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MUSIC NEWS & NOTES
The
FALL 2019 RECORD LABEL SPOTLIGHT
POP
& ROCK
AZURETONE RECORDS – There’s every reason to get the
blues after hearing Pay The Price, the 2019 CD
by Ray Fuller And The Bluesrockers. The 14-track CD features
mostly original tracks from Ray, who adds in some spellbinding blues-rock
riffs on his electric guitar. Also appearing on the CD are Tutu
Jumper (drums), Doc Malone (harmonica) and Manny Manuel
(bass). Tracks covered include classics by Chuck Berry, John Lee
Hooker, Hank Ballard, John Lee Hooker and more. On the scene since
starting his band way back in 1974, Ray Fuller is hardly a newcomer
to the American blues-rock scene, having opened shows for legends
like Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy and more. You can
really hear the depth of experience on all the memorable, powerhouse
tracks on Pay The Price. Blues-rock fans will gladly ‘pay
the price’ and then enjoy the blues-rock sounds on this modern
day classic from Ray Fuller And The Bluesrockers. www.rayfuller.com
BIG
BOO RECORDS – Recently renowned for working with David Bowie
on demos that would turn out to be songs on the late great rocker’s
final album Blackstar, multi-instrumentalist Jack Spann
moves ahead on his third solo album 2019’s Propaganda
Man. There’s plenty of soulful pop, country-rock
and good old straight-ahead rock on Jack’s latest to make it
of interest to music fans. Two years in the making, the album focuses
on addressing what Jack calls “thorny social conundrums”,
notably on the 7+ minute and lyrically topical “Marry The Flag
With The Cross”. “Shut The Door” is the best song Harry
Nilsson never wrote, while “Good Night Lullaby” is a majestic,
Bowie-esque instrumental track to end the album. Recorded at Jack’s
Tree House studios in Upstate New York, the 12-track album features
several musicians including Cecil Robbington (drums) and Gary
Tanin, who adds in additional keyboards and his co-production
skills. As usual, Jack excels as vocalist, keyboardist and guitarist,
which tastefully drapes his memorable tracks. Throughout the album,
there are plenty of multi-tracked vocals and interesting studio effects,
which adds more fuel to the album fire. Repeated listens reveals just
how masterful Jack is as a recording artist. For those keeping track,
the CD is tastefully, if sparsely packaged, while the lyrics for Propaganda
Man are featured on Jack’s web site. www.jackspann.com
EARWIG
MUSIC COMPANY – There’s plenty of smokin’ blues
action on the 2017 CD by Les Copeland. Still making the rounds
among American blues fans, the 18-cut One More Foot In The Quicksand
starts off slowly but picks up steam and moves from acoustic
blues to a more rock based sound. Several covers evoke the spirits
of blues legends Big Bill Broonzy, Sleepy John Estes, Albert King,
Freddie King and Ray Charles. Les plays a mean guitar, both acoustic,
electric and slide guitars throughout the album, which also features
key contributions from Cameron Ward (electric bass), Scott
Grant (drums) with harmonica on a track by Michael Frank.
As cool as the song covers are, Les also redeems himself as a fine
songwriter as well. Regarding the entertaining groove of One More
Foot In The Quicksand, Les Copeland brings a lot to 21st century
blues-rock. www.lescopeland.com
ANNA
EINARSSON MUSIC – Sweden has a great reputation for eclectic
music that often creates new genres by merging other musical directions.
A good example of modern, eclectic music is Life In Pieces,
the 2019 CD by artist / composer Anna Einarsson. Credited to
her band Anna Einarsson Ensemble, the eleven track album features
an all original mix of vocal music by Anna, all sung in English, who
gets support from her band mates Anne Niepold (accordion),
Stefan Wingefors (piano) and Svante Söderqvist (double
bass). The music is acoustic in nature and Anna’s vocals are
haunting and captivating. There’s no lyric sheet but calling
the music on Life In Pieces atmospheric would be an understatement.
More neoclassical and avant-garde, especially compared with pop and
jazz, there are nevertheless plenty of musical signposts throughout
the album. On some tracks, the accordion sound and pounding piano
reminds one of the musical existentialism of the late great Swedish
composer Lars Hollmer, especially on track six, “Come Play With
Me”, a track which features Anna’s excellent, wordless scat
vocals and a driving acoustic piano sound that is very reminiscent
of the late Hollmer. There’s plenty of musical intrigue and beguiling
sonic bliss on Anna Einarsson’s Life In Pieces. www.annaeinarsson.com
GREEN
FLASH MUSIC – The
colorful and exciting sound of Brazilian music seems to be a perennial
favorite not only with jazzers but also World Music fans into sublime,
guitar-centric music. A good example of the elegance and music magic
of contemporary 21st century Brazilian music is Sorte!,
a short but sweet, six-track, 29 minute CD featuring music by
John Finbury and lyrics and vocals of singer Thalma De Freitas.
Well known in her native Brazil as an actress and vocalist, Ms. Freitas
is a natural in the style of 1960's favorite Astrud Gilberto—the
great voice on many of Jobim’s classic early tracks. Writing
and performing for over 40 years,
John Finbury is a gifted American keyboardist and composer, that is
said to have shocked the Latin music scene with his 2016 album Imáginario.
As
he tells mwe3.com "The reason I may have "shocked"
the Latin music community, or rather "emerge from obscurity"
is because my song "A Chama Verde” from my album Imaginário
was nominated in 2016 for a Latin Grammy for “Song Of the Year.”
From the following interview, reflecting on the unique World Beat
approach on his three recent albums, John tells mwe3.com, "I
think my compositional style is consistently ‘me’ in all
three records. I like lush chords, key indeterminacy, chord substitutions,
uneven bar lengths, time and key changes, vamps, and of course, moody
ballads. I know that I am on the right track with my compositions
when the mood is strong." Speaking about the notion of an
American from Boston writing music in the Brazilian Bossa Nova music
domain, John also explains, "American composers have been
working in Brazilian genres for a long time. Burt Bacharach certainly
knew how to adapt Brazilian music in his songs. I tend to listen to
my own chestnuts and explore new music by listening to the work of
the musicians with whom I am working." A fine band backs
up John's music and Thalma's vocals on Sorte! including guitarist
Chico Pinheiro, bass ace John Patitucci and the legendary
Brazilian percussionist Airto Moreira. Lyrics in both English
and Brazilian accompany the red-hot looking CD packaging. Recorded
in NYC and produced by Emilio D. Miler, Sorte! is one
of the most intriguing Brazilian World Beat albums of 2019. www.greenflashmusic.com
JAMOT
MUSIC – A highly entertaining album of soulful R&B and
Chicago-style blues, A Dose Of The Blues is the 2019
CD by vocalist, trombonist and singer Big James. There are
several cover songs on the eleven-track release with the majority
of songs concentrating on a range of Big James originals. With James,
who goes by the name oneSELF in the credits, as a star vocal attraction,
A Dose Of The Blues also features the blazing electric guitar
solos of Mike “Money” Wheeler, along with Brian
Lupo (rhythm guitars), Roosevelt “Mad Hatter”
Purifoy (keys), a pair of drummers and a hot horn section with
James handling the vocals and trombone solos. The classic R&B
sound of the 1960s is in evidence as is a more up-to-date Chicago
blues sound that will simply amaze fans of the genre. Influenced by
classic R&B soul singers like Otis Redding, Arthur Conley, Sam
& Dave and James Brown, to name just a few, tracks here like “Giving
Me The Blues” and “Can't Get Enough Of Your Love”,
with its pure STAX meets Motown sounds like something you might have
heard on the AM radio in 1966. Asked about his influences, James says,
"James Brown definitely! I'm more influenced by OV Wright,
Little Milton & Tyrone Davis!" An album to play and replay,
A Dose Of The Blues carries the classic R&B sound alive
and well into the future. www.oneselfmusic.com
MCI
RECORDS – L.A. based Sayed Sabrina released Thou
Art That in 2019 and the results are a hard-hitting album
of rock solid music. A mix of blues, rock, funk, soul and alternative
rock with a jazzy overtone, the 12-track CD is a perfect showcase
for Sabrina’s hearty blues-tinged vocals, songs and piano work.
