and Phoebe Snow, "Poetry Man." Overall, the intimacy of Tatham's voice makes The Rings of Saturn special and recommended for a place in your revered jazz vocalist collection.
Andrew Distel is an adept singer with a virtuosic instrumentalist's sensibilities. As the leader of his second release titled It Only Takes Time, Distel is joined by an exceptional string section along with a sterling nonet that includes such jazz luminaries as Peter Martin on piano, Carlos Enriquez on bass and Jim Gailoretto on woodwinds. Distel's vocals have been compared to those of Kenny Rankin's and Michael Buble's but with a distinctive sound all his own. In addition to penning two originals – "Wait For Me" and "Your Last Song," for It Only Takes Time, Distel and his ensemble cover several well-known classics including "Speak Low," "Alfie," and "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes." His rendition of the rarely heard "One Morningstar Away" opens the program and features Peter Martin's highly emotional solo. Distel sings Ivan Lins' "Amor" in Portuguese and later scats over the changes of the up-tempo version of Gershwin's "Who Cares." Overall, the entire program is an eclectic offering of jazz, pensive ballads, and lush string accompaniments. Check it out.
Guitarist Lawson Rollins has a released an 18-track collection of songs that span a decade of chart-topping radio success. Titled Airwaves: The Greatest Hits, the recording also contains two new songs – "Prado" and "World of Wonder" - recorded exclusively for this album featuring the group 3rd Force and violinist Mads Tolling. For fans of Lawson Rollins, they will remember certain songs from his seven solo albums including "Island Time," "Moonlight Samba" and "Daybreak." Although many of the radio edits are different from the album version, all of the songs sound fantastic and you'll agree. Check it out and then buy it from the SOTJ store.
LISA B (LISA BERNSTEIN) is not only a jazz singer and songwriter, she's also a widely published poet and spoken word performer. On I GET A KICK: COLE PORTER REIMAGINED, her newest CD and sixth as a leader, she applies her poetic prowess and vocal gifts to fresh interpretations of ten tunes by Cole Porter, one of the finest of the lyricists and composers (unconventionally, he was both) who created the Great American Songbook.
Lisa B chose ten songs Porter composed for stage and screen between 1929 and 1954. Although many jazz singers have sung and recorded Porter's tunes, Lisa B set out to re-interpret them in adventurous ways while still hewing to the essences of the lyrics. In the 1950s, some poets gave public readings accompanied by jazz music. Lisa B turns that paradigm on its head. On several tunes, she adds her own spoken word passages to jazz renditions of Porter's tunes, creating a genre-bending, multi-dimensional effect. Check her latest release out from the SOTJ store.
Grammy award nominee Chuck Owen and the Jazz Surge has released a masterpiece that should garner them extensive accolades and deeper fan appreciation. Titled Whispers on the Wind, the 7-track suite reflects modern western and American heartland themes and more in jazz orchestral arrangements that hold you captive from beginning to end. Opening with "Warped Cowboy" and closing with "Gunslingers", Owen and the 18 members of Jazz Surge fill in the musical stories with virtuosic performances of such songs as "All Hat, No Saddle" "Into The Blue" both of which provide a continuum of the western and American heartland themes they are conveying. Dynamic soloing by guest soloists trumpeter Randy Brecker, violinist Sara Caswell and Gregoire Maret on harmonica make these songs, landmarks, folklore, and myths memorable and worthy of several listens. Overall, tThese outstanding performances by Chuck Owen and Jazz Surge should get them the big win on music's biggest night. Buy Whispers on the Wind.
Your dreams are now coming true! As you listen to the music of Tak Matsumoto and Daniel Ho, two of the world's most revered musicians, you wonder what took them so long to collaborate but whatever, the wait was worth the wait. Electric Island Acoustic Sea features Tak and Daniel doing what they do best with several guest musicians who bring their musical visions to fruition. In addition to writing and arranging all of the music (except "Faithfully") the virtuosi play their electric and acoustic guitars, bass, piano, keyboards, Sanshin Ukulele and a variety of percussion and other exotic instruments to perfection.
Tak Matsumoto has sold over 80 million recordings worldwide and is a multiple Grammy Award winner. Matsumoto partnered with Koshi Inaba to form the rock duo, B'z, and reign as one of Japan's most successful acts, selling over 80 million copies and holding the record for most consecutive No. 1 singles. He has collaborated with the late Larry Carlton on their Grammy winner Take Your Pick and wowed jazz rock fans with his best selling TMG 1. On Electric Island Acoustic Sea, songs such as "Wander Blues" and "Adrenaline UP!" are pumping with electrifying chords that rock in harmony with Daniel Ho's acoustic guitar and Chinese cymbals, cJingbo, Xiao Luo and Da Luo that keep you on the edge of your seat. Power drumming from Randy Drake solidifies these awesome arrangements.
Daniel Ho is a six-time Grammy award winning guitarist, songwriter and producer best known for his Hawaiian slack key guitar and ukulele virtuosity. Daniel performs original songs in English and Hawaiian that feature his versatility on 'ukulele, slack key guitar, and piano. Notable credits include singing Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U" in Hawaiian for the feature film Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008), and his widely covered `ukulele instrumental anthem, "Pineapple Mango." His recordings have sold millions around the world and here on Electric Island Acoustic Sea, Daniel Ho not only plays a host of instruments but he covers Steve Perry & Jonathan Cain's "Faithfully" with vocals that certify his strength as a prepared vocalist. He gives you 100 percent of himself throughout this program while inspiring his bandmates with his mesmerizing interplay.
