Pianist Lucas Heidepriem opens his new trio album “Silence In Motion” with a dreamy solo intro before Johannes Schaedlich on bass and drummer Peter Erskine join in. “Falesia” is a truly fascinating trio piece with almost sacred qualities and some intensive repetitive patterns. And his very lyrical playing continues on “Second Steps” with its chamber music-like…
Both pianist Sebastian Sternal and flugelhornist Frederik Köster belong to the acclaimed and accomplished German jazz musicians who have received several awards in the past. They’ve been playing together in various groups since about 10 years. For their latest duo album, they went to Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada. And so, their compositions seem to reflect…
The new seasonal album by Barbara Dennerlein, the Hammond B3 organist from Germany, is as colorful and playful as the wonderful cover suggests. Produced by Italian mastermind Nicola Conte (who can also be heard on guitar on two tracks), and released through the re-established MPS label, the thirteen songs on “Christmas Soul” are your common…
Singer Stacey Kent continues to explore the Great American Songbook on her latest album “Tenderly” and adding some fine guitar touches by Brazilian legend Roberto Menescal to the mix. (She had worked with him on her “The Changing Lights” album.) Her subdued approach and tender, soft and sweet style seems to be perfect for classics…
Towards the end of “Never Find A Better Love”, the second track on South African singer and guitarist Jonathan Butler‘s new record “Free”, something like the sound of Philadelphia’s golden years shines through on the dance-with-strings groover. Complete with Rhodes played by co-writer and producer Luther “Mano” Hanes. I wish there would be more moments…
Pianist Cedar Walton was one of many pure jazz artists who were dismissed by fans and critics alike for turning disco or pop in the mid- to late 70s. For me as a teenager growing up in the late 70s with Radio Luxemburg, BFBS, and AFN, it was the perfect entry into a vast musical…
The debut recording by New York-based singer Laurie Dapice is a fine example of a) convincingly getting a story across to the listener and b) choosing enthralling repertoire. Even with classic standards like Cole Porter‘s “You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To” and “What Is This Thing Called Love”, Laurie’s approach and her warm soprano…
20 years after their debut album “Cool & Steady & Easy”, which was voted “best r&b album” by Billboard magazine, the Brooklyn Funk Essentials return with their latest, “Funk Ain’t Ova”, seven years after their last release. The gritty funk of their past albums continues here right on with the opener “Blast It!” and a…
UK soul singer-songwriter Tony Momrelle, probably best known for his longstanding work with Incognito since 2002, has released his new album “Keep Pushing”. And the similarity to Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway is, once again, striking, as witnessed by the opening title track. Well maybe except for the rap part. With “Pick Me Up”, he goes…
Even though alto saxophonist Vincent Herring tours Europe a lot, it was in early 2014 in New York when I last saw him. He was accompanying the brilliant vocalist Paulette McWilliams. Ever since his stints with Nat Adderley (for six years) and Cedar Walton (for over 20 years), he has clearly found a sound of…