Backing up her vocals and songs are some great players including veteran
studio musicians, guitarists, bass players, drummers, string players
and horn players. The CD is superbly packaged with eye-popping color
pics and complete lyrics. Sabrina grew up in L.A. and was part of
the punk rock scene, as well having done gigs on the same bill as
B.B. King, Dr. John and Leon Russell. Drawing on her wide-ranging
background Thou Art That is very much rooted in blues, soul,
funk and rock music. Describing her diverse influences Sabrina says,
“I’m more like a singer that knows what it’s like
to have the blues. I like emotionally driven music.” With
the release of Thou Art That, Sabrina Sayed is clearly a fine
singer singer-songwriter to sit up and take notice of. www.sayedsabrina.com
MOON
LETTERS MUSIC – Based in the Pacific Northwest state of Washington,
Moon Letters is a relatively new, five-piece progressive rock
band that released its debut album in 2019. Featuring the vocals of
Michael Trew, the ten-track, 51 minute CD starts off with a
very cool instrumental track, although the album moves away from the
instro genre to a more traditional, vocal-based prog sound fueled
by Trew’s elegant vocals and a band that simply sizzles in a
studio setting. Inspired by the style of Genesis front man Peter Gabriel,
Michael Trew also adds in his flute sound. There are plenty of unique
melodic ideas, and they quickly incorporate that with a dynamic studio
performance and intense band interplay. What is interesting is that
nearly 50 years after YES, Tull and Genesis set the world on fire
with their first generation prog sound, bands like Moon Letters are
reintroducing the sound to a whole new audience of young ears that
weren’t even born yet. One can hardly wait for this gifted band
to further mature and strike out in some completely new original directions
that will ultimately help them establish their own sound and vision,
but till that time, Moon Letters is surely a band worth hearing. www.moonletters.com
PALO
SANTO RECORDS – Based out of Leicester, England, Diesel
Park West has released a number of fine rock albums since their
1990 debut and, with the 2019 CD release of Let It Melt they
have released their finest album yet. There are plenty of influences
such as Mott The Hoople style mid 1970s glam rock, Stones-like power
blues and even guitar-crunching tracks that would appeal to ZZ Top
fans. Three of the early members are still on board here, including
John Butler (vocals), Rich Barton (guitars, vocals)
and Geoff Beavan (bass) and on Let It Melt, they’re
joined by Rob Morris (drums), who actually joined DPW fifteen
years ago. A gifted singer in the spirit of Mick Jagger, John Butler
kicks up quite a fuss and the tracks here are perfect vehicles that
really hold your interest. Singer John Butler adds, “This
album is simply made up of new songs that we like to play and more
to the point, that we like to listen to.” The drive and swagger
of Diesel Park West truly comes to a very impressive center on Let
It Melt. Somewhere between Let It Bleed and Let It Be?
You be the judge and in between enjoy the tuneful power rock in
play on Let It Melt. www.dieselparkwest.com
PLOWBOY
RECORDS – NYC back in the late 1970s was a pretty heady place.
Clubs like CBGB’s were hoppin’ and poppin’ to the sounds
of the punk-rock invasion of the post-Beatles decade and guitar ace
Richard Lloyd was right in the middle of things, lending his
ace fret-board skills to the band Television as well as playing and
recording with numerous rockers and bands, including Matthew Sweet
and John Doe. On his 2018 solo album The Countdown,
Richard proves he’s lost none of his rock and roll guitar
sound and swagger. With ten-tracks clocking in at just over 39 minutes,
The Countdown is a back-to-the-basics, rock & roll winner
packed with a solid musical punch, filled with lots of hooks and Richard’s
solid guitar work. Backing up Richard in the studio are esteemed Nashville
session men including Dave Roe (bass), Steve Ebe (drums)
and Joe Bidewell—the latter playing with Richard as far
back as 1980. The front and back cover art features Richard’s
own paintings. Richard Lloyd’s long-awaited comeback album, The
Countdown is an entertaining, no-frills delight that skillfully
mixes elements of guitar-centric garage-rock, soulful pop and electrifying
power pop hooks. For a good indication of where he’s coming from
on The Countdown, check out the scintillating power-punk rock
sound of the blazing, CD-closing, title track. Fans of Richard Lloyd’s
early works with Television and beyond will flip for his latest rock
tour-de-force. www.richardlloyd.com
POTTER’S
DAUGHTER MUSIC – Jon Anderson of YES has said some nice things
about the band known as Potter’s Daughter and for the
most part, they’re spot on. Featuring the music of singer-songwriter
and keyboardist Dyanne Potter Voegtlin, the 12-track CD mixes
a sublime blend of instrumental jazz-fusion and New Age flavored pop
featuring Dyanne’s vocals. Her piano keyboard work is excellent
and she receives solid backing from some top players such as Amit
Chatterjee (guitars, synths, percussion), Lincoln Goines (bass),
Randy Crafton (drums) and Ian C. Voegtlin (rhythm guitar).
