While My Lady Sleeps
Artist: Phineas Newborn, Jr.

This CD reissue is mostly comprised of a 1957 set featuring the virtuosic pianist Phineas Newborn backed by a string orchestra led by Dennis Farnon. Although not as vital as his usual trio dates and Farnon's string arrangements are not too inspiring, the music is pleasing and finds Newborn in his early prime. Particularly noteworthy are his... Read More

A Little Houston on the Side
Artist: Houston Person

This budget disc from the 32 Jazz label is aptly titled A Little Houston on the Side. It highlights the jazz-soul of tenor saxophonist Houston Person: a leader, sideman, and producer. The material on this compilation comes from Person's stint with the now-defunct Muse label, and was recorded in the '70s, '80s, and early '90s. A Little Houston on... Read More

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
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

Legends of Acid Jazz
Artist: Trudy Pitts

Anyone who likes the B-3 Hammond organ soul-jazz style and doesn't mind a bit of pop-lounge spice occasionally stirred into the sauce should check out this compilation. It combines Pitts' first two LPs, Introducing the Fabulous Trudy Pitts and These Blues of Mine (both from 1967), onto one CD. Introducing is a strong debut, divided between... Read More

Over the Airwaves
Artist: Mark Elf

Elf's latest recording is mostly comprised of standards, but four of the cuts are originals dedicated to jazz radio programmers -- thus the title. The guitarist is appeciative of the help he has received exposing his music, and these tunes are the first wave of several he hopes to write for these dedicated broadcasters. Not that he'd have... Read More