While most of the songs rock and roll, not all of the songs on Electric Island Acoustic Sea are meant to keep you on the edge of your seat as evidenced by the soulful and peaceful vibes the ensemble brings you on "Omotesando," "Island of Peace," "Rain," and the beautiful "Lia." Here Tak serenades you with serene electric guitar riffs while Daniel comps with acoustic guitar and electric piano, his world-class tenor and soprano Ukeleles and a variety of exotic instruments. So sit back and relax and enjoy this mind-settling music that makes you feel good.
Overall, this collaboration between Tak Matsumoto and Daniel Ho is virtuosic and should bring more attention to their musical visions, exceptional musicality and awesome skills as songwriters and performers. Check it out and then buy Electric Island and Acoustic Sea.
Producer/composer/bassist Hans Sturm has written an excellent collection of compositions for vocalist Jackie Allen's 12th recording titled Rose Fingered Dawn. Hans' songwriting is creative and diverse and provides exceptional vehicles for Jackie's warm alto vocals and spoken vocalese. Joining Jackie Allen and Hans Sturm in the ensemble are John Moulder on guitars, Tom Larson on keyboards, Dane Richeson on drums, percussion, Geof Bradfield on soprano, tenor saxophones and bass clarinet, Victor Garcia on trumpet and Any Baker on trombone.
The title track is a sultry spoken word poem inspired by Sturm's and Allen's travels to Morocco where they experiences the rhythms and colors which are paired with the text inspired by Homer's Odyssey. Dane invokes the character and atmosphere with an opening welcome chant from the Adzogbo people of Ghana. This is music that has come alive and is truly inspired. "NOLA Love Song" is a homage to the City of New Orleans, while Sturm dedicated "Bel Air BBQ" to the Director of the Kansas City Bass Workshop and is an homage to burnt ends!
The creative wordplay of "Time" is the result of Jackie Allen's ability to express herself in such poetic sensitive imagery in collaboration with the jazz/rock rhythmic interplay of Moulder's guitar pyrotechnics and the tick tock of drummer Dane Richeson's range of power drumming. "Dark Butterflies" is a slow bossa and abstract love song with some of the loveliest lyrics you'll ever hear.
Overall, Rose Fingered Dawn is a beautiful, creative masterpiece that deserves to be in your collection. Give it a listen and give yourself a respite from modern life and its challenges. Buy it here at the SOTJ store. Click on the CD cover.
Patrick Bradley's Intangible pays homage to a variety of influences that range from spiritual to late musicians whose music influenced his own jazz fusion style. The 10-tracks features the keyboardist with special guests Paul Jackson, Jr., Andrew Carney and Jeff Lorber who also served as producer of the recording. Bradley and Lorber arranged the songs and cultivated the synergy that is powerful yet graceful, riveting and rousing. Bradley used the Hammond B3 organ along with Moog forays to underline the deep pocketed grooves emanating from guitarists Adam Hawley and Michael Thompson, bassist Jimmy Haslip, drummer Gary Novak and David Mann's horns.
With titles like "Dear Friend," Bradley's intent to recognize such musicians as Keith Emerson, George Duke, Joe Sample, and several others, is front and center and clearly looks beyond the tangible to focus listeners on the spirituality and greatness of God. All of the songs reveal a creative energy within Bradley that transfers to the listener from the very start. Other great highlights include "Find The Way," and "Newport Coast" which are both central to the messages that Bradley conveys.
Overall, Intangible meets the standards set by Bradley's 2014 release titled Can You Hear Me? Yes we can and please keep writing these wonderful songs. Check it out. Buy it here at the SOTJ store. Click on the CD cover.
With her latest release titled The Moonlight Sessions, Volume One, Lyn Stanley has created a vibe and a sound that will certainly leave listeners wanting more. The Southern California-based vocalist demonstrates enormous chemistry with her band of some of the very best players on the California jazz scene such as pianist Tamir Hendelman, bassist Chuck Berghofer, drummer Jo LaBarbara, saxophonist Rickey Woodard among others.
The 12-track recording includes songs composed by Glenn Miller, Willie Nelson, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Rodgers and Hart and such standards as "My Funny Valentine" where her velvety voice and the pianist mesh beautifully, building a delicious tension in this classic. Her treatment of Willie Nelson's "Crazy" has an inspired arrangement by Count Basie's arranger Sammy Nestico, while her stately and swinging version of "All or Nothing at All" is a great vehicle for her beautiful alto.
This session is romantic, exotic, electric and sensitive. It is the perfect accompaniment for a late night cocktail with that special someone. Check it out at the SOTJ store. Simply click on the CD cover.
As many of Mark Winkler's fans know, he is a prolific songwriter as well as a celebrated interpreter of compositions from many musical genres. For The Company I Keep, Mark chose a wide array of artists to collaborate with and the results are among his finest work. Featured artists include such Grammy nominated artists as pianists John Beasley and David Benoit; Grammy award-winning vocalists Steve Tyrell and Cheryl Bentyne and Grammy award-winning bassist/arranger John Clayton. Mark wrote six original songs and covers compositions written by Prince, Donald Fagan, the Gershwins and Leonard Bernstein.
