Willis, Larry

Label: High Note
The Offering
Bebop

Performance: 4
Sound: 5

O's Notes: Pianist Larry Willis teams up with bassist Eddie Gomez, Billy Drummond (d) and Eric Alexander (sax) to play eight solid bop tunes. Willis composed three of the songs and the balance is fresh covers. Larry's style is warm and accessible. The band plays well together expressing pain on "Ethiopia" and pleasure on upbeat tunes like "Alter Ego". Larry is also quite the baseball fan and presents us with two swinging tunes "TD's Tune" in honor of Tommy Davis and "The Rock" named after Ron Swaboda, the famous NY Met who wrote the liner notes! The music is tight and good listening.

Monteiro, Jeremy & Greg Fishman

Label: Jazz Note
Only Trust Your Heart
Ballads, Blues

Performance: 4
Sound: 4

O's Notes: This is a duets album featuring Monteiro on piano with Fishman playing sax. The minimalist approach allows the instrumental tones to ring. The sounds are beautiful and well recorded. They play eight standards, all relaxing tunes. Greg's passionate melodies pair well with Jeremy and this will serve as very good background music for many occasions.

Hines, Pamela

Label: Spice Rack
Return
Ballads, Blues

Performance: 4
Sound: 3

O's Notes: These are swinging ballads featuring pianist Pamela Hines with John Lockwood (b) and Bob Gullotti (d). Jerry Bergonzi (sax) is the guest artist making a lot of good noise on "Very" and "Return". The program is nine selections including three Hines originals. Pamela's style on the keys is assertive and energizing. She keeps the music flowing nicely without being too aggressive. This is a soothing set.

West, Jo

Label: JoWest Music
XoXo
Ballads, Blues

Performance: 3
Sound: 2

O's Notes: Jo sings with a seductive style. Her voice is deep and sultry and she is on the provocative edge singing five classic tunes. "Peel Me a Grape" and "I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine" are a couple of samples. She's not bashful! If you like these characteristics, dial her up!

Wilson, Gerald

Label: Mack Avenue
Monterey Moods
BigBand

Performance: 4
Sound: 4

O's Notes: Wilson is one of the wonders of jazz, an ageless composer and conductor with over 50 releases under his belt! He hasn't lost his magic again being commissioned by the Monterey Jazz Festival. This release is as good as his earlier highly acclaimed Mack Avenue releases. Guest artist Hubert Laws (fl) adds a special touch. The program rolls through a series of appropriately titled tunes: "Jazz Swing Waltz", Latin Swing", "Blues" and "Hard Swing". All are a part of the 7-song Monterey Moods Suite. What makes Gerald's arrangements sizzle is the lack of congestion with his large ensemble. Each of the musicians can be heard and appreciated clearly leading to a satisfying listening experience.