Sunsh Stein
Sunsh’s Contributions
October 1999 Briefs
Unspoken Words
Paul Kendall
Presenting swinging standards, saxophonist Paul Kendall fronts two different organ-drum trios. These are classic jazz renderings of classic tunes. Kendall hits some nice low tones on "Tenderly," and plays liltingly on "Triste." Bobby Forrester's organ drives...
October 1999 Briefs
Reunion with Vince Maggio
Mark Colby
Saxophonist Mark Colby and his longtime friend, pianist Vince Maggio, show their divine compatibility on this sometimes charged and heartfelt date. The moving "Gonna Laugh You Right Out of My Life," and springy "Airegin," exemplify this duet's fine understanding...
September 1999 Briefs
Southern Shadows
Jomarie Payton
Crossbreeding funk with a big band sound, TV actress JoMarie Payton delivers a lively, full of surprises recording. Arranger Billy Mitchell mixes string synth, electric bass and backup singers with a piano and a full complement of horns. Payton's voice rises...
September 1999 Briefs
Home Bass Duos and Trios
Tom Knific
Bassist Tom Knific and some buddies, including Gene Bertoncini, Billy Hart and Andy LaVerne, serve up tasty, cozy and melodious duos and trios; they can also get raucous, as they do on the title tune. The choice of material and the instrumental combinations...
September 1999 Briefs
Well You Needn't Standards, Vol. 1
Chris Greco
Chris Greco moves smoothly between tenor and soprano saxes, flute, clarinet and bass clarinet, showing his versatility on this 1995 recording. Tackling Monk, Mingus, Shorter, Ellington and others, Greco and his trio show a satisfying affinity for each other...
May 1999 Briefs
Lucy's Day Off
Carol Chaikin
And a good time was had by all might describe this recording date. Alto saxophonist Carol Chaikin's enthusiasm rings loud with her funky playing, and travels through to her bandmates, pouring out of the guitar, synthesizers, organ, bass, drums, piano and...
May 1999 Briefs
Window Up Window Down
Matthias Lupri Quartet
Sometimes Matthias Lupri's vibes get lost in these saxophone dominated pieces. Not that the sax is displeasing so much as the vibes offer a harmonic more diversified sound and a filling presence. Lupri's compositions, inspired by observations of the street...
May 1999 Briefs
Swing Team
Astrid Cowan
This recording illustrates the axiom that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Although each player contributes pleasing solos, it's the whole package that makes pianist Astrid Cowan's recording an enjoyable straight-ahead listen. Mixing Latin...
May 1999 Briefs
The Duchess
Doris Spears
Vocalist Doris Spears comes on like gangbusters with "Evil Gal Blues," then switches gears becoming an even-tempered chanteuse. Her smooth ballad singing hides the textures her opening tune exposes and makes you long for more blues. But she cranks it up...
January/February 1999 Briefs
After All These Years
Gradie Stone
Polished and professional spring to mind to describe this outing by vocalist Gradie Stone. It's also spirited, swinging and heartfelt, both in her delivery and that of her musicians. This roster of standards with a few oddball tunes, sung and played in a...
November 1998 Briefs
More Double Bass
Nabil Totah
Bassist Nabil Totah simultaneously presents his credentials and pays homage to a forebear of his instrument on the opener of this recording, Oscar Pettiford's "Laverne Walk." Totah continues to display his pizzicato and arco dexterity thoughout this collection...
November 1998 Briefs
When Music Calls
Anton Schwartz
Laying down lyrical lines, saxophonist Anton Schwartz leads the way as he and his accomplished quartet of fellow Bay Area musicians deliver a limber easy-on-the-ears recording. Schwartz shows his command of his tenor with a smooth tones that conveys the...
October 1998 Briefs
Portraits
Brian Trainor
In musically saluting people who've had an impact on him pianist Brian Trainor exposes aspects of his intellectual and emotional life. Whether interpreting other people's compositions ("In Walked Bud,""Mr. PC."), or playing his own tributes ("Baldwin...
October 1998 Briefs
The Salty River
John Brackeff
John Brackett appears to be a talented musician, playing several instruments and singing in a pleasant tenor. On this release he plays and sings a mix of probable originals and some pop, although tunes are credited to publishers rather than writers. Much...
June 1998 Briefs
P.M.
Tim Lekan Trio
This trio has touches of Jarrett, Peacock and DeJohnette. But instead of Jarrett's "vocalizing," bassist Tim Lekan gives us the voice of singer Gina Roch on several cuts. Lekan, the composer of all the pieces on this recording, is on his way to developing...
May 1998 Briefs
Cat's Cradle
Mary Dipaola-Davis Trio
Pianist Mary DiPaola-Davis smoothly leads a trio of compatriots from Hartt School of Music through a collection of standards and originals. She shows herself to be an able player and composer who's in tune with her bandmates. They include trombonist Steve...
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