Produced by Barbara Brighton for Café Pacific Records, the 12-track gem opens with Mark and Jackie Ryan duet on Donald Fagen's "Walk Between the Raindrops." The synergy between the two singers is enhanced by the stellar accompaniment from Jamieson Trotter on piano and the tenor sax solo by Bob Sheppard. Cheryl Bentyne of Manhattan Transfer fame joins Mark on "Strollin'" and does a fantastic job harmonizing with him as well as bringing new life to this rarely heard Prince classic. Larry Koonse's guitar playing highlights the melodic interaction of the pair and really brings out their stylings.
"Stolen Moments," is an excellent duet with Claire Martin and features great horn charts as well as bass logic by John Clayton. John Beasley adds his musical vision on "The Sum," as does Bob Sheppard with a great soprano sax solo.
Overall, The Company I Keep meets and exceeds the high standards Mark Winkler set on his previous recordings. It is surely a recording that deserves your attention and several deep listens.
Five-time Grammy Award nominee Christian Sands makes his Mack Avenue Records debut with Reach, a 10-track recording that features some of today's most admired musicians. Produced by Al Pryor and Christian McBride, Reach is a fresh, impressive, straight ahead offering with 8 originals written and arranged by the pianist. Two covers – "Use Me," and "Somewhere Out There" complete the program.
Opening with the dazzling piano trio composition inspired by Chick Corea, "Armando's Song" is a rhythmic masterpiece that features a memorable melody, piano counterpoint and virtuosic performances by the core trio of Christian Sands, Marcus Baylor on drums, and Yasushi Nakamura on upright bass. This song has no style guards and is the epitome of the art and heart of improvisation. Sands' solo would undoubtedly make Corea smile a while.
In addition to his core trio, the album also features Gilad Hekselman on guitar during "Reaching for the Sun" – a cool easy dance tune; "Use Me," where he delivers an awesome solo ; and "Gangstatude" with its gangsta/hip-hop flavored theme. Tenor saxophonist /bass clarinetist Marcus Strickland makes his worth known on such tunes as "Pointing West," a blues-drenched piece that features great tandem playing and soloing; "Freefall," another great song that features exemplary harmonizing and trading as well as Strickland's tonal bass clarinet. Percussionist Cristian Rivera explodes on "Oyeme" a true tour de force and masterful display of percussive excellence.
Christian Sands has been and continues to be influenced by a wide array of musical experiences and as a result of performing with numerous bandleaders such as Christian McBride, Bobby Sanabria and others. In addition to holding both bachelor's and master's degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, Christian proves he is more than a sideman to some of today's hottest jazz stars, but is also a highly skilled bandleader who can compose, arrange, inspire and perform at the highest levels. Check out Reach today. Click on the CD cover to buy Reach.
Luis Muñoz touches on the core of that which is unquantifiable in great music making in this masterwork titled The Dead Man. Luis plays drums, piano and Rhodes, composed, arranged and orchestrated all seven of the songs and continues to reaffirm his place as a music visionary and as one of today's most sensitive, melodic and talented jazz composers. Joined by Jonathan Dane on trumpet and flugelhorn, Brendan Statom on acoustic bass, Daniel Zimmerman on electric acoustic guitar, The Dead Man comes complete with the interplay among his quartet members that expertly describes the process of spontaneous improvisation and his creative processes.
Opening with "Secrecy" the quartet is joined by special guest Ramses Araya. This song features outstanding soloing by trumpeter Jonathan Dane, shining through this truly amazing song. Muñoz has composed the very things about music that are difficult to compose; intuition, expression, perception and of course secrecy. His self-expression continues with "Seveneves" where the song springs to life with his exceptional drumming and the great interpretation of the melody played by electric guitarist Daniel Zimmerman. Dane's particular magic on the trumpet and Ramses Araya's percussive wizardry blows you away!
The band changes mood and tempo with the trio version of "The Sleep of the Innocent." This is a beautiful ballad that is a superior total artistic vision in space and time. Luis' song has been created from a melody, a rhythmic flow, a senses and a structure all played beautifully by electric guitarist Daniel Zimmerman. The powerful, energetic sonics of Dane on trumpet and Norma LaTuchie on flute follows on "Tierranegra." We hear the great sonority of Adam Asarnow's detailed piano comping and soloing that makes this piece feel indivisible.
"The Dead Man" is a masterpiece. The instrumental storytelling is the link between Muñoz's indescribable ability to hear and write memorable music in a highly personal and spontaneous way while keeping it accessible to his listeners. It's the way he expresses his ideas in the solos and tandem performances by Dane on flugelhorn, Asarnow on Fender Rhodes and Tom Buckner on tenor sax and bass clarinet, as well as his own dynamic drumming. The notes, melody, rhythm and chords that fill this song with creative energy, quality, taste, and emotion are unbound.
Although "Savannah" closes the program and leaves you, dear listener, with an unrestrained desire for more of Muñoz's high definition sounds, be assured that throughout this song, you should rejoice in the health of your ear drums because of the musician's inspired performances. Muted trumpeting by Dane makes this song even more memorable as well as the great percussive tempi of Ramses Araya.
Overall, The Dead Man exceeds the standards Muñoz set on his previous recording titled Voz. Not only does it prove that inspiration can strike anywhere but The Dead Man gives us something we can take with us in an inimitable and unforgettable way. Check it out and then buy it here. Simply click on the CD cover.
