Path of Seven Colors
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com September 30, 2021
O's Notes: Drummer and composer Ches Smith and his band We All Break put together a masterful collection of African rhythms, traditional Haitian vodou, and jazz with mixed vocal lyrics in Haitian Creole. Essential English translations in the liner notes bring the messages to life, stark realities of our neighboring country, expressed with music. Sirene Dantor Rene’s voice is beautiful fluttering with the Matt Mitchell’s piano on “Leaves Arrive”. The natural percussive vibe comes from master drummers Daniel Brevil, Markus Schwartz and Fanfan Jean Guy Rene. We enjoyed “Women of Iron” and a taste of wilderness on “Path of Seven Colors”. Miguel Zenón (a-sax) and Nick Dunston (b) round out the band for Path of Seven Colors. The package includes a bonus disc with seven percussive instrumentals featuring We All Break 2015.
Influence
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com September 30, 2021
O's Notes: The Philadelphia child prodigy, guitarist Bob Sabellico is now based in Nashville where he released Influence, a collection of 13 fresh contemporary jazz originals. The music is racy, upbeat jazz-fusion featuring Sabellico’s original work throughout. He is joined by several drummers including Dennis Chambers, Will Kennedy and Terry Silverlight, with Michael Whittaker on keyboards and saxophonist Jeff Scot Wills. The beats are straight forward supporting a jovial mood. Highlights are “Spearmint Or Fruit”, “PFIC”, “Disfunktion”, the happy go lucky “Another Day at the Office” and our favorite “Morningtide”.
Upstream
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com September 30, 2021
O's Notes: Upstream is an upbeat modern jazz set featuring Russian trumpeter Alex Sipiagin with pianist Art Hirahara, bassist Boris Kozlov and Rudy Royston on drums. They perform a balanced set with strength at all tempos. The music is mostly originals composed by the band members. Highlights are “Echo Canyon”, “Shura”, “Sight”, Miyako” - the lone cover, and the title track.
Solar Flash
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com September 30, 2021
O's Notes: Jazz fusion drummer Asaf Sirkis presents a space bound musical journey with a trio including keyboardist Gary Husband and bassist Kevin Glasgow on Solar Flash. Special guests vocalist Sylwia Bialas and guitarist Mark Wingfield appear on three selections each and together on “Aquila”. We also enjoyed “Polish Suite, Part One” and “For Eric” dedicated to drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt.
<3 Bird
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com September 30, 2021
O's Notes: Chinese saxophonist and producer Kevin Sun leads a band with Max Light (g), Christian Li (p), Walter Stinson (b), Adam O’Farrill (t) and Matt Honor (d). <3 Bird is a collection of mostly original music by Sun, all inspired by the genius of Charlie Parker. Kevin uses borrowed melodies, rhythms and harmonies from Parker in his interpretations, an excellent foundation to build on! It was released on Parker’s 101st Birthday 9/29/21 and ushers his music and likeness into yet another generation. Sun has good chops and we enjoyed hearing Light and Honor stay on pace with his fleeting work on “Onomatopoeia”. Other highlights are “Du Yi’s Choir”, “Schaaple from the Appel” and “Salt Peanuts”.