The Stereo Times Staff Recording Recommendations
Summer 2011

                                  Spring, 2011

Paloma Faith, Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful [Sony/Epic 88697543552]. Lately I’ve been listening to some intriguing female artists. One such artist is Paloma Faith, who crosses the lines of several musical genres including soul, pop, and jazz. This gorgeous British singer/actress first caught my attention with her YouTube video “Upside Down.” The 26-year-old redhead is just too sexy for words. She even scored a role in the recent film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, playing Sally, the Devil’s girlfriend, holding her own with some really big name actors: the late Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, Jude Law, and Christopher Plummer. And the Devil was played by none other than the strange and very talented Tom Waits, but I digress. – Frank Alles

Devil Doll, Queen of Pain [Lucky Bluebird LB73333-2]. Another artist that caught my attention is Colleen Duffy and her band Devil Doll. Duffy is not a new artist but she is new to me. Again crossing several musical genres (usually jazz, rock, country, and soul) Colleen provides some very sultry and seductive lyrical entertainment. Judging from her online pics and the pics in her Queen of Pain CD art, she is one hot lady. This CD has 18 tracks and the majority of them are keepers. That said, the last song, “If I Died In Your Arms,” goes way into the red between 6:30 and 6:50 into the cut. I thought my speakers were going to burp up their midranges, so if you find yourself there, rouse yourself from your trance and turn down the volume a few clicks. BTW, the band Devil Doll is quite tight and has an excellent bass player. – Frank Alles

Chris McGovern, Head and Heart [Bandcamp.com]. Finally, I’ve been listening to new artist Chris McGovern. Chris resides in AZ, as do I, and I happened upon his album Head and Heart at bandcamp.com. McGovern’s music lies mostly in the new age/avant-garde vein and his style seems a cross between Vangelis and Andreas Vollenweider with a dash of Devo thrown into the mix. In particular I enjoyed his songs, “Successful Outcry,” and “White Sands.” McGovern does a great job of layering his instruments via computer and you’ll find some deep speaker-challenging bass lurking about here and there.

This is a terrific album to enjoy and relax to, while simply pondering the infinite. You can sample tracks from Head and Heart at: http://chrismcgovern.bandcamp.com. It can be downloaded in many formats from FLAC to MP3 (I chose the FLAC). Hard copy CD’s will be available shortly. Chris also has a website detailing more information about himself, his music, and his thoughts at: http://chris.mcgovernart.net  - Frank Alles

Jamey Haddad, Mark Sherman, and Lenny White, Explorations In Space and Time [Chesky]. Lenny White, the drummer whose own band, “Twentynine,” was one of the hottest funk bands during the early 80’s, joins Jamey Haddad, one of the most sought-after world percussionists, and classically trained percussionist Mark Sherman for one of the most unique drum and percussion sessions ever recorded. Explorations in Space and Time is a must have for folks who truly want to hear what their systems can do. Each song is recorded using both “soundfield” and “binaural” recording techniques to really fascinating affect. The music itself is good enough to get into, but the two recording techniques makes it a lot more fun. – Dave Thomas

Esperanza Spaulding, Chamber Music Society [Heads Up International]. I, like the rest of the world was completely surprised when this petite and sweet-faced young lady was named this year’s Grammy winner for “Best New Artist” over the much hyped Justin Bieber. So I ran out and bought her new CD, Chamber Music Society, and to be honest, I haven’t been this excited by a new artist since I first heard Andreas Vollenweider some twenty years ago. Spaulding is a jazz musician who not only plays an upright bass that is much bigger than she is but she combines her deft playing with a seductive voice that is part Basia and part Billie Holiday. She looks like a younger Sade but has a spirit that dedicated to the pure art form that is jazz. Her music is so personal that it should only be heard in a dark, quiet room. Absolutely recommended. – Dave Thomas

Various Artists, Disney Jazz Volume 1: Everybody Wants to Be a Cat [Walt Disney Records]. Disney, a household name for millions of families for decades, is presenting some of their most famous tunes... with a unique twist. Disney Jazz Volume 1: Everybody Wants to Be a Cat, is a compilation of great and memorable songs interpreted by an all-star list of jazz performers including: Dave Brubeck, Joshua Redman, Roy Hargrove and recent Grammy winner, Esparanza Spaulding.

