Gina on Hiatus
This is just to let you know that Gina is currently on hiatus and will be back shortly with news, reviews and more. Thank you all for your kind messages and understanding!
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New Releases Check: Marcus, Carol, and Julia
Saxophonist Marcus Strickland has come with a brilliant set on Revive/Blue Note called “Nihil Novi”, produced by Meshell Ndegeocello. The album features a few tracks with the wonderful Jean Baylor and also has trumpet maestro Keyon Herrold on tap. The album runs from smooth grooves to warm interludes, free-fall playing to some exceptionally well-executed vocal…
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Gilles Peterson Digging In The MPS Vaults
MPS Records, the now legendary German label based in the Black Forest region, has been put back to life a couple of years ago with reissues and new artists on the updated roster. Now, Gilles Peterson, the British DJ and label head (Talkin’ Loud Records, Brownswood Recordings) has taken on the task of putting together…
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Billy Paul 1934 – 2016
I don’t want this to become an obituary page so I’ll return to reviewing new music soon since new stuff is piling up on my desk, but I’m sad to hear that we have lost yet another legendary musician and singer: Billy Paul has died at age 81. He is best known of course for…
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Darren English – Imagine Nation
South African trumpeter Darren English has released “Imagine Nation”, his 10-track debut that features four of his original compositions, five standards, and a Dizzy Gillespie piece. His tempo, harmony and structure on the title track, a self-written romp through modern jazz heaven, immediately show his skills and characteristics not only as a top-notch trumpet player,…
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Montreux Jazz Festival Celebrates 50th Anniversary
It’s been a while since my last visit to beautiful Montreux in Switzerland. For about 15 years, this prestigious festival had been on my calendar. I have met so many artists over there and saw outstanding and unique concerts, not to forget the numerous get-togethers at the chalet of founder and director Claude Nobs r.i.p….
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Songs In The Key Of Life Comes To London
Stevie Wonder has been playing everyone’s favorite album (including mine), “Songs In The Key Of Life” from 1976, in its entirety on a successful, sold-out US tour. He is now bringing the three-hour show to Europe and will play London’s Hyde Park on July 10th. The tour has run for 18 months in the US…
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Al Green At 70
There are soul singers, soul preachers, soul crooners, and then there is Al Green. The wonder that is “Let’s Stay Together”, his number 1 hit from 1971, is still intoxicating and enthralling over 40 years later. Pieces like “”I’m Still In Love With You” (1972) or “Here I Am” (1973), “L-O-V-E” (1975) or “Keep Me Cryin’”…
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Daryl Sherman – My Blue Heaven
New York-based singer and pianist Daryl Sherman has released her latest album on the Japanese label Muzak, Inc. Daryl has performed regularly at the Tableaux Lounge in Tokyo for the past several years and I am more than happy for her success abroad, especially since her long-running, steady gig at the Waldorf in New York…
