October 2023 MBR The Library CD Shelf

[Midwest Book Review]

The Library CD Shelf

Convergence
Nick Maclean Quartet featuring Brownman Ali
www.NicholasMaclean.com
Browntasauras Records
www.Browntasauras.com
$TBA

Vibrant synergy between four expert musicians elevates the jazz music of Convergence into a rapturous concert. Convergence is the sophomore full-length album of the Nick Maclean Quartet: Nick Maclean on piano, Brownman Ali on trumpet, Ben Duff on acoustic bass, and Jacob Wutzke on drums. (Special guests Mike Downes, Mateo Mancuso, Jesse Dietschi, and Luisito Orbegoso contribute to a few tracks). Convergence consists of eight original songs (seven by Maclean, one by Brownman), plus three re-imagined classic songs by beloved jazz musician and band leader Herbie Hancock. The next best thing to seeing the Nick Maclean Quartet perform live, Convergence is highly recommended for both jazz connoisseurs and public library music CD collections. The tracks are Dolphin Dance, Road Warrior, Brotherhood, Why the Caged Bird Sings, Eye of the Hurricane, True North, Butterfly, Verboten, Lie of Easy Attainment, Fragility of Being, and Wisdom of Aurelius.

The Speed of Time
Andrew Rathbun with Gary Versace, John Hebert, and Tom Rainey
andrewrathbun.com
Steeplechase Records
steeplechase.dk
$19.99 CD / $10.32 MP3

https://www.amazon.com/Speed-Time-Andrew-Rathbun/dp/B0CBNL2BQX

The Speed of Time is an original contemporary jazz album composed by Andrew Rathbun, featuring Rathbun on tenor and soprano saxophone, Gary Versace on piano, John Hebert on bass, and Tom Rainey on drums. The songs showcase exciting permutations in meter and rhythm; each piece has its own special twist. For example, Speed of Time plays simultaneously on two metric planes - half the quartet plays in a cycle of four beats, while the other half plays in a cycle of eleven beats; while Widen the Doorway forms a mirror-image clave in seven (a clave is a rhythmic pattern for temporal organization often used in Cuban music). Velocity Unknown is a song in 9/4 time, although the piano divides the bar in half to make it feel more like 9/8. The Speed of Time is an extraordinary album worthy of the highest recommendation for public library collections, and especially for music connoisseurs interested in creations that push the boundaries of the genre! The tracks are Speed of Time, Could It Be, Widen the Doorway, Wandering, Fast 5th, Velocity Unknown, Still a Thing, and Tooth and Nail.

The Senator: A Tribute to Tommy Banks
Hutchinson Andrew Trio
hatjazz.com
Chronographic Records
https://chronographrecords.com
$12.99 CD / $8.99 MP3

https://www.amazon.com/Senator-Tribute-Tommy-Banks/dp/B0CBQC8KD4

The Senator: A Tribute to Tommy Banks is a jazz album by multiple-award-winning Hutchinson Andrew Trio (Chris Andrew on piano, Kodi Hutchinson on bass, and Dave Laing on drums) with contributions for certain tracks by PJ Perry on saxophone, Al Muirhead on trumpet, and Mallory Chipman performing vocals for "I'll Be Seeing You", "Make Someone Happy", and "All of Me". The album is in honor of Tommy Banks (1936-2018), a world-class pianist, conductor, arranger, and composer. Tommy Banks' multifaceted career transcended music; he was also a TV actor, producer, and a politician who served nearly 12 years in the Canadian Senate. All of the songs on The Senator have been arranged by Chris Andrew. The Senator is an unfettered celebration of a multi-talented genius' life, works, and accomplishments, and is highly recommended for both personal and public library music collections. The tracks are Jig, I'll Be Seeing You, Kerry Dance, Take The A-Train, Make Someone Happy, All of Me, Bank On It, Joy Spring.

Torrent
Satoko Fujii
www.satokofujii.com
Libra Records
$TBA CD / $TBA digital

https://satokofujii.bandcamp.com/album/torrent

Torrent is the ninth solo album by pianist Satoko Fujii, showcasing six original compositions performed with beauty and passion. The music draws the listener into a rich soundscape tour of dream and emotion. Torrent is a treasure for solo piano connoisseurs and public library music collections, highly recommended. The tracks are Torrent, Voyage, Light on the Sea Surface, Cut the Painter, Horizon, and Wave Crest.

