Beat Mirage
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com June 30, 2024
O's Notes: Korean pianist, composer Mina Cho introduces her Grace Beat Quartet with drummer Yeongjin Kim, bassist Max Ridley, and janggu (an hourglass shaped Korean drum) percussionist Insoo Kim. They play a blend of jazz-fusion and traditional Korean music that is fresh and inviting. Cho’s playing is delicate on the title track and crisp on “Parallel Destiny”. The musical stories are intriguing.
Nonstandard
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com June 30, 2024
O's Notes: Nonstandard is exactly that, a collection of jazz standards that have been electrified to jazz-fusion. Guitarist Nicholas Mycio leads the charge with both mellow and fused melodies. There are 33 minutes of music highlighted by “Stablemates”, “Giant Steps”, “One Finger Snap”, and “Blue In Green”
Silently Held
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com June 30, 2024
O's Notes: Vocalist Chantal Acda performs in front of The Atlantic Drifters, a large ensemble that includes guitarist Bill Frisell, drummer Eric Thielemans, bassist Thomas Morgan, and pianist Jozef Dumoulin. Acda’s voice has a gentle tremolo that imparts sorrowful emotion in her stories. “I Can’t Make You Love Me”, “Above”, and “The Friends Parade” are highlights. Acda challenges listeners to accept minor flaws and imperfections in an intimate encounter.
Just Call It Love
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com June 30, 2024
O's Notes: Just Call It Love is a self-produced collection of jazzy, pop ballads from Dutch vocalist Dennis van Aarssen with pianist Jeff Franzel. Dennis won the 9th Edition of The Voice of Holland in 2019 and this is his fourth recording, the first without a big band. Van Aarssen’s voice is warm, resounding, and inviting on top of several configurations with Franzel combining with bass, violin, and guitar. The duo is impressive, and we suspect they’ll warm many hearts for a while.
Jazz Futura
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com June 30, 2024
O's Notes: Exploding Pig is an Austrian, contemporary band blending jazz, hip-hop and electro-psychedelic music. The members are Luis Bonilla (tb), Fabio Schurischuster (g), Albrecht Klinger (b), and Bernhard Wimmer (d). Jazz Futura is a rather creative set with racy tunes like “Batman On Acid”, “Granny Take Your Pills”, “Rick James Marching Band”, and “Burt Reynolds Once Told Me”. We also enjoyed the mellow “Lebowski Nightflight” featuring Bonilla. There are 20 songs spread across two discs in this creative set.