With such a hot band on the album, you soon discern these songs are
in good hands. Mixing her background as both a classical pianist and
a pop singer-songwriter, The Blind Side is filled with
expressive vocal and instrumental music that will clearly have wide
crossover appeal among rock and fusion listeners. Potter’s Daughter
takes a variety of musical forms into some intriguing new directions
on The Blind Side. www.pottersdaughterband.com
ROUND
SKY MUSIC – The multi-talented Paul Avgerinos made
waves in the music world with his Grammy win for his 2016 Grace
album and in 2019 he’s back with another brilliant, yet totally
different album. On the 2019 CD release of Devotion Paul
dives deeply in the realm of time-honored Sanskrit mantras. Thanks
to The Beatles, many music fans know the power of Indian music and
Paul’s Devotion album is the perfect introduction to ancient
mantras praising deities such as Lord Ganesha, Hanuman, Krisha and
Shiva. Paul puts the chants into rock and even dance music mode and
he gets amazing backup from Yoga all-stars Krishna Das, Donna
De Lory, Jai Uttal, Wah!, Aureliaslight,
Emma Kiara and others. The CD booklet is colorful and filled
with unique insights into these mantras, many of which go back thousands
of years. Not only does Paul produce and engineer the ten-track, 63-minute
album, but he also supplies his lead and background vocals as well
as his guitars, bass, keys, drums and programming to the mix. The
vocals from the above mentioned artists gives the album a heavenly
shine. Paul describes Devotion as a “Joyful, energetic
and spiritual album that will make you want to dance!” It’s
not meditative New Age in the classic sense, yet perhaps these mantras,
done with much love and care on this alblum, were in fact the original
New Age music. Devotion is yet another pleasant musical surprise
the multi-talented Paul Avgerinos. www.roundskymusic.com
TARPAN
RECORDS – Jazz vocal music rarely gets better than singer
Jennifer Saran. The Hong Kong based singer songwriter turned
heads around with her 2017 album Wake Up and she returns in
2019 with a short but sweet five-track CD EP called Smoky Nights.
Smoky Nights features the production of Narada Michael Walden,
who also co-wrote the music here while also adding his drumming and
keyboard skills. Like her previous albums, the sound is on Smoky
Nights is on timeless jazz-pop and the results are quite arresting.
Inspired by legendary jazz vocalists like Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra
and Tony Bennett, the music and album sound here is greatly enhanced
by Narada’s sumptuous production as well as key contributions
from a range of musicians. Some music fans may consider Jennifer Saran
an easy listening artist, yet for those in the know, Smoky Nights
is a first class jazz-pop vocal experience all the way. www.jennifersaran.com
VAPOR
RECORDS – Released on Neil Young’s Vapor Records imprint,
Love & Inspiration marks the debut album from long
time Crazy Horse drummer Ralph Molina. Fans of Neil Young &
Crazy Horse will recall the time when we first heard Ralph’s
drumming on the 1969 classic Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere. Having
played with Neil on just about every Neil Young & Crazy Horse
related album, Ralph’s album is very much steeped in Neil’s
breezy, orchestrated country-rock style and he proves his worth as
both composer and vocalist, leaving the drumming to Tom Lackner.
Other musicians appearing include guitarists John Sklair, Bob
Thiele and Mark Pont with other fine players, including
keyboard legend Barry Goldberg, adding in some colorful sounds.
As a vocalist Ralph sounds quite like Neil Young as well as sounding
at times like the late great Dennis Wilson, co-founder and drummer
of The Beach Boys, especially on the more orchestral sounding tracks.
The CD booklet is filled with pictures of Ralph and all the players
on hand. A case of better late than never, the 2019 CD release of
Love & Inspiration shines a different light on the multitalented
music of Crazy Horse legend Ralph Molina. www.ralphmolina.net
VIVTONE
RECORDS – Recorded in California and New Jersey, DNA
is the debut album by singing sensations The Vivino Sisters.
Daughters of jazz-rock sax maven Jerry Vivino, the eleven-cut
album features a number of musicians including Jerry (sax, flute,
clarinet) and Jerry’s esteemed brother Jimmy Vivino (guitar,
banjo), Mitch Forman (keys, arrangements) and other top musicians.
The Vivino Sisters—Donna Vivino, Natalia Vivino &
Antonia Vivino—each have show-biz pulsing through their
DNA - is there a better word to describe the Vivino magic? The sisters
have an extensive background in music from NYC on Broadway and theatrical
productions and these musical gifts rise to the surface on DNA.
The album starts off with an elegant version of “Castle On
A Cloud”, from Les Misérables and mixes in a range
of covers and originals composed by the sisters—notably written
by middle sister Natalia. Among the original highlights is a track
called “Three Days”, written by Maury Yeston of Titanic
fame. Fans of the Great American Songbook will note some of these
tracks - “Goody Goody” from 1936 and “I Want To Be
Happy” - along with more 
contemporary
covers of songs by Randy Newman and the Madonna song “Live To
Tell”. The original songs are worthwhile too making the album
a fine choice for fans of new pop and Broadway. The Vivino Sisters
strike pop gold with their debut album DNA. www.vivinosisters.com
WHO
SAID MUSIC – Born in Canada and based in the Pacific Northwest
state of Oregon, Melissa Ruth released Meteor is
2019. For fans of Americana and blues music, the eleven cut CD is
a keeper. Written, arranged and produced by Melissa, Meteor delves
into a range of sounds that expertly merges electric blues-rock, country-rock
capped off with a driving rock ‘n’ roll edge, and in doing
so she comes up with a winner of an album. A very cool discovery with
a smoky, bluesy voice and Keith Richards inspired rhythm guitar style,
Melissa gets solid support from her band—sounding on fire throughout
the 11-cut CD. Backing up Melissa’s songs, rhythm guitars and
voice, Meteor features Johnny Leal (lead guitar), Rick
DeVol (bass) and Simon Lucas (drums). There’s a supercharged
air of tight, bluesy rock in play on just about every track on Meteor
and the driving beat is a perfect setting for Melissa’s deep,
dark lyrics, which are also printed in the CD booklet. Melissa cites
Bob Dylan as a prime influence on her music and a similar high quality
approach of song writing is reflected in her songs on Meteor. www.melissaruthmusic.com
INSTRUMENTAL
APHESIS
MUSIC – His name may be hard to pronounce yet Greek born
/ NYC based musician Glafkos Kontemeniotis has made an album
of quite easy on the ears jazz. Featuring eleven tracks, Yugen
is a fine showcase for Glafkos and his band, including fine
players like Joel Frahm (sax), Marcus McLaurine (bass),
Dave Meade (drums) and other players who guest. Informative
liner notes are penned by Alexander Gagatis, who also adds
vibes on four tracks. Perhaps the accessibility of the music can be
partly attributed to the tastefully recorded acoustic piano sound
of Glafkos, who expertly merges jazz, traditional music and classical
styles into a free form, straight ahead jazz formula. A fine choice
for fans of the CD format, the album not only sounds good but also
features fine packaging along with the in-depth liner notes. A well-produced
straight-ahead set of instrumentals with a definite New York kind
of vibe, contemporary jazz doesn’t get a whole lot better than
Yugen, by pianist / composer Glafkos Kontemeniotis. www.glafkosjazz.com
BLUJAZZ
- Guitarist Paul Silbergleit keeps the time-honored instrumental
jazz tradition alive and well with his 2019 album January.
