November 2023 MBR The Library CD Shelf

[Midwest Book Review]

The Library CD Shelf

Spring Comes Early
John Herberman
johnherberman.com
Ceola Records
$TBA CD / $7.92 MP3

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJ1GWZTD

Award-nominated music artist John Herberman composed and arranged all of the multi-instrumental jazz songs in Spring Comes Early. Spring Comes Early features John Herberman on piano and Rhodes keyboard, and a grand entourage of contributions from additional performers on saxophones, flugelhorn, trumpet, electric guitar, vibraphone, acoustic and electric bass, drums, cello, and more. The extraordinary musical confluence resonates with the artistry of a concert performance. Spring Comes Early is a choice pick for both personal and public library jazz collections, worthy of the highest recommendation. The tracks are Courtenay Circle, Central Park West, Not The Blues, Modalities, Gentle Giant, Spring Comes Early, St. James Town, and Ballad for M.T.

Now or Never
Girls Next Door
https://www.girlsnextdoormusic.com
Privately Published
$15.00 CD

https://www.girlsnextdoormusic.com/gnd-store/p/girls-next-door-now-or-never-cd

Girls Next Door is an all-female vocal group who have reunited to share their talent with the world, after taking a decades- long break from the music scene to raise children and care for family. Now or Never is their latest album, beautifully showcasing their talent and harmony with support from a variety of musicians. A treasure through and through, Now or Never is highly recommended and also makes an excellent gift. The tracks are What's This Thing (You've Got Against Leaving), Glow in the Dark, When the Water's Down, She's Gone, Shades of Gray, If God Was a Woman, and Livin' in the Rain.

With Peter Bradley: Soundtrack and Original Score
Javon Jackson
javonjackson.com
Solid Jackson Records
$16.98 CD / $9.49 MP3

https://www.amazon.com/Peter-Bradley-Javon-Jackson/dp/B0BZZMZHBR

With Peter Bradley: Soundtrack and Original Score is the score to the art world documentary "With Peter Bradley", performed by the quartet Javon Jackon on saxophone, Jeremy Manasia on piano, David Williams on bass, and Charles Goold on drums along with guest trumpeter Greg Glassman. Javon Jackson, a longtime friend of Peter Bradley, composed the score to reflect a wide range of emotions and life experiences, as befits the long and creative career of a talented artist. (Four of the tracks are bonus gifts that were not part of the film's original soundtrack or score.) With Peter Bradley: Soundtrack and Original Score is a masterpiece worthy of a place on personal and public library shelves, in addition to the documentary film. Highly recommended! The tracks are Peter Bradley, The Game, Brother G, Edith Ramsey, Amy's Theme, 1 Plus 1, Easy Peasy, On the Move, Never Let Me Go, In the Studio, C.B., That's Earl Brother, Mr. Parker, That's It, In the Clouds, and "D" Town.

Night Birds
Sara Serpa & Andre Matos
www.saraserpa.com
www.andrewmatos.com
Robalo Music
www.robalomusic.com
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCF36J1F

Vocalist Sara Serpa and guitarist Andre Matos, an album of original compositions, improvisations, and a Bartok bagatelle. Additional talented performers lend their mastery of piano/synth, drums, voice, and cello to various individual tracks. The songs have a strong eco-centric message, questioning excessive consumption and the destructive exploitation of natural ecosystems. Night birds is evocative, beautiful, and highly recommended especially for personal and public library music collections. The tracks are From a Distance, Carlos, Melting Ice, Family, Night Birds, Counting, Underwater, Degrowth, Bergman's Island, Lost Whale, Watching You Grow, and Bagatelle Op.6: Lento.

Aspenrose: Live at the Opera House
Herb Silverstein
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFRZV2S5

Aspenrose: Live at the Opera House is a jazz album featuring Herb Silverstein on piano and Michael Ross on bass. The original songs resonate with expression, craft, and emotion drawn from the highs and lows of everyday life. Aspenrose: Live at the Opera House is a choice pick for personal and public library jazz collections, highly recommended. The tracks are Happy Daze, Monday Morning, My Way or the Highway, My Four Legged Girlfriend, Si Senorita, our Little Secret, Synchrony, SB Blues, She Only Has Eyes for Herb, Waiting by the Window, Helix 49, and Zorro.

Nohmad
Seulah Noh Jazz Orchestra
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $15.00 digital

https://seulahnoh.bandcamp.com/album/nohmad

South Korea-born pianist, composer, and conductor Seulah Noh presents Nohmad, her debut album of six original compositions and two arrangements. Supported by a jazz orchestra that includes both a string quartet and a traditional 17- piece big band, Seulah Noh has created a resonant masterpiece of sweeping emotion. Nohmad is highly recommended for both personal and public library music collections. The tracks are L'illusionniste (feat. Song Yi Jeon), Arrogant or Elegant, Hear the Light (feat. Astghik Martirosyan), Heartsong, Traveler's Suite: I. 6829 Miles, Traveler's Suite: II. A Letter From Me, Traveler's Suite: III. Sail at Dawn, have You Heart (feat. Kan Yanabe), and L'illusionniste (Alternate Take).

