Favorites
| Performance (4/5) |
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Allen, Harry
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Rhythm on The River
| Review Date: | 01-01-2012 |
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| Category | Swing |
| Label | Challenge |
| Producer | Ellis, Chris (executive) |
| Instrumental | Saxophone |
| Favorite Release Date | 02-19-2012 |
O's Notes: Harry Allen is able to swing like crazy on "Riverboat Shuffle" and then warm our souls with passion on "Cry Me A River". That makes him unique in the vast sea of saxophonists. Allen employs a solid rhythm sections and invites Warren Vachˇ (cornet) to join him on 4 of the 10 selections. This is an appreciable performance for lovers of classic jazz.
| Performance (4/5) |
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Crabbe, Shirley
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Home
| Review Date: | 01-15-2012 |
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| Category | Pop+Jazz |
| Label | MaiSong Music |
| Producer | Vega, Donald |
| Instrumental | Female Vocals |
| Favorite Release Date | 02-19-2012 |
O's Notes: Shirley has a warm silky voice that she applies to a set of nine popular standards. She is complimented by a fine band including pianist Donald Vega and Matt Haviland who contributes a fine trombone solo on "Home" as well as arranging several tracks. Special guest Houston Person adds tenor sax on two songs notably "Lucky To Be Me". The intimacy imparted on songs like "Detour Ahead" and the classic "Summertime" make this session memorable.
| Performance (5/5) |
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Freddy V
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Easier Than It Looks
| Review Date: | 01-01-2012 |
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| Category | funk |
| Label | Freddy V Music |
| Producer | Freddy V & Mo Pleasure |
| Instrumental | Saxophone |
| Favorite Release Date | 02-19-2012 |
O's Notes: Fred Vigdor is Freddy V, a contemporary jazz saxophonist, writer and producer. He puts together a popping set of mostly new upbeat tunes that will have your head bobbin' at a minimum. He employs the talents of proven performers Ike Stubblefield (organ), Mo Pleasure (b, keyboards), Ricky Peterson (organ) and guitarists Derek Scott & Terry Lewis to keep it funky. Klyde Jones injects soulful vocals into "Let's Go Round Again" the best of three vocal tracks. Freddie is in the middle of it all working his sax to keep it fresh notably on "Any Other Way" and the super funky "Sandbag". This is one to add to the smooth rotation.
| Performance (4/5) |
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| Sound (4/5) |
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Lucena, Duda
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Live
| Review Date: | 02-12-2012 |
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| Category | Latin |
| Label | Duda Lucena |
| Producer | |
| Instrumental | Guitar |
| Favorite Release Date | 02-19-2012 |
O's Notes: Duda sings and strums his guitar leading a quartet with Kevin Hamilton (b), Gerald Gregory (p) and Quentin Baxter (d). The program is a well-chosen set of seven Brazilian classics. Lucena and company do a fine job recreating the magic. They swing in the breeze on "Lugar Comum" the opening track that warmed up the audience and set the stage for a wonderful set. There are seven songs highlighted by "Corcovado" and "Odara". This is a fine taste of Brazil.
| Performance (4/5) |
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Reid, Kate
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The Love I'm In
| Review Date: | 03-04-2012 |
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| Category | Ballads, Blues |
| Label | KateReid |
| Producer | Reid, Kate and others |
| Instrumental | Female Vocals |
| Favorite Release Date | 02-19-2012 |
O's Notes: Kate has a delightful voice and puts it to good use with her take on some of the best in romance from the American Songbooks. She also does good work on the ivory with support from Ernie Watts (sax), Steve Barns (d), Chris Conner (b) and her husband, co producer Steve Reid (t). Steve and Chris are featured on "The Lamp Is Low" where the varied tempo makes it fresh. That is the first of many examples of great interaction and warm renditions. Worthy of repeated play!