On the eleven track January, the Milwaukee Wisconsin based
guitarist is joined by some fine players including Todd Howell
(drums), Eric Schoor (tenor sax) and Clay Schaub (bass).
With an impressive performance background, Paul is also a music instructor
and his impeccable credentials have resulted in a range of instruction
DVDs and books. Paul’s 2019 CD on Blujazz, January is
superbly recorded and is a modern day, straight-ahead, mainstream
jazz classic tailor-made for fans of guitar heroes such as Grant Green,
Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell and other legendary music icons. For
January, Paul has composed a number of original tracks, including
two by group bass player Clay Schaub. There are also two covers including
the CD closer “The Summer Knows” by Michel Legrand and “If
I Should Lose You”, the standard covered by countless jazz artists
and vocalists. A fine addition to the Blujazz catalog, January
is a fine introduction to the masterful jazz guitar sound of Paul
Silbergleit. www.paulsilbergleit.com
/ www.blujazz.com
CAPITOL
SOUND RECORDS – A worthwhile album to unwind with for some
cool smooth jazz and New Age instrumentals, Let Go is
a fine introduction to the music of Germany-based musician / composer
Christoph Berghorn. Christoph describes his first purely instrumental
album as being “music from the soul, for the soul”. There’s
many different genres featured throughout the impressive 22 track
album including smooth jazz, meditative new Age, neoclassical, electronica
and light, easy-listening mood music. Christoph gets some amazing
sounds from his Yamaha S90 ES piano / synthesizer. Several guest artists
appear adding cello, sax, flugel horn and percussion, giving the album
extra textures. Key to the album sound and compositional depth is
the mainly piano-based keyboard sound of Christoph. Also known in
his native Germany for his musical arrangements on children’s
albums, poetry recitation releases and his pop-rock and jazz fusion
albums, Let Go proves to be a most impressive New Age instrumental
album full of pleasant sonic details. www.christoph-berghorn.com
CBM
RECORDS – Going way back to the 1970s, the French music scene
was already steeped in the world of progressive jazz-rock and fusion.
Bands like ZAO, Coincidence and Shylock transformed their instrumental
progressive fusion into a worldwide phenomenon. Carrying that torch
forward, multi-instrumentalist, guitarist / keyboardist / vocalist
Clément Belio takes the progressive rock and fusion
sound into some deep, uncharted waters on his 2019 album called Patience.
Taking it beyond the traditional fusion and progressive genres,
Clément blends in elements of modern metal and even hip-hop,
which tastefully merges with the jazzy and epic classical, progressive
and orchestral sounds. Balancing out the instrumental tracks, the
ten-track Patience also spotlight several vocal tracks, sung
by Clément in both English and French—the multi-tracked
vocals floating over the progressive orchestral sounds. What is most
impressive is that Clément produced, composed, arranged, recorded
and mixed the entire album – the lone exception being a cover
of “La Danse Macabre” written by classical legend Saint-Saens.
That said, there are several guest musicians on Patience, including
keyboardist Francois-Xavier de Turenne, vocalist Carla
Fernandez and violinist Camille Schwartz. The artwork and
packaging of the CD is excellent and the CD booklet features superb
photos and lyrics for the vocal tracks. Clément Belio’s
Patience is a colorful example of state-of-the-art, progressive
rock fusion in the early 21st century. www.clementbelio.com
8BALL
CITY RECORDS – Israel-born / NYC based keyboardist, producer
and composer Eitan Kenner released his 2019 album 8Ball
City (the same name as his label) under his stage name, Kenner.
Recorded in NYC and Israel, the 12-track, 33 minute CD is a perfect
reflection of Eitan’s wildly inventive instrumental music, which
is very much influenced by 1970s prog-rock and jazz-rock fusion music—from
U.K. trendsetters Gentle Giant to ‘70s fusion superstars Return
To Forever. For 8Ball City, Eitan has assembled a gifted band,
including three drummers, a pair of electric guitarists and many more
musicians. As for his highly structured compositions, they are further
magnified by Eitan’s expertise on a range of keyboard instruments
including piano, Rhodes, Hammond C3 and a range of synths. Although
a do-it-yourself project, 8Ball City Benefits from colorful
cover art with Eitan’s own liner notes, well-rounded compositions
as well as excellent studio sound. www.kennermusic.com
PABLO
EMBON MUSIC – A one man jazz-rock band if there every was
one, Pablo Embon puts it all together on his 2019 album called
Reminiscent Moods. The 12-track album was recorded
by Pablo in Israel. Originally from Argentina, Pablo has released
16 albums and his new one may be his best yet. Upbeat instrumental
mainstream and smooth jazz with heavier fusion edges, Reminiscent
Moods is a fine showcase for Pablo’s guitar, keyboard and
arranging skills. The drum sounds are a bit light but his keyboard
and guitar playing is totally first rate. Pablo cites Pat Metheny
and early music from jazz-fusion legends Return To Forever among his
influences and clearly music fans will enjoy the diverse instrumental
grooves on Reminiscent Moods. www.pablo-embon.com
FULL
BLAST RECORDINGS– In between working with King Crimson, Tony
Levin got together with drummer icon Danny Gottlieb and
joined forces with guitarist Mike Pachelli for the recording
of his 2019 album called High Standards. A play
on words, the high here comes from the trio recording a series of
well-known jazz standards including favorites like “Put On A
Happy Face”, “Sweet Georgia Brown”, “Whistle While
You Work”, “Skylark” and others. Add in a Pachelli
original called “Yardbird Blues”, also featuring blues guitarist
Keb’ Mo’, and you come away with an album that will
appeal to jazz buffs and guitar fans too. Mike Pachelli is one of
the most versatile jazzers on the 21st century guitar scene and Tony
Levin and Danny Gottlieb hardly need any introductions. Mike’s
credentials are quite established and for those keeping score, High
Standards is the guitarist’s 18th solo album. Harking back
to the sound and style of great guitar legends like Les Paul and Wes
Montgomery, on High Standards Mike Pachelli takes his guitar
sound to a higher level. www.mikepachelli.com
HALL
STUDIOS – Back
in 2016, multi-instrumentalist Geoff Hall released Understanding
The Signs and in 2019 he returns on record with While It
Lasts. Geoff’s earlier release had no guitar on
it, instead that album featured a mix of orchestral sounding keyboard
music. In a musical twist of fate, Geoff gets back to his guitar roots
on While It Lasts. The nine-track, 36-minute album features
Geoff’s acoustic guitar front and center with added winds, strings,
piano and brass backing tracks. 
While
It Lasts has a clear influence from the Windham Hill sound of
the late 1980s and 1990s, especially influences from iconic acoustic
guitarists such as Michael Hedges, Alex de Grassi and Franco Morone.
Although Geoff is well versed in electric guitar styles too, with
its focus on alternate tunings, While It Lasts is an appealing
sounding album of mesmerizing, acoustic-based guitar sounds and styles.
