Bassics
March 2006 By Ron Wynn
Late August
IACUESSA
The bristling Afro-Cuban rhythms and precise, emphatic playing on Gregg August's debut release make it special--and much more than a disjointed, unconnected set of tunes. Instead, there's a conceptual unity that links these cuts despite the fact that all...
March 2006 By Ron Wynn
Connections
CIMP Recordings
Michael Bisio's clear, declarative accompaniment and overall skill as a bassist, coupled with the equally decisive, alternately animated and reflective playing of saxophonists Avram Fefer and Stephen Gauci, are the strong points on this set featuring mostly...
March 2006 By Ron Wynn
Suite for John A. Williams
Dreambox Media
John A. Williams' books have often incorporated the fabric of jazz to make cogent and compelling points about critical issues. Tyrone Brown has assembled an unusual configuration to pay tribute to the author. The keyboard is excluded from the usual rhythm...
March 2006 By Ron Wynn
Traveller
Fresh Sound New Talent
The vast majority of Arthur Kell's The Traveller is entertaining, delightful music, and even the few tracks that aren't quite as interesting are still very well executed. The only thing that keeps this from being a uniformly exciting work are a handful of...
March 2006 By Ron Wynn
Zero Degrees Music
CIMP Recordings
Adam Lane is unquestionably a wonderful bassist, and also a versatile one. He demonstrates these capabilities on this rather unusual trio outing. While the pianoless trio isn't a new format, this one includes in its ranks one of the most dominating saxophonists...
March 2006 By Ron Wynn
Swinging the Blues
Arbors Records
Veteran bassist Earl May demonstrates a lot more stylistic versatility than might be expected on this 13-song debut. He certainly excels on the prerock standards and swing staples, particularly the Basie/Durham title cut as well as "Tea for Two," "My Foolish...
March 2006 By Ron Wynn
Bill Moring and Way Out East
Apria
The opening passages of the cut "Ornettology" signal that this recording from Bill Moring and his Way Out East group isn't going to be remotely business as usual. Trumpeter Jack Walrath's tune has both a jagged melody and an arrangement that elicits fierce...
March 2006 By Ron Wynn
Puttin' On the Ritz
Nagel-Heyer
There's such closeness and affinity among the members of the Lynn Seaton Trio that there's almost no clearly delineated leader operating here. Seaton, pianist Stephen Anderson and drummer Joel Fountain mesh steadily on any and everything they play, whether...
March 2006 By Ron Wynn
Going Dutch
Twinz
He's long been regarded among Europe's finest bassists, and Joris Teepe does nothing to hurt his reputation on Going Dutch, his seventh release as a leader. While mainly a showcase for his writing facility, the band also does two credible if a bit unusual...
July/August 2005 By Ron Wynn
Metal
Artistry Music
Brian Bromberg's latest spotlights his prodigious ability in the world of rock/fusion. He tunes his piccolo bass an octave and a fourth above conventional basses, and he overdubs it like a lead instrument over electric bass parts, successfully creating the...