Inspiration comes in many forms but for Lisa Hilton, it came through her commitment to discover and savor every day moments and from the great American composer Cole Porter. Her most recent solo piano recording titled Day and Night, includes several songs that feature Porter's lush melodies and gentle Latin rhythms as well as several of her originals that bring the beauty in a day from the first glow of sunrise to the dimming sky at sunset. Lisa also remembers the great composers/pianist Horace Silver and Count Basie.
Several of Lisa's originals - "Caffeinated Culture," "Sunrise," "Sunset On The Beach," – achieve her goal of savoring every day moments due to her imaginative techniques and ability to capture and convey the impressions and symbolism inherent in such moments. Her opening notes on "Dark Sky Day," reveal Lisa's virtuosic command of piano theory as a classically-trained pianist who uses harmonic impressionism. She explores the music as art and paints texture and color through various jazz approaches. Among the many great highlights are Porter's "Begin the Beguine," and her originals that convey many of Porter's compositional integrity.
On Day and Night, Lisa Hilton makes moments that matter so check it out at SOTJ then buy DAY AND NIGHT by clicking on the CD cover.
With a solid reputation as a superb mastering engineer with a musician's ear, the next step in Ron Boustead's exciting career was most likely steered by his evolving tastes and growth as an artist with a love of vocal jazz. Unlikely Valentine, Boustead's fourth recording as a leader, encompasses many styles of vocal jazz including Cool, Swing, bebop and Brazilian. The songs are brilliantly expressed and easy to listen to. One stunning feature of Boustead's vocal music is the rich polyphonic textures heard on these 10 songs arranged by Bill Cunliffe and Mitchel Forman who also share duties on piano, Rhodes, Hammond B3 organ and accordion. Another highlight is the resonance of Boustead's voice and the varied tempi given to such standards as "Love Potion No. 9" which is now re-imagined as a 6/8 waltz with a soul-jazz vibe. The fairly obscure tune now designed with Rhodes and flugelhorn updates on "I Love My Wife" and Boustead's approach on "I Won't Scat" in a mixed meter statement, both reveal the musicians' skills and versatility that make these songs worth a second listen.
Joining Ron on Unlikely Valentine are some of Southern California's most prolific and admired musicians. In addition to the musical prowess of Cunliffe and Forman, listeners will appreciate the contributions of John Leftwich on acoustic bass, Jake Reed on drums and percussion, Pat Kelley on acoustic and electric guitars, Bob Sheppard on saxophones and flute, Bob McChesney on trombone, Ron Stout on flugelhorn and guest vocalist Fabiana Passoni who duets with Boustead on "Til Now." Their sensual take on this Brazilian samba has several musical landmarks that remain with you long after the song is over.
Overall, the harmonic language Boustead has composed for the original songs shows that he has achieved his goal of expressing the meaning of individual words and phrasings in the music and that he is aware of their special characteristics as a vocalist. Buy Unlikely Valentine today.
Jazz vocalist Deborah Silver has released her debut album titled The Gold Standards and it's heating up the Billboard charts! Produced by Grammy Award-winner Steve Tyrell and Jon Allen, the recording features arrangements by Alan Broadbent. Special guest duets by Jack Jones on "I've Got A Crush On You," and Ann Hampton Calloway on "The Glory of Love" make this recording extra special.
Deborah Silver has a great vocal range and her new renditions of such Great American Songbook standards as "The Nearness of You" and "Teach Me Tonight," get new life via her inspired interpretations. So check her out and then buy The Gold Standards here. Simply click on the CD cover.
The keyboard mastery of the late, great Clare Fisher is featured on 7 of the 10 new tracks heard on ¡INTENSO! 2016 is the final year for Clare Fisher's music to be eligible for a posthumous Grammy and therefore his son, producer/arranger Brent Fischer has curated an outstanding recording of previously unreleased tracks recorded by his father. Among the stellar guests are Sheila E. on percussion, vocalist Roberta Gambarini, horn greats Carl Saunders, Ron Stout, Alex Budman and several others.
This Latin Jazz Big Band is spellbinding and intense. The virtuosic performances and soloing make this recording a must hear for your listening pleasure because it blends skillful improvisations and musicality. Check it out. Buy ¡INTENSO! here.
Drummer Will Calhoun of the rock group Living Colour pays tribute to a profound influence on his musical life with Celebrating Elvin Jones. The album features Christian McBride on bass, saxophonist Antoine Roney, pianist/keyboardist Carlos McKinney, and trumpeter Keyon Harrold. Also, the keyboardist Jan Hammer, a member of Elvin Jones' trio joins the band for a reprise of "Destiny" and Doudou N'Diaye Rose joins with a group of drummer for "Doll of the Bride."
The songs on the recording span Elvin Jones' career but Calhoun has devised a distinctly individual approach. Among the songs included are "EJ Blues", "Harmonique" and "Mahjong". "Sarmastah" is Calhoun's sole original song on the album and plays a 12-string guitar! Celebrating Elvin Jones is available on Motema Music.