The strings enhance the sound too, especially on track 3, “Resolved”,
and another album highlight called “Pheidippides”, with
its haunting mellotron brass sounds. Filled with scenic and pastoral
vibes, While It Lasts also underscores Geoff’s keen interest
in film scores. Mastering engineer David Glaser who worked
on Understanding The Signs, also gives While
It Lasts
a worthy CD sound. A standout release in a vast field of gifted guitar
players making fine albums, While It Lasts is a most enjoyable
album by a well-rounded guitarist and composer bringing his own unique
sonic vision to the wide world of music. www.GeoffHallComposer.com
IN
AND OUT RECORDS – Part jazzy, part bluesy, Cobb’s
Pocket is the 2019 CD release by NYC based recording artist
Hendrik Meurkens. Backed up by a fine band, including Peter
Bernstein (guitar), Mike LeDonne (organ) and Jimmy Cobb
(drums), the all-instrumental CD is the perfect showcase of Hendrik’s
harmonica work, which is the key instrument showcased on the eight
cut, 50 minute album. Post-bop jazz at its finest, Cobb’s
Pocket features Hendrik and company romping through an album of
cover tracks, including originals by Herbie Hancock, Slide Hampton,
Henry Mancini, Sam Jones and Jimmy Van Heusen. The title track, track
four “Slidin” and the CD closer “A Slow One” was
written by Hendrik. The sound of the album showcases the steady interaction
between the harmonica, electric guitar, organ and drums, which is
a rarely heard combination of instruments. Jimmy Cobb is a jazz drumming
legend that played with Wes Montgomery and in the spirit of Wes, Cobb’s
Pocket is “in the pocket jazz” at its finest. www.hendrikmeurkens.com
KAKAFON
RECORDS – A
good example of a sonic merger between 21st century instrumental jazz-fusion
and ethnic Scandinavian folk music can be heard in its full glory
on Zobop, an eight
cut, 41 minute
music masterpiece from Swedish guitarist Henrik Cederblom.
One of many favorable outcomes of the late 20th century rock era,
the Swedish fascination with traditional folk music dates back to
the late 1960s, and the early works of progressive rock musicians
including the late, keyboadist / composer Bo Hansson and Bo’s
guitarist Kenny Håkansson,
the latter going on to explore the true depths of merging Swedish
folk and rock music on numerous albums from the past 50 years. 
With
its fine attunement to both melody and jazz improv, Henrik’s
2019 album Zobop will clearly appeal to jazz and folk-jazz
listeners. Speaking about making a connection between Scandinavian
folk music melodies and jazz-rock instrumentals, Henrik tells mwe3.com,
"Actually,
I discovered both Håkansson and Schaffer later, so my main influences
for me when I grew up was Hendrix, Zappa, Beck, Blackmore, Clapton,
probably the similar inspiration as Kenny and Janne, haha… and
I think the melodies in my music are connected to a lot of the stuff
that they have done. Somehow, some little folkloric Swedish touch.
I don't think Swedish music is underrated… Swedish musicians
and songwriters have had a huge influence if you consider how small
the country is." On
Zobop, Henrik
excels on electric guitars, lap steel and beats and he gets solid
support from his band, including Viktor Turegård
(electric bass), Tapha Ndiongue (drums), Sten Källman
(sax, percurssion) and Finn Björnulfson (percussion
on "Zobop"). One interesting thing here is, even incorporating
the folk-based melodies, the fusion music on Zobop was composed
by Henrik except for one traditional song covered here. Henrik cites
modern day guitar influencers like Bill Frisell and Afrobeat drumming
legend Tony Allen, but there’s a definite sense of originality
thoughout the entire Zobop album. www.cederblom.com
/ www.kakafon.com
LABORIE
JAZZ – Two brothers, François Moutin (upright
bass) and Louis Moutin (drums) form the axis of Moutin Factory
Quintet. Very impressionistic jazz, their 2019 album Mythical
River combines a range of tastefully recorded jazz sounds
further benefited by the added input from Paul Lay (keys),
Manu Codjia (guitar) and Christophe Monniot (sax). Having
worked in France with a number of artists, including Michel Legrand,
Francois spent valuable time working in NYC, giving the sound of the
MFQ album a kind of New York style flavor. An all-instrumental merger
of jazz with a soulful, blues-based Euro-flavored music, Mythical
River was inspired by their travels in the US along the Mississippi
River and New York’s Lincoln Center. The band clicks and Manu’s
fiery, though not dominating, electric guitar gives the group sound
a kind of 21st century fusion jazz sensibility. Moutin Factory Quintet
takes their jazz-based instrumental sound to a higher level on Mythical
River. www.moutin.com
MOONJUNE
RECORDS – A good example of experimental music made and recorded
when two gifted musicians get together, Tor & Vale is
a sonic meeting of the minds between UK guitarist Mark Wingfield
and multi-instrumentalist Gary Husband—the latter
being best known as a jazz-fusion drummer that has worked with a range
of bands and artists, including the late great rock icon Jack Bruce.
A mix of both composed and improvised pieces, the focal point of the
8 track, 76 minute Tor & Vale album is the sonic interplay
between Wingfield’s stinging electric guitar sound and Gary’s
harmonic additions on acoustic piano. A triple threat musician, Gary
Husband is one of the most underrated recording artists in England
and his 2019 recording with guitarist Mark Wingfield may be low key
in scope but it’s nevertheless a beguiling, hypnotic spin from
start to finish. Fans of Mark’s Cinema Obscura album from
2013, as well as his incredible albums with experimental guitarist
Kevin Kastning will find Tor & Vale an equally astounding
listening experience. www.moonjune.com
OWL
MOUNTAIN MUSIC -
Based in San Mateo, California, acoustic guitarist Steve Eulberg
released his ninth solo recording in August 2019. The 13-track,
44 minute CD, called Between The Tracks is a fine offering
of relaxing, modern solo guitar magic that serves up a wide range
of jazzy and bluesy acoustic instrumentals. On the inside of the tastefully
packaged
digi-pak artwork you can see a picture of Steve with his nylon string
guitar. Guitars featured on Between The Tracks include a Huss
& Dalton DS and a Cordoba Fusion 14 Maple. Steve’s track
by track anecdotes are accompanied by his detailed liner notes, which
describe early guitar influences such as Mason Williams, well known
jazzy, guitar-centric artists including Earl Klugh and Antonio Carlos
Jobim, as well as finger-style, guitar-centric pop artists like John
Denver and Jim Croce. In his notes, Steve cites the late great Pete
Huttlinger, Tommy Emmanuel, Phil Keaggy, ragtime steel guitar ace
Rev. Gary Davis and Leo Kottke. There’s also a classical influence
and Steve cites reflective music from classical composer Debussy,
while the lone cover here is “Guitar Etude No.3”, an instrumental
track written by pop singer Dan Fogelberg. You can hear just about
every type of solo guitar style, from folk and blues to jazz and even
ragtime on Steve Eulberg’s superbly recorded 2019 solo album
Between The Tracks. www.SteveEulberg.com
ROCKADILLO
RECORDS – Finland’s Rockadillo continues releasing excellent
albums and at the top of the list is the 2019 CD by Finnish vibraphonist
Arttu Takalo called The Man In The Shadows.
