Phantom of the City
Artist: Joe Chambers

Drummer Joe Chambers works with an intriguing lineup on this 1991 quintet set. Young lion trumpeter Phillip Harper teams with journeyman Bob Berg, who holds his own with the lyrical, energetic Harper. Chambers never hurries or crowds the soloists, and he interacts easily and fully with pianist George Cables and bassist Santi Debriano. ~ Ron... Read More

Sweet Thunder
Artist: Fred Hess
Setting the Standard
Artist: Dave Liebman
Bye Bye Blackbird
Artist: Keith Jarrett
Community Score: 9.00

This is the Keith Jarrett/Gary Peacock/Jack DeJohnette Trio's elegy for their former employer Miles Davis, recorded only 13 days after the maestro's death. The lonely figure in shadow with a horn on the cover contrasts with the joyous spirit of many of the tracks on this CD, yet there is still a ghostly presence to deal with -- and in keeping... Read More

Art & Aviation
Artist: Jane Ira Bloom

Art & Aviation is not only one of Jane Ira Bloom's finest albums, it is also a remarkably successful (and fairly early) attempt to bring electronic influences to bear on acoustic jazz. Bloom's writing is strongly infused with a straightahead jazz aesthetic. But she veers left on many cuts, altering her soprano sax sound with live electronics and... Read More

Ascendant
Artist: String Trio of New York
The Cure
Artist: Keith Jarrett

Sure, the Keith Jarrett Trio of the '80s and '90s recorded way too much music for the casual fan to absorb. But one's reservations fade when confronted with the sheer creativity and empathy that the trio displayed in this gorgeously recorded live date at New York's Town Hall. As in several albums before, the emphasis for Jarrett, Gary Peacock... Read More

Bill Evans: Tribute to the Great Post-Bop Pianist
Artist: Paul Motian
Community Score: 10.00

Having been Bill Evans' drummer during the pianist's prime, early-'60s period, Paul Motian is the right person to record a Evans' tribute album; a recording that fits right in with Motian's recent spate of jazz repertory releases (Monk In Motian, the On Broadway series). But the obligatory nature of the record ends there, as Motian, tenor... Read More

Wide Open Spaces
Artist: Michael Formanek

Bassist Michael Formanek, who contributed all 15 selections to this CD (some of which are quite brief), utilizes an adventurous quintet also including Greg Osby on alto and soprano, violinist Mark Feldman, guitarist Wayne Krantz, and drummer Jeff Hirshfield. The very distinctive voices of Osby and Feldman, the quirky melodies (some of which... Read More

Extended Animation
Artist: Michael Formanek

Bassist Michael Formanek's second album continues the pattern established on his debut. He features mostly originals and keeps things moving with varied rhythms and arrangements that don't emphasize any particular style. He's assisted by guitarist Wayne Krantz, violinist Mark Feldman, and drummer Jeff Hirschfield. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide Read More

Tethered Moon
Artist: Gary Peacock