Notable recordings of 2012 - Part 1

The first of several days recapping some of the finer jazz and blues releases that came out recently. Today I focus on recordings I reviewed in the first half of 2012.

New Jazz Recordings

Bass clarinet specialist Jacob Stein had a marvelous Delmark release, The Story This Time. "Stein has put together a fine band for the musical explorations heard on this very absorbing recording." 

Catherine Russell had another album of musical treats with her latest album, Strictly Romancin’ (World Village). It is the vein of her well received Sentimental Streak and Inside This Heart Of Mine, with a similar program of mostly long forgotten blues, ballads, love songs and swing from the twenties to today.

The Planet D Nonet, a group of musicians from the Motor City who perform a range of music issued a terrific double CD, We Travel The Spaceways: The Music Of Sun Ra (East Lawn Records).

The Rick Germanson Quartet had one of several excellent Live at Smalls recordings on the clubs Smalls Live label. Pianist Germanson was joined that night by the trumpet of Dr. Eddie Henderson, the bass of Paul Gill and the drums of Lewis Nash for some sterling hard bop. 

Saxophonist Paul Carr, who produces the annual Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival in Maryland each February, had a terrific recording, Standard Definition (PCJ Music), on which he was joined by  Terell Stafford (trumpet), Joey Calderazzo (piano), Mike Bowie (bass) and Lewis Nash (drums). It was selected by Capital Bop as among the best 2012 jazz recordings by DC area artists.

Saxophonist and composer Dan Blake has a new release on BJU (Brooklyn Jazz Underground) Records, The Aquarian Suite, where he leads a piano-less quartet with Jason Palmer on trumpet, Jorge Roeder on bass and Richie Barshay on drums. "The mix of Blake’s stimulating writing with the high level of the performances, both in terms of the intelligent and spirited solos, and high level of the ensemble playing result in this excellent release."

Evan Christopher had a new release in his Clarinet’s Road series, In Sidney’s Footsteps(STR Digital Records). As indicated by the title, the music of Sidney Bechet is inspiration for the music here, although not all the performances are of songs recorded by Bechet. "There is a presence to his clarinet and the performances on this wonderfully recorded album that continues to delight after repeated listening. In Sidney’s Footsteps may be Evan Christopher’s most exceptional recording yet. Given the high level of his prior albums, that is saying something."

Harmonica wizard Gregoire Maret had an eponymously titled debut recording for Entertainment One. Maret’s playing is delightful and captivating. This is music that should have a wide appeal given the wonderful playing as well as the lyricism evident throughout this. Wonderfully recorded, Grégoire Maret’s self-titled debut should bring him well-deserved recognition.

Another release by the SmallsLive label in its Live at Smalls series of recordings was by the trio of tenor saxophonist Ralph Lalama, Bopjuice. This excellent location recording evoked the classic Sonny Rollins Live at the Village Vanguard.

New Blues

About Heritage Blues Orchestra, And Still I Rise (Raisin’ Music) I wrote "The foundation of the Heritage Blues Orchestra are the voices of Junior Mack, Bill Sims, Jr., and Chaney Sims who bring such a range of moods and emotions in the marvelous vocals here. This trio could do a recording without instrumental accompaniment and be as compelling as they are here. And I Shall Rise is an compelling, contemporary exploration of African-American musical roots.

Mark Hummel’s Blues and Lonesome: Tribute to Little Walter (Rockinitus Records) is an excellent compilation from recordings he has made over the years in homage to Little Walter.

Michael Roach and I had an association with the DC Blues Society two decades ago, and I had been following his maturation as a performer over the years after he left his native Washington and moved to England. He has also become important as a blues educator and historian. Innocent Child is his most recording on his Stella Records label. The varied repertoire here is matched by Michael’s natural, heartfelt vocals and adroit and thoughtful guitar. The result is the marvelous music on Innocent Child. 

Fifty years after Big Bill Broonzy’s passing, Billy Boy Arnold recorded a tribute album, Sings Big Bill Broonzy on Electro-Fi.  "This recording was heralded in Bob Riesman’s Broonzy biography, and its release has met the expectations for it. Today, one might find it hard to appreciate how significant Big Bill was in the history of the blues. Along with Riesman’s book, this tribute recording addresses that in a fine and spirited manner."

