Cliff Dance
Artist: King & Moore
Fly Rite
Artist: Giacomo Gates

Male jazz singers seemed like a endangered species in the 1980s and 1990s; for every noteworthy male jazz singer who came along, there seemed to be 50 to 100 women who were taking up jazz singing. The very fact that Giacomo Gates was a jazz-singing male in the 1990s made you want to at least check him out and satisfy your curiosity, and... Read More

Combustication
Artist: Medeski, Martin & Wood
Community Score: 8.00

As the only jazz band to be accepted by the neo-hippies of the HORDE '90s, Medeski, Martin & Wood pulled off the strange coup of being embraced by rock and jazz audiences, who both loved their endless improvisations. They managed to walk the fine line dividing between the two camps, as their funkified soul-jazz was self-referential and cerebral,... Read More

When Alto Was King
Artist: C.I. Williams

This is journeyman alto saxophonist C.I. Williams' first album as a leader in 25 years. Essentially a swing player with deep roots in the blues, Williams has a rich, languorous tone reminiscent of Johnny Hodges. This is most evident on a handful of straight-out blues, including two originals and the Ellington/Hodges classic "Jeep's Blues."... Read More

Disposable Income
Artist: Western Michigan University Jazz Orchestra

The multi-award winning W.M.U. program is head and shoulders above most collegiate big bands because director Trent Kynaston molds his students by challenging them to play more than just standard fare. Compositions and arrangements come from a variety of sources; Matt Catingub, Horace Silver, Kenny Werner, Jim McNeely, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny,... Read More

Pastels
Artist: Vic Juris

A good quartet release, featuring Juris on guitar, Phil Markowitz on piano, Jay Anderson on bass, and Matt Wilson on drums. Juris' originals range from the angular free bop of "Mergatroid" to the breezy jazz waltz of "Sim 95," to the dark balladry of "Berlin" and the intriguing 7/4 syncopation of "Bravo Rio" (the latter two performed beautifully... Read More

Vocalise
Artist: Judi Silvano

Although Judi Silvano shows that she can sing words beautifully, the emphasis on this adventurous set (her debut as a leader) is on her wordless vocalizing. With the assistance of guitarist Vic Juris, bassist Drew Gress, drummer Bob Meyer, and sometimes her husband Joe Lovano (on tenor and, on one tune, drums), trumpeter Dave Ballou and Oscar... Read More

Dark Shadows
Artist: Eddie Henderson

Although overlooked in jazz polls, trumpeter Eddie Henderson (who made his initial impression during the late 1960s/early '70s), recorded some of his final records as a leader in the mid-1990s. For this set, Henderson works quite well with vibraphonist Joe Locke (who also doubles on his atmospheric marimba) and a fine rhythm section during a... Read More

Turn Out the Stars: Final Village Vanguard Recordings
Artist: Bill Evans

Just three months before his death, pianist BIll Evans was extensively recorded at the Village Vanguard. Originally, one or two LPs were to be released featuring his brilliant new trio (with bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Joe LaBarbera), but after the innovative pianist's death, the project was stalled for over 15 years. Finally, when Warner... Read More

The Heart Speaks
Artist: Terence Blanchard

Although trumpeter Terence Blanchard gets first billing on this recording, it is very much a joint effort with singer-composer Ivan Lins. Not only are all 13 songs by Lins but he sings on all but the three instrumentals although sometimes just wordlessly in the background. Blanchard often harmonizes with Lins' voice, creating a melancholy and... Read More

Remembering
Artist: Dirk Damonte
Community Score: 10.00

Dirk Damonte, with his debut release on Magic Wing, Remembering, has selected 12 romantic piano solos. Among them are Gershwin's "Summertime" and "Someone to Watch Over Me," along with some Damonte originals. Solo piano enthusiasts will appreciate his elegant performance of each piece. Damonte succeeds in expressing the timeless romantic quality... Read More

Mark Murphy Sings Nat King Cole & More
Artist: Mark Murphy