Instrumental jazz that borders on soundtrack music and even rock,
the eleven track, 35 minute album features Arttu performing a number
of instruments, including electronic vibes, xylophone, piano, synths,
drums and percussion. A range of players - dubbed the L’allliance
Takolo - assist, filling up the sound spectrum, including Niko
Kumpuvaara (accordion), Ville Herrala (double bass) and
Ville Pynssi (drums) with added input by Mongo Aaltonen
(percussion) and album co-producer Speedy Saarinen on guitar
and banjo. Fans of Finnish jazz and fusion remember Arttu as a founding
member of the band XL, and while there’s not as much guitar work
here as on the XL albums, there’s plenty of atmospheric instrumental
fusion magic in play on The Man In The Shadows to make it of
interest to music fans worldwide. www.rockadillo.fi
SONGTRAKS
– Australian multi-instrumentalist and composer Franky
Valentyn is making waves in the progressive music world with Life
As We Know It released on SongTraks by The Franky Valentyn
Project. Very much a do-it-yourself project, the 12-track, 43
minute album is mostly available on CD-r and download but that shouldn’t
necessarily stop you from hearing it and enjoying it. With his deft
keyboard skills and touches of humor and musical humility, Franky
is being compared to Rick Wakeman and, true to form, there’s
definite touch of old England in the sound of the tracks. There’s
even a kind of Hank Marvin tribute track but it’s very different
from the other songs here. Guitarist Stephen Layton guests
as does Robert Forbes on theremin and vocalist Wendy Angel
on couple tracks. The soundtrack edge is also hard not to notice.
The CD sound is very good thanks to the expert sonic touch of Australia’s
great prog-rock guitar ace Ben Craven. All told Life As
We Know It is a great introduction to the sound of The Franky
Valentyn Project. www.facebook.com/SongTraks
RICK
SPARKS MUSIC – No sooner had composer / keyboardist Rick
Sparks released his Half Moon Bay album in 2018, that he
released his latest masterpiece Hushabye in 2019. Rick’s
eleven-track Hushabye follows Half Moon Bay with a splendid,
new assortment of relaxing, meditative instrumentals incorporating
a sound that has made him a favorite among modern day New Age music
listeners. It’s no secret that Rick is a huge fan of American
music icon Brian Wilson and, in fact the song “Hushabye”
was actually written in 1959 by song writing hero Doc Pomus and recorded
by The Beach Boys in 1964. Different Hushabye I know while, there
isn’t a song called “Hushabye” on Rick’s new album.
The artist explains, “Brian always said he used three-part vocal
harmonies because to his ear it sounded like angels. I took that to
heart by using angelic-sounding wordless voices singing multipart
harmonies.” Using electronic keyboards to create ethereal soundscapes
highlighted by what sounds like angels singing in the background,
Rick’s Hushabye album was specifically created as an album
that he describes as “soothing music that both adults and children
could relax to.” For his sixth solo album Rick has composed nine
new tracks as well as including instrumental arrangements of the song
“Love Can Make You Happy”, a song from 1969 by the 1960s
group Mercy and a new rendition of the children’s song “Jesus
Loves Me.” Listened to during the day as a way to help recharge
your karmic batteries and as a late night sound reliever, Hushabye
draws you in with its palate of soothing and peaceful instrumental
New Age sounds. www.ricksparksmusic.net
SPHERIC
MUSIC – Germany based Spheric Music remains on the cutting
edge of Teutonic electronica – both then and now - starting with
a new for 2019 album by synth wizard Robert Schroeder. Fans
of the legendary Berlin school of electronic music will recall Robert’s
1979 debut, the Harmonic Ascendant release on the Klaus Schulze
owned IC label. Now in 2019, 40 years later, Robert Schroeder is back
again with a newly recorded album called Fata Morgana.
An album filled with imaginative synth-soundscapes, the album
is truly a cosmic journey, filled with instrumental electronic music
magic. Outfitted with synth choirs, sequential percussion, electric
guitars and otherworldly vocal effects, the seven track album runs
65+ minutes. Overall, Fata Morgana is a timely reminder of
Robert Schroeder’s long standing career in the world of instrumental
electronic music. Speaking of Spheric Music, the long-time Spheric
Music label head, Lambert Ringlage is quite an established
artist in his own right. Releasing his own brand of electronic music
albums since 1988, Lambert has dusted off his 1995 Dimensions
Of Dreams album and has remastered and reissued it in 2019
with a newly recorded bonus track. In the spirit of the legendary
German electronica masters like Froese, Schultz and Schroeder, the
Dimensions Of Dreams album sounds better than ever and
is a fitting companion to the label’s 2019 Robert Schroeder album.
If synth music is called for, check out the many fine CDs on Spheric
Music. www.sphericmusic.de
SPOTTED
PECCARY MUSIC – With its subject matter inspired by Vietnam’s
Mekong Delta, the 2019 CD release of Meditation In Green is
a superb introduction to the music of Colorado-based synthesist Kelly
David. In the spirit of other albums on the Spotted Peccary label,
Meditation In Green is very much steeped in minimalist and
ambient instrumental music with ethereal, dreamy textures. Inspired
by both synth legends like Wendy Carlos and Keith Emerson, Meditation
In Green is different in some ways although Wendy’s early
1970s double album Sonic Seasonings album is a good reference
point, albeit brought up to date. Even though he has released several
other albums, Washington D.C. native Kelly David will attract many
new fans thanks to Spotted Peccary’s high level of sonic excellence.
Through the magic of the relatively recent online recording process,
several guest artists in different locations, including Hanoi-based
musician Vu Nhat Tan, who adds in recorded samples of Vietnamese
instruments on various tracks. Very cool music, filled with otherworldly
sounds and nocturnal imagery, Meditation In Green is a must
hear album for minimalist New Age synth listeners. www.SpottedPeccary.com
SUPERTONES
MUSIC – Anytime
The Supertones release a new album is a cause for celebration,
not only among long time fans in their hometown NYC, but also for
all fans of the world-wide Surf-Rock instrumental genre that the band
specializes in. With guitarist / composer Tim Sullivan at the
helm once again, the 2019 CD release of Unknown And Other Hits
From Outer Space features 15 newly recorded tracks of instrumental
surf-rock
gold. Recorded at Brooklyn’s famed Cowboy Technical Services
studio,
the album spotlights Tim Sullivan on lead guitars, Seth Lipscher
(rhythm guitars), Simon Chardiet (bass guitars) and Tommy
Mattioli (drums). With production chores by Simon and Tommy, the
album sounds excellent and features a number of musical surprises,
not the least being instrumental covers of two classics penned by
the late great rock legend David Bowie. A cover of Bowie’s “Starman”
classic from 1972, is given the Supertones treatment and it’s
a real highlight of Unknown And Other Hits From Outer Space.
