By Esther Callens
Good music is appealing to the ear but great music leaves a lasting impression on the harmonic palate. Coinciding with the aforementioned, listed below are a few albums that are certain to satisfy most cravings –Enjoy!
The dynamic duo of Steve Wilson (saxophonist) and Lewis Nash (drummer) have boldly taken giant steps with Duologue (MCG Jazz), their latest. This sax-drums combo is proven to be a match made in heaven. Eschewing all the extras and hooplas with Duologue, they have stuck to the basics and the outcome is simply pure music. Recorded live at The Manchester Craftsmen Guild (Pittsburgh, PA) in March of last year, Duologue gives interpretations on classics from Thelonious Monk, Fats Waller, Dizzy Gillespie and others along with a few of their own surprises. Duologue – less is more – Fantastic!
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Not only do girls rock, but they swing too in A Swingin Life (MCG Jazz). It is an outstanding album recorded by Diva with special guests Nancy Wilson and Marlena Shaw. Diva is the collective gathering of 15 females that formed a big band. These ladies got skills! With A Swingin Life, Diva takes a few pages out of the Great American Songbook putting a spotlight on “What the World Needs Now”, “All Of Me”, “Pennies From Heaven”, “Blues Medley” (“Goin’ To Chicago Blues”; “Kansas City”; “Every Day I Have The Blues”) and others. It is no mystery why Diva has racked up an impressive following over the years. These girls know how to have fun.
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Glasses, No Glasses (Pimento Music) is the title of the jam session by bassist Amanda Ruzza and drummer Mauricio Zottarelli. Enlisting guest keyboardist-saxophonist Leo Spalding, the entire CD was recorded in less than two days. Featuring an eclectic mixture of improv, the trio produced some profound carefree compositions. They are so in tune with each other until the first track is their actual soundcheck (which ironically is its name) and it is smokin! Glasses, No Glasses delivers a healthy dose of funk!
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Last and certainly not least is a project by a Dutch group who goes by the name of Die Glorreichen Sieben aka The Magnificent Seven. Their album, titled Rockin’ In The Free World pays tribute to Neil Young. It features eight distinct interpretations of some of Neil’s classics.
