Man with a Horn
Artist: Eric Alexander

Eric Alexander can playthe tenor saxophone. Armed with love for the masters and the ability to take their sonic images into his own realm, he is reaching the goal of attaining a personal sound. His tone, ideas and embellishments lie string straight ahead and swinging. His capacity for bluesy, soulful outbursts or fluttery Coltrane-like... Read More

Mark Murphy Sings Nat King Cole & More
Artist: Mark Murphy
Change
Artist: Chick Corea

Following the massive live outpouring of music that marked the debut of Corea's band Origin, this studio album begins to fulfill some of the sextet's possibilities; hence, the completely appropriate title. The front line is unchanged from the live albums (Steve Wilson and Bob Sheppard on reeds and flutes, Steve Davis on trombone), Avishai Cohen... Read More

Winard
Artist: Winard Harper

Exploring his African roots and jazz branches, drummer Harper kicks it good on this wide ranging program. There's plenty to satisfy the most discriminating hard bop fan, and percussive spice that offers contrast. Harper is joined by up-and-coming tenor saxophonist J.D. Allen and trumpeter Patrick Rickman, bassist Eric Revis, the great pianist... Read More

Duke's Place
Artist: George Mraz

On this CD, Mraz has chosen eleven of Duke Ellington's most enduring evergreens, and alternates every other track with either pianists Renee Rosnes or Cyrus Chestnut. They do play together on the title cut, though it's hardly noticable you're hearing "dueling" pianos. There's little stylistic difference between the two on this recording, (vast... Read More

Winter Flower
Artist: Kenny Drew, Jr. Trio

Throughout the 1990s, Kenny Drew, Jr. has continued to grow into a consummate pianist. This diverse trio session kicks off with "Winter Flower," with Drew making full use of the keyboard while showcasing his formidable technique. Also present are classics such as Monk's "Straight, No Chaser" and "Played Twice," a dazzling "Isfahan," and a moody... Read More

Sound of Love
Artist: Tommy Smith

Jazz musicians have provided so many Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn tributes over the years that in the late '90s, one greeted an Ellington/Strayhorn homage with the question, "Do we really need yet another one?" The frustrating thing was how safe many of those tributes continued to be -- instead of taking chances and turning their... Read More

Voice in the Night
Artist: Charles Lloyd

Charles Lloyd teams with a different band here, replacing Bobo Stenson's piano with John Abercrombie's guitar, bassist Anders Jormin with Dave Holland, and drummer Billy Hart with Billy Higgins. The title references the feeling on the album in that Lloyd was going for more of a jazz sound, something more basic and lyrical as opposed to exotic... Read More

Focused
Artist: Billy Cobham
Community Score: 10.00

This is another fine effort from Cobham, who continues to turn out quality recordings that have gone largely unnoticed by both critics and consumers. Beginning with Incoming, Cobham toned down his thunderous approach in favor of a more controlled and complimentary style. His compositions also reflected consideration for the development of his... Read More

A Night at the Village Vanguard - 2 CD SET
Artist: Sonny Rollins

This CD is often magical. Sonny Rollins, one of jazz's great tenors, is heard at his peak with a pair of piano-less trios (either Wilbur Ware or Donald Bailey on bass and Elvin Jones or Pete La Roca on drums) stretching out on particularly creative versions of "Old Devil Moon," "Softly As in a Morning Sunrise," "Sonnymoon for Two," and "A Night... Read More