Sonic Bouquet
Jocelyn Gould
www.jocelyngould.com
Privately Published
$20.00 CD / $TBA digital

https://www.jocelyngould.com/store

JUNO award-winning guitarist Jocelyn Gould presents Sonic Bouquet, an album of new jazz arrangements of treasured classic songs (and one original song). Roughly half the songs were arranged by Jocelyn Gould, and half were arranged by Randy Napoleon. Supporting Jocelyn Gould's standout guitar performance are Randy Napoleon on guitar, Virginia MacDonald on clarinet, Will Bonness on piano, Rodney Whitaker on bass, and Quincy Davis on drums. A delectable spread of jazz including swing, bebop, blues, and more, Sonic Bouquet is an audiophile's treasure, highly recommended for both personal and public library music collections. The tracks are Trail Blazer (J. Gould), Tender is the Night (Sammy Fain), My Foolish Heart (Victor Young), The Kicker (Joe Henderson), Jessica's Birthday (Quincy Jones), Spring Regardless (R. Napoleon), Last of the Rounders (R. Napoleon), Is That So? (Duke Pearson), and Napoleon's Prelude (R. Napoleon).

A Million Miles Later
Exile
Clearwater Records
$TBA CD / $8.99 MP3

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDCL17XK

A Million Miles Later is the first studio album in 30 years by Exile, who are celebrating their sixtieth anniversary as a country band in 2023. They have reunited along with some longtime collaborators to perform a medley of their most popular songs, their brand new song "Rough Around the Edges", and an unforgettable performance of the classic "Sixteen Tons", originally penned by Mike Travis and made famous by Tennessee Ernie Ford. A Million Miles Later is an absolute "must-have" for fans of Exile's enduring legacy, and highly recommended for both personal and public library country music collections. The tracks are A Million Miles Later, Too Far Gone, After You, Daydreamin', Keep On Pushin', Valentine Sky, This Ain't Nothin', Rough Around The Edges, Nothin' But Sunshine Now, Never Lets Go, Down In Cold Water (featuring The Isaacs), Just To Get Home, Sugar Free, and Sixteen Tons.

No Goodbyes
John Stein
Whaling City Sound
www.whalingcitysound.com
c/o Naxos (distribution)
www.naxosusa.com
$11.89 CD / $8.99 MP3

https://www.amazon.com/No-Goodbyes-John-Stein/dp/B0CDXX8YJR

Guitarist John Stein presents No Goodbyes, his eighteenth recording with collaboration from Ed Lucie on bass, Mike Connors on drums, and Cindy Scott performing vocals. No Goodbyes is an emotionally moving jazz album that swells with courage, perseverance, and dedication. As inspirational as it is entertaining, No Goodbyes is highly recommended. The tracks are Zip Line, Falling Grace, Dig Blues, What If Love Never Dies, Courage, Triste, No Goodbyes, Jardin del Turia, Our Love Will See Us Through, Every Stepping Stone, and Groundswell.

Genesis
The Black Gold Orchestra
Sessions Lane Records
$TBA CD / $8.99 MP3

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFGGDHHK

Genesis is the debut album of The Black Gold Orchestra, a world-class 19-piece big band founded by GRAMMY- nominated producer Larry Wilson. Genesis showcases all types of Black American music, including jazz, R&B, hip hop, house, rock, blues, and gospel, in the style of big band tradition. Featuring both original compositions from band members and new arrangements of classic covers, Genesis is a choice pick for both personal and public library collections, highly recommended. The tracks are Gyau, On The Move, Firm Roots, Midnight Oil, In The Beginning, The Creation, First Sight, Intoxicating Beauty, Prototype, Release, Merging Lanes, and Nutville Remix.

