VIU
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com July 1, 2023
O's Notes: Spanish vocalist Helena Camps makes her debut with Viu, a set of contemporary, jazz ballads with meaningful lyrics, that will appeal to a wide audience. Helena’s integration with her band is great, especially on tunes like “It Might As Well Be Spring” with trumpeter Pol Omedes standing out. Other highlights are “Chovendo Na Roseira”, “We Need A Change”, and “El Teu Verd” featuring guitarist Miguel de RIBA.
Many Worlds
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com July 1, 2023
O's Notes: Bassist, composer Scott Petito assembles a team of all-star musicians to perform mostly (7 of 8), original compositions on Many Worlds. We liked “Mr. Peanut” with Bob Mintzer (sax), Mike Mainieri (vibes) and Steve Gadd (d), “The Alchemist” with Randy Brecker (t), and “Bombogenesis”. Petico shines throughout the set especially when he plays piccolo bass.
Time Flies
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com July 1, 2023
O's Notes: Drummer Steve Smith is back in action with his band, Vital Information for Time Flies. They are a trio featuring pianist Manuel Valera and bassist Janet Gwizdala. The sound is large, and the groove is infectious on the opener “Emergence”, fueled by Smith and running through the entire band. There is excellent work by all three musicians on “Tempus Fugue It”. Guest saxophonist George Garzone comes in on the title track with a more relaxed pace and then drops down another notch on “Self Portrait”. The tempo changes but the groove remains stable over twelve selections for an hour of prime entertainment. Standouts are “What Is This Thing Called Love” and “No Qualm” featuring guest Mike Mainers on vibes. The Bonus Disc is a jam session featuring the trio with Garzone in an 8-part jazz-fusion experience titled “A Prayer For The Generations”.
BrutaLoveChamp
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com July 1, 2023
O's Notes: Guitarist, bandleader Brandon Seabrook was searching for answers when his composed this album, swimming in a sea of chaos. We hear that! They start with an edgy, jazz-fusion on “Brutalovechamp” before the large ensemble kicks in. There’s an air of suspense on “I Want to Be Chlorophylled II”, a theme that meanders through the session. Then there’s the eclectic, almost silly “Gutbucket Asylum”. We look forward to the reconciliation.