The Grammy nominated multi-talented Bob Baldwin offers his fans and new listeners a double disc recording of 26 songs that he has titled The Brazilian-American Soundtrack. This urban-jazz and Brazilian rhythms exploration of Rio de Janierio and New York features 20 original songs written and performed by Baldwin during recording sessions in Rio, New York and Atlanta, GA over a period of three years! Collected in the two discs titled Movement 1 – Rio-Ipanema and Movement II – New York, we hear several guest artists help to bring Baldwin's musical visions to life.
In the first movement, guest artists Café Da Silva, Ragan Whiteside, Torcuato Mariano and lead vocalist Gigi add their impeccable musical skills to Baldwin's meticulously produced tracks titled "Ipanema Fusion," "Teardrop,""Caipirinha," and "Looking At Me," and to several tracks by some of Brazil's most revered songwriters Including Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Corcovado," Ivan Lins' "Anjo De Mim," "The Island," and "Love Dance, May I Have This Dance," and Djavan's "Eu Te Devoro." Each song is performed to perfection and with such virtuosity that you will revel in Baldwin's dexterity on the keyboards and be amazed and charmed by his vocals.
Overall, the second movement features two songs written especially for the late, great Maurice White of Earth Wind and Fire by Bob Baldwin as well as guest songwriters Alonzo Wright. Marion Meadows is featured on Baldwin's "My Soul" playing a lovely saxophone solo. "Summer Madness," featuring James "Crab" Robinson on vocals and John Lennon's "Yesterday," featuring Freddie V on saxophone deserve special mention.
Overall, Bob Baldwin's magnum opus deserves recognition and certainly several deep listens since it represents the passion and virtuosity of his musical personalities. With 20 songs written especially for The Brazilian-American Soundtrack, you will understand that certain state of mind Bob Baldwin has shared with his fans and new listeners on this great recording. Highly recommended. To buy this CD, please click on the CD cover.
The Grammy and Emmy Award-winning bandleader Gordon Goodwin has trimmed his 18-piece Big Phat Band to an 8-member Little Phat Band which released their debut recording titled An Elusive Man for the Music of Content label. According to Goodwin, the recording "represents another side of his interest in jazz with more emphasis on improvisation and letting the musicians explore things in a way that they can't do in a larger ensemble." The seven musicians joining Goodwin from his Big Phat Band perform 10 songs, 8 of which were written by Goodwin. He also produced and arranged the songs performed by Wayne Bergeron on trumpet, Eric Marienthal on alto and tenor sax, Andy Martin on trombone, Andrew Synowiec on electric and acoustic guitar, Rick Shaw on electric and acoustic bass, Bernie Dresel on drums and Joey De Leon on percussion.
The set swings hard and throughout the band balances serious jazz rhythms and jazz funk jams. Goodwin plays piano and tenor sax and solos with ease on such songs as "An Elusive Man," "Cot In The Act," and "In A Sentimental Mood." Overall, the entire recording presents the compositional integrity of Gordon Goodwin and his ability to lead smaller bands with the same finesse as his Big Phat Band. Check it out. This one should definitely be in your jazz collection. Buy it here. Click on the CD cover.
Innovative, exuberant, and controversial, Thelonius Monk's music in its nearly 70 years of existence, has found both popular appeal and intellectual appreciation for its emotional and musical intensity. His compositions provide the most impressive examples of bop harmonies while supporting catchy themes. As with any great composer, the ability to arrange and perform Monk's compositions at any tempo and time signature came with great ease for John Beasley. The award-winning composer/pianist formed the big band known as MONK'estra as a result of a commission from Los Angeles' Luckman Jazz Orchestra and over the years, stored up a pile of groove-centric arrangements that best suited Monk's compositions.
On their debut recording for Mack Avenue titled MONK'estra, Vol. 1, John Beasley arranged, conducted and produced all songs on the recording in addition to bringing together many of the most revered jazz musicians to play 9 songs from the Thelonius Monk songbook – big band style! He retains much of the bop style that was rooted in the big-band techniques of the swing era – including the walking bass as a harmonic foundation and the repetitive cymbal patterns of swing while supplanting certain aspects of rhythm, harmony and melody. Beasley also left room on his arrangements for the musicians to improvise and the result is a five-star gem that provides thoughtful and comprehensive interpretations of Monk's remarkable music.
Opening with "Epistrophy" the orchestra swings its unforgettable melody as Gary Burton nails his solo on the vibraphone. This angular tune never sounds dated and with the orchestral tinge John Beasley has arranged, this song sounds as contemporary as the present. Great soloing from Bob Sheppard, Brian Swartz, Bijon Watson and Gary Novak make "Skippy" a real thrill alongside controlled riffs and handclaps. Trumpet solos from Gabriel Johnson and Brian Swartz along with a solo from trombonist Francisco Torres rise to the occasion on "Oska."
However, the real gem on the recording is "Round Midnight." Here John Beasley has added subdued harmonies, hip-hop beats and shades of neo-soul sounds that bring this song into focus for a new 21st century listener as well as reminding jazz purists of Monk's compositional integrity and ability to transcend generations.
The recording concludes with the easy-going "Coming on the Hudson," and is the perfect way to relax with your significant other or dance the night away. Beasley's masterful pianism makes this one a real keeper also.
Overall, MONK'estra, Vol. 1 is a masterpiece that uniquely defies conventional interpretations of Monk's music. The recording deftly indicates John Beasley's virtuosity as a re- arranger of the groove-centric, swinging, contemporary harmonies that emanated from Monk's jazz. Check it out. Learn more about John Beasley here.