Guy Davis issued a memorialization of his one-man show, The Adventures of Fishy Waters: In Bed With the Blues, on his Smokeydoke Records with assistance from Bob Porter which enables those who haven’t had the pleasure of seeing Davis perform this show to enjoy it. The music and stories are about 91 minutes and therefore spread over two CDs.

Quintus McCormick, Delmark release Still Called The Blues. Delmark's Steve Wagner recalled his reaction when he first heard Quintus McCormick when recording his 1st Delmark album, Hey Jodie. “Wow this cat could be the next Johnnie Taylor!” I might suggest a bit of Tyrone Davis and Artie ‘Blues Boy’ White as well after hearing McCormick’s new Delmark release Still Called The Blues. This will appeal to a very wide grouping of blues lovers and is proof that Quintus McCormick is among today’s finest blues and soul performers.

Nathan James had an excellent Delta Groove CD, What You Make Of It, with his touring band, The Rhythm Scratchers. " I was not familiar with Nathan James’ music prior toWhat You Make Of It, but I was impressed to already acquire one of his prior recordings. There is some seriously good, original blues by Nathan James and The Rhythm Scratchers here."

Reissues or Newly issued Vintage Jazz and Blues Recordings

Dr. Robert E. Sunnenblick produced for his Uptown label a Dexter Gordon live album, Night Ballads Montreal 1977. Gordon was with his band of Eddie Gladden on drums, Rufus Reid on bass and George Cables on piano. This CD has over 70 minutes of ballads which might  be a bit much for some in one sitting. Still the terrific music makes this a highly recommended addition to the body of Long Tall Dexter's recordings. 

Reissue Universal released on its Hip-O-Select label, the four-CD Heart & Soul: A Retrospective, that in its four CDs surveys Etta James recordings from her debut as The Wallflower doingRoll With Me Henry, for Modern Records to the previously unissued 2007 recording of Rodney Crowell’s Ashes By Now. This was issued prior to her passing.

Tom Hoskins recorded and interviewed Hurt at the time of his location of Mississippi John Hurt on March 3, 1963. These recordings, the first since Hurt recorded in the 1920s, were issued on a fascinating new release on Spring Fed Records, Discovery: The Rebirth of Mississippi John Hurt. Wonderfully remastered, the CD has 19 tracks including a previously unissued and lengthy interview where Hurt and his wife talks about his early life and recordings, and life after those recordings.

Barbecue Any Old Time: Blues From The Pit 1927-1942 (Old Hat Records) is a relatively recent compilation of vintage jazz and blues recordings that celebrate barbecue, the distinctly southern American form of cuisine, usually slow--cooked over a pit. "This mix of lively downhome blues and rollicking early jazz and vocal harmony recordings is a definite musical feast well digesting like the delicious culinary tradition the songs salute. WIth the excellent annotation and engineering of the source material, this is an excellent collection."

Ruf Records issued a double CD set by Omar and the Howlers, Essential Collection. This is a career and label spanning compilation that covers the two or so decades of the recording career of Omar Dykes. I noted that nothing on this was less than first-rate.

Among the better reissues celebrating 40 years of CTI was the CTI Masterworks release of Stanley Turrentine’s Don’t Mess With Mister T. The addition of bonus tracks make this even stronger a reissue than a simple reissue of the original album would have been.

An excellent compilation of modern West Coast Uptown Blues is the English Ace collection of Al King and Arthur K Adams, Together: The Complete Kent and Modern Recordings. I wrote that this "is an important reissue of two powerful, if neglected blues artists (although thankfully Adams is still with us and continuing to make strong, original music)."

It is odd to hear Herman ‘Little Junior’ Parker referred to as a fairly obscure figure in the history of African-American music as Dave Penny does in the liner notes of the excellent two-disc, Fantastic Voyage public-domain reissue, Ride With Me, Baby: The Singles 1952-1961.  This is a very welcome, overdue, and highly recommended, reissue of Parker’s singles from the first decade of his recording career. 

Some Choices For JazzFest's Second Weekend

Esperanza Spalding

I am not attending JazzFest this year, having opted for the French Quarter Festival. However looking at the schedule on nojazzfest.com, I have made some suggestions of acts that I recommend for the second weekend. I generally stay away from major label, national touring acts in this list.