Another outer space signature song by Bowie, in fact his first big
international hit, “Space Oddity” is also given the Supertones
touch and is another dazzling sounding highlight. Also here is a cover
of the title track from the 1965 movie For A Few Dollars More,
originally written by Ennio Morricone. A mix of several cover
tracks and a fresh batch of Supertones originals fills out the album
in style. Decked out in stunning day-glow cover art, Unknown And
Other Hits From Outer Space is a Supertones-style surf-rock instrumental
blast, start to finish. cdbaby.com
/ facebook.com
/ youtube.com
TARANTINOSNYC
MUSIC – Having released a fine full length CD called Surfin’
The Silver Screen, TarantinosNYC are back in 2019 with a 7 track
CD EP called III. Check out the CD cover art
and it’s kind of a spoof on the Led Zeppelin III album
art but the music is solidly rooted in the American style of guitar
instrumental surf-rock. The four piece, NYC based retro-instro band
combines a pair of originals with credible guitar-centric instro covers
of The Beach Boys (“Pet Sounds”), The Grass Roots (“Midnight
Confession”), a convincing cover of the Link Wray classic “The
Shadow Knows” as well as a track covered from the Jackie Brown
soundtrack. Though it’s basically half an album, it is worth
mentioning that the TarantinosNYC sound has improved on the seven
track III and the album ends on a intriguing note with a Nancy
Sinatra does James Bond style track featuring vocalist Elena Barakhovski
with added violins and keyboards of Lois Dilivio. www.tarantinosnyc.com
3TIMES7
MUSIC – Blues-rock continues to be a vital music sound and
style all over the world. A good example of 21st century electric
blues-rock from the U.K., the 2019 CD release of Rain In Chicago
is a solid album by England’s 3 Times 7. Interesting
name for a band, the album is a splendid showcase of singer Jenny
Lawrence and guitarist David Holdstock. The guitar sound
of Rain In Chicago is totally on fire and Jenny’s vocals
are equally red-hot. Inspired by the band’s visit to the Windy
City and the delta blues capital of New Orleans, the 12-track CD features
a number of other musicians, including Matt Ainsworth and a
whole lot more. The CD is imaginatively packaged with humorous track-by-track
notes. Rain In Chicago follows the band’s 2015 album Dirty
Money. Hard-hitting blues rock with a belting vocalist and hard-hitting
electric guitar sound, Rain In Chicago will knock-out blues-rock
fans all over the world. www.3times7.co.uk
JARRED
WALKER MUSIC – A fine pianist / composer from Ohio, Jarred
Walker released Becoming Tomorrow in 2019. Inspired
by New Age, jazzy classical music, Broadway soundtrack music, frisky
instrumental pop and other like-minded genres, the piano sound is
front and center, underscored by easy on the ears drums and percussion.
Fans of jazz icon Vince Guaraldi and even latter day New Age guru
George Winston will appreciate Jarred’s lighthearted approach
to instrumental piano sounds. Much like the CD album cover art, there’s
an optimistic vibe running throughout the ten-track, 35 minute album.
Nothing too dramatic or intense, Becoming Tomorrow is an album
of relaxing and whimsical acoustic piano music guaranteed to put a
smile on your face and a bounce in your step. www.jarredwalker.bandcamp.com
WAYNE
WILKINSON MUSIC – Colorado-based guitarist / composer Wayne
Wilkinson is making jazz fans happy with his 2019 album Proceed
To Route. Having gigged all over the world, Wayne strikes
jazz guitar gold with his new eleven cut album. Combining a range
of originals and covers, Proceed To Route has something for
both jazz fans and guitar buffs. For pop fans looking for a melodic
approach, Wayne tackles the Paul McCartney / Wings era classic “My
Love”, as a guitar instro and there's also uptempo covers of
Jimmy Webb, Irving Berlin, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, all well situated
among new tracks penned by Wayne. The band featured, backing up Wayne
on his eighth indie label release is also worth mentioning, including
Andy Burtschi (bass), Todd Williams (drums) and Thomas
J. Dawson Jr., who, in addition to producing the album, adds in
piano and strings on a pair of tracks here. Jazz guitar fans will
be mightily impressed with Wayne Wilkinson’s Proceed To Route.
www.waynewilkinson.com
WOODLARK
MUSIC – New Age maestro Mike Woodlark is making inroads
with his 2019 album called Mackland Avenue. Mysterious
and meditative, the 12-track CD features Mike’s tasteful keyboard
skills with the accent on his acoustic piano. Adding in synths, guitars,
strings and percussion, on Mackland Avenue Mike combines
memorable melodic inventions enhanced by the excellent sound of the
recording. Several tracks feature Mike’s low-key vocals with
the sound focusing on what is best described as a soft, folk-oriented
New Age sound. Mike’s occasional vocals only serve to further
highlight the relaxing nature of the album. There’s even a track
here called “Hey Vincent”, which is Mike’s tribute
to legendary painter Vincent Van Gogh. The CD sounds low-key and is
rather mysterious looking, without any details of the album but after
hearing it, Mackland Avenue is an album very much worth tracking
down and listening to. Several guest artists appear, but Mackland
Avenue is mostly an excellent close-up of Mike Woodlark’s
magical New Age keyboard-based music. www.bandcamp.com
REISSUES
& RETROSPECTIVES
BGO
RECORDS – Over in the U.K. BGO continues finding rare and
obscure albums for reissue fans to enjoy. Among the labels’ 2019
reissues is a two 2 albums on 1 CD reissue of the first two albums
from California based Latin funk-fusion band Caldera. First
released on Lp by Capitol Records back in the late 1970s, Caldera
(1976) and Sky Islands (1977) took instrumental
jazz-rock fusion to the next highest level. At the core of the Caldera
sound was guitarist Jorge Strunz, born in Costa Rica and keyboardist
Eduardo Del Barrio from Argentina on keyboards. Fans of world-class
fusion bands like Weather Report and Return To Forever flocked to
hear them and, despite retiring the band at the end of the 1970s,
there’s plenty of funky fusion fun to still be enjoyed thanks
to BGO’s 75 minute double album collection. Combining new interview
segments with Jorge Strunz and 2019 liner notes by musicologist Charles
Waring, the reissue provides loads of insightful reminders
of the band’s significance and importance during the 1970s heyday
of the early jazz-rock fusion era. Also up and out on BGO in 2019
is a double CD reissue by Brill building legend Carole King.
Although mostly a legend of the pop and rock world from the 1960s
and ‘70s, by the time the early ‘80s rolled around, Ms.