I loved this CD for a few reasons. First, the way these jazz greats put their spin on such familiar tunes as: “Chim Chim Cher-Ee,” “You’ve Got A Friend In Me,” and “It’s A Small World,” makes this a disc with lots of wonderful surprises. Second, I got a kick out of sitting back and listening to the music I remember as a child, and singing along or just tapping my feet. The music is recorded so well that it really draws you in. And third, the music, that wonderful, wonderful, fresh Disney music. Disney Jazz Volume 1: "Everybody Wants to Be a Cat will be a great addition to your music collection. To all that took part in the creation of this CD, I have to say bravo! And to all who are reading this, I say buy it, and find your favorite tune! - Debra Goidel

Elan Trotman, Love and Sax [E.T. Muzik Productions]. I was privileged to have received this CD before it hit mainstream radio, and I’ve heard and enjoyed each and every song. Although he may not be a household name yet, Elan Trotman's new project, “Love and Sax,” will give you a taste of what he is all about. “Love And Sax,” Trotman's second contemporary jazz album, was released on March 8, 2011.

Though still a young artist, Trotman exhibits a maturity way beyond his age. The first song, which is also the title song, is an expressive and passionate melody that sets the tone for the rest of the cuts on this disc. This is a collection of songs that shows off his penchant for composing smooth and melodic music and would make a perfect soundtrack for a sensual and romantic evening.

Elan Trotman is a young saxophonist who I believe will soon be making a major name for himself. This album is definitely worthy of your attention. – Debra Goidel

Cannonball Adderly, Dis Here [Proper Records]. You get the feeling that Cannonball Adderley, with his unmistakable alto sax technique, has been telling a story through his music throughout his career. He displays a real hold on ballads, blues and dynamic bebop tunes and has played with greats such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Bill Evans, to name a few. What Cannonball's music does is give you an experience, a journey through time by way of his music. Listen to his saxophone telling you his story through this 4 disc set which covers his career from the years 1955 thru 1959. You’ll spend hours smiling and thinking to yourself what a great and pure talent he was. “Dis Here” was released on February 21, 2011. It will be worth your while to look it up and I hope you get the experience that I did. – Debra Goibel

Hadley Caliman, Straight Ahead, [Origin]. Although clocking in at just slightly under 40 minutes, this is a solid set of varied tunes, mainly up tempo with a couple of ballads, by tenor saxophone veteran Hadley Caliman. Arrangements feature a nice hook on each tune with excellent solos by Thomas Marriott on trumpet and Eric Verlinde on piano. Caliman is in the pocket throughout the entire CD and although these names may not be highly recognizable by many, it's the music that counts and this is fun listening. Definitely keeps your feet and toes tappin! – Bill Wells

Marian McPartland, Twilight World, [Concord]. Absolutely one of my favorite go-to recordings by legendary pianist, Marian McPartland. “Twilight World” features warm, tender melodies performed with an engaging musical style and approach. It includes some nice standards and other familiar tunes with solid arrangements highlighting McPartland's easygoing finger work on the keyboards. This recording is all about the music. The sound catches you right from the very beginning and carries you through to the very end. Very easy to put this disc on repeat. – Bill Wells
 

Steve Turre, Delicious and Delightful, [HighNote]. Turre's talent alone can carry a full recording, and with this very engaging disc, featuring his superb trombone and shells, it's a winner. Additionally, Turre enlists the wondrous flavor of various other talented artists, including Larry Willis on piano, Billy Harper on tenor sax, Russell Malone on guitar, and several others to support the full sound with bass, drums and other instruments. In typical Turre style, he comes at you straight from jump street on the very first tune. “Delicious and Delightful,” is an excellent mix of styles and tunes and totally engaging music. Turre creates a nice level of energy throughout and the music is accessible and solid all the way through. Additionally, each selection has its own signature but never strays too far away from Turre's main mode of playing, so just be prepared to be entertained when listening to this gem. It is truly delicious and most certainly delightful. – Bill Wells

Ambrose Akinmusire, Prelude For Cora, [Fresh Sounds Records]. A girlfriend of mine turned me on to this gem. Thank you Aura. I found the 1st track, “Dreams of the Manbahsniese,” to be hauntingly surprising and satisfying! I didn’t expect to hear such well-seasoned musicians. All it took was for me to do a little research and I found out that Ambrose Akinmusire has been a well-respected sideman for some of the best. He has also won two major trumpet competitions (the Carmine Caruso and the Thelonius Monk) which is no small achievement.

On “Prelude to Cora,” Akinmusire has gotten together with some familiar counterparts: Aaron Parks, Walter Smith III, Joe Sanders, Justin Brown and Chris Dingman. I fell in love with the beautiful, “Humsong” (Skidrow Anthem). This is truly a stunning piece with such great interplay between these musicians that I found myself spellbound. “Ruby” was another track from the CD that peeked my interest as well. This is one of those CDs that is just easy, breezy and thought provoking. You won’t be disappointed. – Carlos Sanchez

Jenelle Monàe, The Archandroid - Suites II & III, [Atlantic]. I just love it when you’re unable to categorize an artist such as Jenelle Monàe who hails from Kansas City, Missouri. I’ve seen this young lady on numerous TV specials performing up-tempo goodies for what I thought was her generation. I went onto Amazon and gave this CD a listen and boy was I surprised to find two of the most inventive songs which just left me gasping. Jenelle Monàe has won me over with her command of her vocal instrument, especially on track 17, “Say You’ll Go,” and track 18, “BaBopByeYa”.