Little Freddie King

On Thursday May 3, some blues worth catching in the Blues Tent include Kipori ‘Baby Wolf’ Wood; J’Monique’d and Little Freddie King. James Cotton closes the Blues Tent that day. I saw Mia Borders for the first time at the French Quarter Fest and was quite impressed that I bought a CD by her. She is on the Gentilly Stage where she will be followed by legendary bassist George Porter, Jr. & the Runnin’ Pardners. The Congo Square Stage has The Stooges Brass Band followed by Henry Butler. Grammy® Award winner Esperanza Spalding:Radio Music Society closes that stage. On the Fais Do Do Stage one can here the Savoy Family Cajun Band, and Rosie Ledet are featured along with Ani DeFranco. The WWOZ Jazz tent features the marvelous Dutch pianist-composer Amina Figarova Septet along with Regina Carter while the Economy Hall Tent has the vivacious Banu Gibson and trumpeter Kid Chocolate. The iconic and influential Dirty Dozen Brass Band perform on the Acura Stage.

Germaine Bazzle

Some suggestions for Friday May 4 in the Blues Tent include a couple of Bourbon Street favorites, Bryan Lee and Big Al Carson. Others in the tent this day include Reggie Hall, Wanda Rouzan and Deacon John. I saw the latter two at the French Quarter Festival and loved Wanda’s survey of New Orleans music while Deacon John did not get into his blues thing till his set was nearly over. Be curious if he displays more of a blues focus in the tent. On the Gentilly Stage one can see local favoriteTheresa Andersson as well as the Mexican duo Rodrigo y Gabriela et C.U.B.A.. New Orleans vocalists Phillip Manuel and Germaine Bazzle along with Terri Carrington Lynne’s Mosaic are in the WWOZ Jazz Tent, while in Economy Hall Tent the reliable Connie Jones opens things up. Closing this stage will be Wycliffe Gordon Quintet’s "Hello Pops: A Tribute to Louis Armstrong." A younger, traditionally oriented cajun band, Feufollet, Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band and Lil Nathan & the Zydeco BigTimers will have the folks at the Fais Do Do Stage dancing. The legendary Mavis Staples is in the Gospel Tent.

John Boutté

Saturday May 5 suggestions start with Guitar Slim, Jr; Mac Arnold; and the Joe Krown, Wolfman Washington & Russell Batiste Trio in the Blues Tent. Incidentally Dr. John will guest with the Warren Haynes Band to close this stage this day. Allen Toussaint and Irma Thomas are on the Acura Stage while Big Sam’s Funky Nation is on the Congo Square Stage. One of my favorite singers anywhere is John Boutté, and this is the day of his appearance in the WWOZ Jazz tent which will close with the genius of Herbie Hancock. Young Tuxedo Jazz Band; the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Louis Jones will be in the Economy Hall Tent while the great lineup at the Fais Do Do Stage includes cajun veteran Belton Richard; Jeffrey Broussard & the Creole Cowboys and Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers. On the Jazz and Heritage Stage on can see the Original Pin Stripe Brass Band along with the New Birth Brass Band. Aaron Neville does his annual gospel performance in Gospel Tent.

Keith Frank

On the closing day, Sunday May 6, Kermit Ruffins and the Funky Meters are on the Gentilly Stage on which the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (likely with special guests) replace the disbanded Radiators to close the festival on this stage. Mem Shannon and Rebirth Brass band are on the Congo Square Stage while Orange Kellin and George French are in Economy Hall Tent which closes with Ruby Wilson’s tribute to Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey. In the WWOZ Jazz tent, there will be a Living Tribute to Harold Battiste as Jazz ambassador (and legendary A&R man and teacher). Harold Battiste gets a heartfelt “thank you” from New Orleans jazz greats Jesse McBride, Ellis Marsalis and Germaine Bazzle. David Sanborn appears with organist Joey DeFrancesco. On the Fais Do Do Stage will be the Red Stick Ramblers, and Keith Frank. Asleep At The Wheel also is on this stage. On the Jazz and Heritage Stage will have Los Hombres Calientes feat. Bill Summers and Irvin Mayfield along with a performance by Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias. In the Gospel tent will be the Boutté Family Sunday Praise with John, Lillian, Tricia, Lorna, Tanya, and Arséne. Tom McDermott and Friends will be on the Lagniappe Stage followed by Ed Volker, formerly of The Radiators. The main Acura Stage closes out, as is traditional, with The Neville Brothers.