King was once again trying to revive her career with two albums on
Atlantic Records. Reissued on a single disc 20 track CD, One
To One (1982) and Speeding Time (1983) were
easy on the ears very much of the times during the early post-Beatles
pop era. Originally inspired by the great Brill Building song writing,
King and the late great Gerry Goffin went on to work with major artists.
BGO has done a great job on their 2 albums on 1 CD adding in complete
discography information, lyrics for both albums, capped off by new
liner notes by John Tobler. BGO has done a great with the back
catalog of easy listening singing legend Andy Williams and
their great work continues with four albums featured on a 2019 double
disc set. Albums included are The Andy Williams Show (Andy’s
26th album first released in 1970), Love Story (1971),
A Song For You (1971) and Alone Again Naturally
(1972). One of the legendary pop interpreters, Williams may
have been out of his prime following his reigning early 1960s days,
yet even during the early 1970s his smooth as silk vocals sounded
great. MOR pop fans will note the vast array of covers given the Andy
Williams touch throughout the 49 track double CD set. Liner notes
by Charles Waring brings to light the importance of these vital artifacts
from the back catalog of the late great pop crooner Andy Williams.
www.bgo-records.com
EAGLE
ROCK ENTERTAINMENT – Soon enough it will be 40 years since
the assassination of John Lennon. With 2020 hindsight, 2019
DVD release of Above Us Only Sky is the perfect a companion
piece to the 2018 Imagine DVD. Somehow there
was yet more footage that didn’t make it on to the first DVD.
Not as involved as the Imagine which Eagle released together
with the Gimme Some Truth documentary, this second and presumed
final episode of the Imagine era, Above Us Only Sky makes
an even more compelling and to the point filmic statement. Above just
about everything here, is we all know that had John’s murder
never occurred, most of this footage would never have stood a chance
of coming out. Continuing his adventures with his wife Yoko Ono,
there’s so many intimate moments that it’s almost beyond
belief that John would have wanted so much of his private life filmed
let alone released. He’s actually filmed on the toilet, reading
a newspaper, probably pissing and smoking at the same time. Even with
so much insights into the era of the Imagine album, so for
DVD buffs, the best part is surely the filming of John & Yoko
at the home studio on his palatial estate with superb performances
by Phil Spector and especially George Harrison, who
turns in some incredible guitar performances on a pair of tracks.
Alan “Yes Is The Answer” White is here too along
with Klaus Voorman, Nicky Hopkins, a coterie of journalists
and photographers, and new interviews with L.A. PR legend Elliot
Mintz, along with John's first son Julian Lennon who looks
about 9. George Harrison seems quiet and introspective during what
turned out to be the filming during the making of Imagine. Ring
On indeed. From a documentary perspective, Lennon’s dominance
in the studio and electric and acoustic guitar work is also spotlighted
here in all its glory. One downside is that there’s no footage
here of Moody Blues founder Mike Pinder, the musician that
turned the Beatles onto the mellotron. Ever the sonic perfectionist
that basically spawned the entire progressive rock movement of the
second half of the 1960s, in addition to the 'Tron, Pinder played
all the tambourine parts, in the studio as it appeared on all the
classic 7 Moodies albums so, it makes sense that after finding that
John’s melloton was beyond repair, in a strange yet fitting turn
of events, played a great tambourine on “I Don’t Want To
Be A Soldier”. But so glad to see in the movie-closing credits,
Mike's name and that of Stackridge founder Andy Davis, who
also played acoustic guitar on some Imagine tracks. There is
also no filmed footage of John with 1950's sax legend King Curtis,
but the DVD features some studio banter over a cool b&w photo
of John and King that looks spectacular. The ultimate film of John's
unique marriage to Yoko and his musical chemistry with these legendary
musicians during the Imagine era and absolutely made for Beatles
fans, Above Us Only Sky is essential viewing. www.johnlennon.com
RHINO
ENTERTAINMENT / WARNER BROS. RECORDS – With the Compact
Disc poised to revolutionize the entire music industry, jazz fans
were also said to have been shocked when jazz legend, trumpet master
/ composer Miles Davis left his long time label Columbia and
moved to Warner Bros. In October 1985, Miles started recording the
album Rubberband in L.A. yet it was shelved and incompleted,
in favor of recording what would become the Tutu album. Although
there was a four song digital EP of the unreleased Rubberband album
released in 2018, Rhino’s 2019 11 track, 65 minutes CD, double
vinyl and download marks the first ever official release of the album.
In a radical departure from his classic jazz sound, Rubberband
is filled with funky soulful grooves while featuring a range of singers
and vocal arrangers. The Rubberband album also benefits thanks
to high caliber musicians including Randy Hall (guitars, vocals),
Zane Giles (vocal and rhythm arrangements), Vince Wilburn,
Jr. (percussion, arrangements), Adam Holzman (keys), Mike
Stern (guitars), Bob Berg (sax), Arthur Haynes (bass,
keys, programming) and many other players, all listed in the credits.
Vocalists include Ledisi and Lalah Hathaway among others.
Finally completed for historical reissue on Rhino by Zane Giles, Randy
Hall and Miles’ nephew Vince Wilburn Jr, the CD sounds great
and as it stands and sounds 35 years later, it’s a classic mid
‘80s period piece - a jazz-funk classic filled with Miles’
unique trumpet stylings and his one of a kind sound. In addition,
the CD booklet features 2019 liner notes by George Cole, along
with rare pics, topped off by a cool painting by Miles that adorns
the album cover art. Fans of Miles Davis will dig the unreleased jazz
grooves of Rubberband. www.milesdavis.com
/ www.rhino.com
SVART
RECORDS – In 2018, Finland’s reissue label Svart Records
compiled the 3 studio albums and various single tracks and rare early
tracks by the 1970s progressive rock band Finnforest and the
results are quite impressive. A 3 CD box set, chronicling the band
started by brothers Jussi Tegelman (drums) and Pekka Tegelman
(guitars), Alpha To Omega – The Complete Studio Recordings
1973-1980 is a veritable time capsule detailing the history
one of Finland’s best 1970s instrumental jazz-rock fusion bands.
Although inspired early on by great Finnish rock bands like Wigwam
and Tasavallan Presidentti, the band Finnforest went from a rock centric
early start to a sonically appealing, instrumental jazz-rock sound
that transcended sonic borders and genres. The three Finnforest studio
albums, presented on the Svart box includes the first, self-titled,
all instrumental Finnforest album from 1975 (with rare,
early rock vocal tracks recorded in 1973), Lahto Matkalle (1976
– complete with 2 rare single only instrumentals) and their final
album, the instrumental classic Demonnights (1979 w/
three bonus tracks from 1980). The 3 CD Finnforest set on Svart is
well packaged and features in-depth liner notes, all in English, and
rare color and b&w pics. An excellent 3 CD box set, Alpha To
Omega – The Complete Studio Recordings 1973-1980 presents
a concise overview of the tasteful, instrumental jazz fusion music
created by Finnforest. www.svartrecords.com
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