The production of “BaBopByeYa” is top notch and reminiscent of an old movie soundtrack with a twist of Jazz, Tango, Bebop and Rap. It’s melodramatic at its roots and never boring. “Say You’ll Go,” is smooth and intimate. You’ll want to tell anyone who’s talking while this is playing to be quiet until the song is over. It’s so delicately done with sixties infusions of pop and jazz that leaves you not wanting to miss a note. I know, I really sound like I loved this one… because I did. I believe that you’ll be pleasantly surprised as well. – Carlos Sanchez

Brian Blade, Fellowship, [Blue Note]. This 1998 Blue Note release has sparked me to write something about Brian Blade albeit 14 years later. The thing that I love about good music is that it’s simply timeless. I can go back as far as the beginning of recorded music and summon up the spirits of artists; past and present. It’s ok that I’m just discovering some of these musicians.

I know that one has to be true to one’s self, and totally committed to one’s craft in order to achieve the international respect that an artist like Brian Blade commands. Just listen to the opening track, “Red River Revel,” from the Fellowship CD and it’s easy to see why he has been such a sought after drummer. – Carlos Sanchez

Chaka Khan, Classikhan - Feat. The London Symphony Orchestra, [Music World].
For those who know about Chaka Khan, she has stirred quite a pot of musical flavors during her more than 35 years as a singer and writer. Her funk and R&B offerings are legendary to say the least. As lead singer for the group, Rufus, she garnered nothing but respect from the musical community.

The Classikhan CD will leave you breathless as Chaka embraces a more dynamic and dramatic side of herself. She is backed by a jazz combo that includes Joe Sample (piano) and Sheila E (Percussion) as well as the London Symphony Orchestra. I must say that considering the selection of material on the CD, which includes selections such as: “Hey Big Spender,” “Best Is Yet To Come,” “Is That All There Is,” “Round Midnight” and “To Sir With Love.” What she does to “Goldfinger” is simply phenomenal and helps you to really appreciate her with the Orchestra, as it adds stark intensity, depth and dimension to every piece. Classikhan is definitely a Classic beyond compare. – Carlos Sanchez

Billy Harper, Trying to Make Heaven My Home [MPS Records] Recorded in Stuggart, Germany in 1979, and released only on LP this is BOTH a rare find and a rare musical gem (you can digitally download it on Amazon). This LP features the great Billy Harper on tenor saxophone, Everett Hollins on trumpet, Wayne Dockery on bass, Malcolm Pinson on drums and Armen Donelian on piano. Here's a tenor saxophonist who got my vote years ago as the next best thing to John Coltrane when it comes to style and ferocity. The title song, Trying to Make Heaven My Home, written and arranged Harper, stretches over 18 minutes in length aided by an intense 5-minute intro. This serves as the perfect lead-in for Harper to express his God-given creativity and funeral-styled tempo. Of course, Billy Harper reaches places very few tenors can. Like 'Trane, he's got a rhythmic grace coupled with a melodic style that sends this piece soaring. On the other hand, Billy Harper is an enigma wrapped in up in a riddle. He writes nearly all of his music and is very highly respected in that regard, yet when it comes to recording, Harper appears more at ease as a studio sideman these days (to date he's released only 11 CDs since his first Capra Black, back in 1973. Coltrane's output was encyclopedic: In a single decade blessed us with some of the most revered music in jazz history). Harper's long awaited CD, Blueprints of Jazz Vol II, hit the airwaves back in 2009 - nearly ten years after his last release - proved hugely disappointing. Ironically, Harper's music is more valuable among collectors because there are so few available. Trying to Make Heaven My Home has to be among the most valuable. - Clement Perry

Stefon Harris and Blackout, Urbanus. If you too are a fan of the new and spirited style of young jazz musicians, like Christian Scott, Robert Glasper, Javon Jackson and vocalist extraordinaire Gregory Porter, just to name  few, making their way onto the big stage, then vibraphonist Stefon Harris should also be on your playlist. Urbanus, his sophomore project with Blackout: the name of his hip stepping bandmates which include Casey Benjamin on alto and vocoder, Marc Carey on piano (another stellar musician), Ben Williams on drums and Terreon Gully on drums. What I so like in Harris and Blackout is their funky, syncopated and risky style that sometimes borders closer to the Don Cherry school of free jazz without crossing over entirely. The Urbanus disc is seven tracks long of musical satisfaction that provides surprisingly fulfilling treats from the first to the last track (which I find increasingly harder to say these days). - Clement Perry