Sky Begins
Daniel Meron
Sky Begins is Daniel Meron's second album which was recorded with his current band consisting of Maia Karo on vocals, Noam Wiesenberg on bass, Jimmy McBride on drums and himself on piano. Sky Begins featrues 8 of Meron's most recent original compositions which are produced by Meron and Ian Turner. While clearly in the realm of jazz, the music on the album is dynamic and lyrical, traveling through rich harmonies to magical places in time and imagination. The band grooves hard on funky and folkloric rhythms, while shifting between energetic improvisation and intimate interaction.
Vocalist Maia Karo is supreme as are the members of the ensemble. Meron's own lyrical piano prowess is worth the price of the CD alone. Along with his activities as composer, arranger and bandleader, Daniel continues to perform as a sideman in multiple bands such as the Ayal Tsubery band, Rubycon, and Arnan Raz Quintet.
On Callas, tenor saxophonist Ivo Perelman and pianist Matthew Shipp collaborate on this spontaneous duo performance that depicts the improvised free jazz versions of characters portrayed by operatic diva Maria Callas. Each of the improvised arias from operas such as "La Boheme," "The Barber of Seville," "Norma," "Tosca," "Aida," "Turandot " and others, evoke the operatic sensibilities of Perelman's brilliance as well as Shipp's emotional resonance and musical clairvoyance.
The pair discover the various nuances of each aria and develop them further throughout their improvisations. There is a subtle new vocal sound to Perelman's saxophonics as he matches Callas' approach to the low, middle and high registers she so brilliantly sang. The inflections are there, the subtleties, but not the melodies. Shipp's dark, insistent ostinato supports and propels Perelman's flights on the opening track titled "Lucia" the heroine's defiant character from Donizetti's opera "Lucia di Lammermoor." On "Magdelina" Perelman channels a plangent yearning as Shipp's steady, implacable undercurrents reminisce the doomed love of the title character's fate in "Andrea Chenier."
On "Norma" his throaty low notes contrast his brilliant coloratura excursions while on "Mimi" he unveils a tender romantic splendor. Overall, this album is a brilliant emotional breakthrough that comes from a newly discovered understanding and appreciation for some of opera's greatest arias. Perelman and Shipp's own superb musicality and artistry deserve more than one listen. Callas is that great.
Cuentos is Guraudo's second release on ZOHO Music and his sixth as a leader. With fleshed out trombone and trumpet sections and a percussionist in the mix, Giraudo's new Big Band capably delivers 9 great compositions including the beautiful four -movement "Angela Suite." Pedro Giraudo wrote and arranged all of the songs and plays electric and acoustic basses. Following his critically-acclaimed 2011 ZOHO release titled Cordoba, Giraudo has created another masterwork with his daring and immensely rewarding Cuentos. He treats his fans to ravishingly detailed expression of Argentine music forms and themes while standing solidly in the tradition of such North American masters as Duke Ellington, Thad Jones and Gil Evans.
Outstanding musical talents B.J. Ward and Donn Trenner have reunited after 40 years to release their second recording titled Double Feature. The duo recorded this exemplary program improvisationally, capturing voice and piano together with no over-dubbing of vocals. The 12-songs are culled from the annals of film music and Broadway musicals. Rarely heard songs include the haunting and beautiful "Theme From Rosemary's Baby," "Drifting" from Auntie Mame and "Do You Know Why?" from Love Thy Neighbor. Gordon Hunt produced the vocal/piano recording with Lee Lessack as Executive Producer.
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Getting Audio from Youtube Videos
This site allows you to choose from a variety of different download options, including .AVI, .MOV, .MPEG4 and .MP3.
Also, if KeepVid lets you download the video too. you'd have to do some work to get the audio alone, but at least it's saved to your computer!
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29/3/2018 1 Comment
How to get the perfect curls
This blog post has been a highly requested one.... many people are always asking me how I curl my hair and get the perfect loose curl. To answer all those questions I decided to do a blog post on it! Here is how I curl my hair in 5 easy steps.
Step 1: wash & dry your hair
Using your favourite shampoo and conditioner wash your hair. Using the Ghd air hairdryer, dry your hair, ensuring it does not remain damp.
Step 2: Straighten hair
Section your hair and straighten using the Ghd IV Original Hair Straightener.
Step 3: Cooling down
After straightening your hair, leave it for 5-10 min to cool down.
Step 4: Curl
Once again, section your hair. Using the Ghd IV Original Hair Straightener, clamp a small piece of hair and twist the iron around, ensuring you start from the top and twist down. This creates the perfect curl. Once you have let go of the curl, use your finger to twist round the curl once more and further define it. Continue to do this for the rest of your hair.
Step 5: The finishing touch
Set your hair by spaying it with your favourite hairspray. For your curls to last longer, spray it in sections.
Top tips
1. Ensure your hair is completely dry before you begin to straighten it
2. Curl in small sections
3. If the curls are too tight, brush through them with your fingers.
4. Use a hair straighter to curl your hair and not a curling iron for a nice wave.
Comment below if you would like to see a video on how I curl my hair! xx
30/3/2018 09:39:58 pm
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Helping To Make Life Easier For Disabled People In The Boston Area
We meet on six Thursdays a year from 1.30pm to 4pm at
Mayfields, Broadfield Lane, Boston PE218DW
Why not join us and make a positive contribution?