There are my suggestions of musical performances that will undoubtedly include some performers outside of what you might normally see. I should mention, there are also fascinating interview-oral histories taking place throughout on the Allison Miner Stage. For those lucky enough to be there, I hope hope the weather cooperates and that you have a culinary as well well as musical feast at JazzFest


All photos copyright by Ron Weinstock

Amina Figarova

Rodrigo Y Gabriela and C.U.B.A. Take Us To Area 52

Until listening to Area 52 by Rodrigo Y Gabriela and C.U.B.A. (ATO Records) I was not familiar with the acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo Y Gabriela. Listening to this disc I discovered that they initially were playing in a thrash metal band in their native Mexico. Going to Europe, they busked as an acoustic guitar duo, rooted in flamenco style and playing a wide range of material that included covers of metal and Led Zeppelin, although I must admit I have not heard their prior recordings.

This album, produced by Peter Asher, has them with by jazz pianist Alan Wilson who had a decade ago given them a jazz salsa recording with latin rhythms. Along with Wilson, they engaged some Cuban musicians to lend their rhythmic feel to this project. These musicians are the Cuba Universal Band Association from which C.U.B.A. derives. Prominent among these musicians Feliciano Arango Noa on bass and the percussion of Otto Santana Selis,

The intent was to redo songs from their two prior recordings However, after recording in Cuba, they felt they could add more guitars and also added some rock flavor to get away from a strictly traditional Cuban, and Latin sound. They also brought in some guest collaborators for this purpose as well which had pre-production and production in several countries. It is this fabulous mix of material, artists and performances that immediately captured my attention and led to my enthusiasm about the many pleasures to be heard here.

Cuban rhythms greet the duos opening guitar figures for San Domingo, with Wilson’s piano helping establish the mood as the horns and strings add to the heat while its one of the tracks that Gabriela experiments with a way way pedal. Samuel Formell Alfonso, of the great band, Los Van Van, is guest drummer on this exhilarating ride. Hanuman was a composition inspired by Carlos Santana and on these reworking Rodrigo added some electric guitar to his flamenco playing on a number that certainly evokes the great guitarist set against some horns and violin in the arrangement with some interesting flute from Jorge Liliebre Sorzano. The drumming of John Tempesta (of White Zombie fame) adds to the rock flavor over the hot afro-Cuban grooves.

An undeniable factor to the duo’s success is there unique mix of various traditions and style. On Ixtapa, after Wilson’s sedate opening followed by the acoustic guitar lead to state the theme , followed by a brief segment featuring percussion before a new movement joined by Anoushka Shankar on sitar who takes an extended, intensive solo followed by the vibrant flamenco styled guitars of the leaders on a mesmerizing performance. Carles Benavent guests on bass (with Noa on second bass) and Carlota Teresa Polledo Noriega guests on vocal for 11:11, with its mercurial tempo and more exquisite playing from the two (including a solo by Rodrigo on a Fender lap steel guitar) driven along by the brilliant rhythm section. Noriega takes her vocal during the closing moments with C.U.B.A. chanting in chorus as the performance fades. Other highlights include Master Maqui, on which the Le Trio Joubran add ouds to the mix of percussion and horn and Diablo Rojo, with the fiery rhythms and stunning flamenco accents of the guitars of Rodrigo & Gabriela as the horns add their brassy counterpoint.

In addition to the nine performances on the CD, this comes with a DVD containing a fascinating documentary discussing the recording of this album. This recording has been a revelation and this writer has already ordered one of their earlier recordings being impressed by this recording. Also, Rodrigo Y Gabriela will be touring North America this spring (http://www.rodgab.com/tourdates.html) including dates at Massey Hall in Toronto, Radio City Music Hall in NYC, Warner Theatre in Washington DC and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. If I was going to be at JazzFest this year, they would be my must see act no matter what act (and it would not matter if it was Trombone Shorty or Bruce Springsteen) might be on at the same time.

My review copy was provided by a publicist for the release. Here is a video of the two performing.