Rezurrektion: String Quartets
Wayne Alpern
www.waynealpern.com
Henri Elkan Music
$TBA CD

Composer, arranger, and scholar Wayne Alpern presents Rezurrektion: String Quartets, an album that transforms and reimagines classic works by Mozart and others. Each classic work has been arranged by Wayne Alpern; the performances are by Chern Hwe Fung and Gregor Huebner on violins, Ron Lawrence on viola, and Jeremy Harmon on cello. Rezurrektion: String Quartets is a dynamic new way to experience timeless works of artistry, highly recommended for both personal and public library collections. The tracks are Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart), G Minor Quartet (Mozart), A Minor Sonata (Mozart), F Major Sonata (Mozart), C Major Sonata (Mozart), Rent/Holberg (Larson/Grieg), Black Beauty (Ellington), and Porgy and Bess (Gershwin).

Diatom Ribbons Live at the Village Vanguard
Kris Davis and the Diatom Ribbons band
Pyroclastic Records
$15.98 CD / $18.98 MP3

https://www.amazon.com/Diatom-Ribbons-Live-Village-Vanguard/dp/B0C4Q51PTL

Diatom Ribbons Live at the Village Vanguard is an album that pianist and composer Kris Davis and the Diatom Ribbons band (Terri Lyne Carrington on drums, Val Jeanty on electronic instruments and turntables, Travor Dunn on bass, and new band member Julian Lage on guitar) performed before a live audience at the end of a weeklong club stint. Adventurous and explosive, Diatom Ribbons Live at the Village Vanguard is an unforgettable jazz celebration, highly recommended! Three particularly standout -songs are the "Bird Suite" trio, which are inspired by the saxophone performances of the legendary Charlie Parker and from recorded bird calls. The tracks are Alice in the Congo, Nine Hats, The Dancer, VW, Dolores (Take 1), Bird Suite Pt 1: Kingfisher, Endless Columns, Bird Suite Pt 2: Bird Call Blues, Bird Suite Pt 3: Parasitic Hunter, Brainfeel, and Dolores (Take 2).

Shaping the Invisible
Teri Parker
teriparkermusic.com
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $TBA digital

https://teriparker.bandcamp.com/album/shaping-the-invisible

Pianist Teri Parker presents Shaping the Invisible, her sophomore album as a bandleader. The original contemporary jazz songs (most of which were composed by Parker herself) feature Teri Parker on piano, Luis Deniz on alto and soprano saxophones, Andrew McAnsh on trumpet, Mark Godfrey on bass, and Ernesto Cervini on drums. An enthralling, adventurous studio recording of jazz-club-tested music, Shaping the Invisible is a treat for connoisseurs of modern-day jazz, highly recommended. The tracks are Becoming, Humph, K.T.T. Bass Intro, Kitchen Timer Tune, Desolate Places, Segment (composed by Charlie Parker), Paw Prints, Retrograde (composed by James Blake), and Strolling.

Wild Child
Charlotte Morris
www.charlottemorrismusic.com
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3

https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Child-Charlotte-Morris/dp/B0CCQLNT18

Charlotte Morris presents Wild Child, an original country music album with inspiration from folk and Americana. Wild Child is Morris' first album since moving to Music City (also known as Nashville, Tennessee); the songs resonate with the intensity, curiosity, and boldness of a wild child grown into a wild woman! Wild Child is adventurous, heartfelt, and highly recommended especially for connoisseurs of modern-day country. The tracks are Tennessee, Your Number One, Love Ain't Real, Wild Child, Good Kind of Hurt, Breathe, The Day We Lost You, Time Will Tell, If My Heart Had a Say, and This Time 'Round.

The Diva Jazz Orchestra "30": Live at Dizzy's Club
The Diva Jazz Orchestra
www.divajazz.com
Privately Published
$17.99 CD / $TBA digital

https://divajazz.com/product/the-diva-jazz-orchestra-30

A fold-out cardboard sleeve full of photographs and a paper insert with comments on song selections enhances the physical CD of The Diva Jazz Orchestra "30": Live at Dizzy's Club, an album celebrating the band's 30 years of performances. The song selection for this special celebratory live performance showcases band and fan favorites - widely beloved classic songs that transcend the era of their creation. The Diva Jazz Orchestra "30": Live at Dizzy's Club is a choice pick for audiophile connoisseurs who appreciate world-class talent, highly recommended. The tracks are Something's Coming, In a Mellow Tone, Here's to Life, I'm Gonna Go Fishin', Every Day I Have the Blues, I Feel Pretty, Three Sisters and a Cousin, A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, Inka Dinka Doo, and Airmail Special.

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Midwest Book Review