We cover many aspects of living with a disability, from the obvious, for instance blindness or mobility problems, to the hidden, such as cancer, hearing loss and heart problems, to name a few.
We can also guide people to the most appropriate organisations/agencies, according to a person's individual needs.
For more information please contact us on 01205 359032 or email email@example.com
Are you losing your sight?
If so, don't worry – the world is not coming to an end!
Talk to us, we are here to help.
Roger and Molly. 01205 359032 or 07969 203030
Boston Disability Forum
The Forum is a large contributor to making life easier for the disabled residents of Boston. In order to achieve this, they work with the Borough and Count Councils as well as other organisation, both public and commercial. The group meets six times a year to discuss disability issues and plan any work required to resolve such issues. They also invite guest speakers to our meetings.
For further information, please phone 01205 359032 or 07969 203030.


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Brain fog, intention tremor, headaches, spasms, digestion problems, muscle aches, blurred vision, double vision, stiff joints, dizziness, PEM, nausea, sore throat, heart palpitations, light and sound sensitivity…
A normal day in the life of M.E.
These are the symptoms that doctors talk about, but what affect does that actually have on our lives? Want to go for a walk? Hope you're ready to spend a few hours (or days) lying down afterwards. You have a job? Guess you're sacrificing evenings and weekends to staying in bed then. Keen to go catch up with friends for coffee? Get ready for the headache and blurred vision that's about to follow… There are just so many things that were once taken for granted that now require careful planning and consideration. Here are a few of the most daily inconveniences that I have found on my Chronic Illness journey –
1. Showering
THE PROBLEM. Showering daily is an absolute luxury. Yep, I said it. No exaggeration, showering is one of the hardest daily tasks – the problem with the shower is that not only do you have to stand in a small, confined space with a slippery floor and only cold walls to lean on, you also have to deal with temperature. Nothing drains energy faster than consistent heat. Did I mention how physically active showering is? Arms up, arms down, arms up, arms down, arms up… you get the point.
THE SOLUTION. Simple. Don't shower daily. It sounds awful doesn't it? but honestly, if it's a choice between showering and making it to work there are plenty of other ways to keep personal hygiene up with out having to stand in a shower for 10 minutes.
2. Drying hair
THE PROBLEM. Tired arms REALLY do not like being lifted above the shoulders. Actually, scrap that, they don't like being lifted at all. What's worse than lifting them? Holding something in your hands at the same time. What's even worse than that? Actually having to wave it around a bit, oh and the stupid cord that's attached and limits movement. Oh, and you just had that shower that I mentioned above… Okay, I'll admit it. I bring this problem upon myself. My hair is long and incredibly thick – I know cutting it short would make my life much, much easier but there is just absolutely no way I am cutting my hair short.
THE SOLUTION. My partner. I wish I was joking. More often than not my partner will dry my hair for me. I hate that I rely on him for such a simple task but leaving my hair to dry naturally in the winter months can lead to me getting pretty sick. I also only wash my hair once or twice a week to limit the need for drying it.
3. Eating
THE PROBLEM. Not just being able to eat whatever, whenever, but also just the desire to eat. Eating before 9am is totally out of the question (for reference I start work at 7am so that's two solid hours into my work day). WANTING to eat before 10am is rare and don't get me started on the fear of eating certain things because they are the items that sporadically, when they feel like it, but not often enough to actually pinpoint, cause digestion issues.
THE SOLUTION. Perseverance and scheduling. I eat at the same time every day if I can so that it's developed as a habit. That way it doesn't matter if I REALLY don't feel like it one day – habit will lead me to eat anyway. If I'm not hungry I have to try, this mostly relates to breakfast when I need the energy, I tend to think that if I'm not in the mood for dinner it isn't going to matter anyway – I'm only going to sleep after all.
4. Getting up
THE PROBLEM. Dizziness, exhaustion, inability to open eyes, and legs that feel like they've been set in concrete are just a few reasons why getting up can take much longer for someone who is chronically ill. Waking up can be even slower again. Anything involving brain power can feel like a marathon be it as simple as choosing what clothes to wear and working out how to get them on.
THE SOLUTION. Partner to the rescue… AGAIN. I set a lot of alarms, starting a long way before I actually have to open my eyes and I turn lights on well before I need to get up. This helps drag the process out a little and lets me wake up at my own pace. My partner is also absolutely amazing and will often get up and start preparing the things I need so I don't have to.
5. Concentration
THE PROBLEM. This is a reference to brain fog I suppose. If you haven't experienced it… imagine you are in a foreign country where you don't speak the language. No, you're on a foreign PLANET where you don't speak the language and you have absolutely no idea how they live their lives. Five different people are talking to you, quickly, about different things, in that language you don't speak and they're all waiting expectantly for your responses. So you put your slippers on your hands and your keys in the fridge and wish them all a Birthday Happy. That's brain fog.
THE SOLUTION. Notes, notes and more notes. I write EVERYTHING down. I keep a journal by my bed, a notebook in my handbag and a printed out to-do list on my desk at work. Even my phone is full of checklists.
