Contemporary
| Performance (3/5) |
|---|
|
|
| Sound (4/5) |
|---|
|
|
Berne, Alexander
+ Expand Details
- Collapse Details
Flickers of Mime
| Review Date: | 02-19-2012 |
|---|---|
| Category | Fusion |
| Label | Innova |
| Producer | |
| Instrumental | Saxophone |
O's Notes: This is a beautifully packaged set of two discs composed and performed by Alexander Berne and the Abandoned Orchestra. The first is titled Flickers of Mime. It traces the path of a rising star through eleven segments. Disc 2, Death of Memes focuses on the second half of the arc with nine more tracks. The dynamics are great pulling you into the mood as life begins and develops. At times it feels abstract and then invigorating. It would be great to see this music accompanied on stage, with video or live scenes.
| Performance (4/5) |
|---|
|
|
| Sound (3/5) |
|---|
|
|
Chen, Macy
+ Expand Details
- Collapse Details
After 75 Years
| Review Date: | 02-19-2012 |
|---|---|
| Category | Pop+Jazz |
| Label | Twinz Records |
| Producer | |
| Instrumental | Female Vocals |
O's Notes: Macy Chen is an accomplished Taiwanese pop vocalist who moved to New York to peruse her passion for jazz. Six years later she gives us her jazz recording debut. It is a gem that is easy to appreciate even with Chinese lyrics! She sings six Shanghai jazz classics, a couple of American jazz standards and two originals. If you have doubts, skip to "Harlem Fantasia" her combination of "Caravan" and "Harlem Nocturne", yes also in Chinese but with passion and creativity you can feel. After 75 Years refers the parallel in her career with that of her grandfather, a Taiwanese jazz saxophonist who moved to Japan 75 years ago in pursuit of his musical passion. Macy has excellent tone, warm inflection and presents a strong package!
| Performance (3/5) |
|---|
|
|
| Sound (3/5) |
|---|
|
|
Garrett, Jackson
+ Expand Details
- Collapse Details
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
| Review Date: | 02-19-2012 |
|---|---|
| Category | Pop+Jazz |
| Label | Jackson Garrett |
| Producer | Gore, Christopher |
| Instrumental | Instrumental |
O's Notes: We combed the liner notes looking to find out what instrument Jackson Garrett plays to no avail. Jackson Garrett is the name of this retro 1970s style contemporary jazz band! The genius behind them is composer and producer Christopher Gore. The music has strong brass accents and will make you reminisce. It is a happy toe-tapper dedicated to Walter Earl Brown, the producer who contributed much to this and many other fine recordings.
| Performance (4/5) |
|---|
|
|
| Sound (4/5) |
|---|
|
|
Jackson, Ron
+ Expand Details
- Collapse Details
Burning Gums
| Review Date: | 02-19-2012 |
|---|---|
| Category | Fusion |
| Label | Roni Music |
| Producer | Marius, Norbert |
| Instrumental | Guitar |
O's Notes: Burning Gums is guitarist Ron Jackson's latest release in a trio with bassist Norbert Marius and Matsuura Hiroyuki playing the drums. This is a tight set especially the funky arrangement of "Killer Joe", the better of two covers. Marius and Jackson wrote the rest of the material. "Mangrove DoReMi" is a fusion tune showcasing Marius who is solid all the way through. We also enjoyed "Madras Parallel" with Jackson blitzing through the melody and the relaxed "Sacred Love".
Acoustic Alchemy
Roseland
Register and subscribe to a premium account to gain access to all of the reviews. Register Now