It's easy to take things for granted when they've never been a challenge. They've always been there and in some cases, you don't even realise that you are doing them. When they are taken away from you suddenly it can feel like your world has been ripped out from under you. I've learnt to find humour in my struggles (I think it's one of those things where you laugh or you cry) but until not all that long ago (and even now if you catch me on a particularly hard day) the tears were what prevailed. Everyone copes with this stuff differently but it can be amazing to look back and see what adjustments you've made in your life to help you cope with something (not necessarily illness!) when you once thought you'd never be able to get through. We are humans are much more hardy than we think!
I'd love to hear what some of the things you have had to work around or change in your life that you once took for granted are! Let me know in the comments 🙂
For regular updates follow me on Facebook and Pinterest.


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Posts Tagged 'Dalebod'
Chapter 102
September 20, 2018 by Lyn Thorne-Alder
A Friend and an Enemy can wear the same coat ~ The hall was clear; he was almost there. Saydrie breathed a sigh of relief. He had made it. It had taken some weird turns, and he was going to have to start running sprints to get in shape for …
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Category Book 3: The Broken Bargain, Story | Tags: Dalebod, Saydrie


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£85.00 – £175.00
The delightful Areca Palm is a bushy and attractive palm, but needs constant attention to keep it looking good. In lower light conditions it tends to spread and is less upright. Also known as the butterfly palm, this plant has gorgeous golden canes and vibrant feathered fronds that are very impressive against a white wall. The Areca is a bushy palm and will thrive in a well lit area.
1.5m, 1.8m
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"Sick Days for Healthy Recovery" - OpEd in Philadelphia Business Journal
To read the full story, please visit The Philadelphia Business Journal's website.
Sick days for healthy recovery
Philadelphia Business Journal - by Eileen Appelbaum and Lonnie Golden
The most recent national jobs reports show improvements in the labor market, but the employment gains and the falling unemployment rate are still largely the result of a decline in layoffs and firings of workers.
Hiring remains weak as the latest government report on job openings and labor turnover shows. In a job market still facing challenges, reducing the number of workers who are laid off or fired is essential to building a healthier labor market, strengthening the recovery and spreading its benefits. Mandating paid sick days is one policy that will help employers keep workers in jobs.


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Report comes as Carles Puigdemont's lawyer speaks out on the trial
Catalan Trial
Former Catalan president visits Neumünster prison one year after 12-day detention
Alfred Bosch says Can Dündar is very "unhappy" after not being able to enter Spanish court and observe independence trial
Former Catalan president to give a press conference in front of Neumünster prison on Monday
In his new book, the Catalan leader proposes a referendum in all of Spain, regrets the EU's "silence" and claims his life is "in danger"
Puigdemont's lawyer in Germany celebrates withdrawal of European Arrests Warrants and urges Spain to take a "reasonable approach" and drop the whole case


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Doesn't every artist wear a beret and draw on the wall??
I still cannot believe how fast time has passed, moreover that I am graduating…woohoo!
The MFA thesis show will be on exhibit in the Thomas Welton Gallery (Stanford- University) until June 14, 2015. If you cannot make it to the show, you can find installation pictures below. Also a blurb on the exhibit can be found here: Stanford Arts Review!
Amazingly, in the mind's eye an assortment of disjointed lines and values can be perceived as a person's body. In "Figures in Ground (Chroma Series)" body parts disappear on the plane more than they appear on the canvas. I agree with the Dutch artist Rineke Dijkstra when she stated, "If you show too much of a subject's personal life, the viewer will immediately make assumptions. If you leave out details the viewer has to look for subtle hints."
Living within a world filled with superfluous information distorts perceptions and limits one's ability to truly focus on any one thing. To discourage this experience, I painted a life size figure on an empty background to direct one's focus to the body and its relationship to the space around it. Certainly, there are many things in life that cannot be described. In turn, the white area of the canvas provides nothing but the bare space to contemplate the unknown and the unknowable.


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watch 02:17
The Loop (Games)
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Roger Merriman was the captain of the Herakles and one of the Dominion Renegades who sided with Valerian Mengsk during the Flashpoint Conflict.[1]
After Valerian and his Dominion Renegades escaped Char, Merriman found that his ship had been far too damaged to continue warping with the rest of the fleet. He was evacuated with the rest of his crew to the Hyperion, and contacted Emperor Arcturus Mengsk from Valerian's personal suite, telling the Emperor he was going to ram his ship, White Star, on a suicide run in an attempt to slow him. The ruse was successful, and an adjutant guided the collision, buying time for the renegades to further warp away.[1]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Golden, Christie (November 6, 2012). StarCraft II: Flashpoint. Simon & Schuster (Gallery Books). ISBN 978-1451-65962-7.
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Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio
2175 Mentor Ave, Painesville, 44077, 440-867-2716
Business Services
Located in Mayfield Heights, OH, Goodwill Industries offers great deals and social services.
LPS Construction
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Construction - Special Trade Contractors
LPS Construction is a general contractor that has been proudly serving Painesville and the surrounding areas for over 20 years. We specialize in residential and commercial construction and remodeling - bathroom and kitchen remodels, major renovations, carpentry, installation and repair of both decks and porches, basement remodels, garages, commercial build-outs, painting, drywall, flooring, tiles and more. Our team is committed to providing professional, affordable and efficient services for any of your needs. No job is too big or too small, so contact us today to get started! Residential remodeling, commercial remodeling, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, basement remodeling, home r
Lake County Bldg & Grounds
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County Government-General Offices
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