Chronicling the Times
Leon Rosselson
Free Dirt Records
www.freedirt.net
$14.98 CD / $8.99 MP3

https://www.amazon.com/Chronicling-Times-Leon-Rosselson/dp/B0CG3WSFPY

English musician and political satirist Leon Rosselson presents Chronicling the Times, a collection of seventeen of Rosselson's favorite songs from his repertoire throughout the decades. The music and lyrics hold nothing back on charged political topics of modern history, as well as biting criticism of powerful leaders. Chronicling the Times is music not only as an art, but also as a powerful message for social change, and highly recommended. The tracks are Songs of the Old Communist; Stand Firm; Across the Hills; Ballad of a Spycatcher; Flower Power = Bread; She Was Crazy, He Was Mad; Topside Down Party; Rules of the Game; Postcards from Cuba; Bringing the News from Nowhere; General Lockjaw Briefs the Troops; Where Are the Barricades?; Talking Democracy Blues; Wo Sind Die Elefanten?; World Turned Upside Down (Part 2); The Ghost of Georges Brassens; and Stand Up for Judas.

We've Got Nothing
Peripheral Vision
peripheralvisionmusic.com
Step 3
$TBA CD / $6.93 MP3

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CG8NTKK4

We've Got Nothing is the second live jazz album by Peripheral Vision (Trevor Hogg on tenor saxophone, Don Scott on guitar, Michael Herring on bass, and Nick Fraser on drums) and their sixth full length release. All compositions are by Don Scott and Michael Herring. The songs are selected from the band's finest live performances between January and April 2023. Elements of rock, classical, and improv are reflected in this creative, instrumental collection, highly recommended especially for connoisseurs of the genre. The tracks are Close the Paper and Play, Standing on Two Feet, Full Disclosure Comedy Vehicle, Cone of Silence, Goodbye Heintzman, I've Got Nothing, and The Mask Has Become the Face.

Gradient
Jesse Dietschi Trio
jessedietschi.com
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CH3YJRL6

Gradient is a completely original contemporary jazz album by the Jesse Dietschi Trio (Jesse Dietschi on bass, Ewen Farncombe on piano, and Ethan Ardelli on drums). The instrumental songs are all composed by Jesse Dietschi. Gradient draws upon elements of orchestral and chamber music to craft its mind-expanding soundscapes; the songs invoke a wide range of emotions, from joyous celebration to placid introspection. Gradient is a treasure for connoisseurs of modern instrumental jazz, highly recommended. The tracks are It's What It's, The Road Home, Both/And, Loose Plug, Lake Effect, Canmore, Waxing Nostalgic, The Process of Perspective, Archetype, and The New Normal.

Migrations
Allison Au with the Migrations Ensemble
allisonau.com
Privately Published
$20.00 CAD CD / $10.00 CAD digital

https://allisonau.bandcamp.com/album/migrations

Migrations is an original contemporary jazz album written in tribute to people who leave their homes in search of a better life in a new land. All compositions, arrangements, and orchestrations are by Allison Au. Allison Au performs on alto and soprano saxophones, with members of the Migrations Ensemble lending their talents with vocals, piano, acoustic and electric bass, drums, vibraphone, violin, viola, and cello. The result is a complex creation interwoven with elements of musical diversity, reflecting the phenomenon of migration itself. Highly recommended! The tracks are The Choice, Prayer, The ISM, Progress, Aves Raras, Racing Across the Land, For Russel and Rowena Jelliffe, Them intro, Them, Keep a Few Embers From The Fire, Migration, Pecola, and I Dream A World.

Country
Alex Miller
alexmillercountry.com
Billy Jam Records
$15.00

https://www.alexmillermerch.com

Country is a five-track EP album by singer/songwriter and guitarist Alex Miller. Contributions from additional musicians on drums, bass, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, fiddle, steel guitar, keyboards, and harmony vocals enrich Country. Emotional and passionate, Country is a choice pick for fans of the genre and highly recommended. The tracks Girl, I Know a Guy; When God Made The South; Every Time I Reach For You, Puttin' Up Hay; and Gettin' Lucky in Kentucky.

Cup
AeTopus
Spotted Peccary Music
www.SpottedPeccary.com
$16.99 CD / $9.49 MP3

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJMVH831

Titled after a Zen parable, Cup is a reflective album by electronic music artist AeTopus. The instrumental music weaves together electronic beats, complex time signatures, and an internal wellspring of serenity to create a soundscape of solace and introspection. A truly beautiful work that encourages the listener to expand their horizons, Cup is highly recommended especially to connoisseurs of new age and electronic music. The tracks are Pure, Clean Break, Beam, Relic, Sygna, Drue, They Know, Glance, Access, Sundial, Advent, Memento, and Softgreen.

Built In System: Live in New York
Chien Chien Lu
Giant Step Arts, Ltd.
$TBA CD / $10.00 digital

https://chienchienlu.bandcamp.com/album/built-in-system-2

Composer and vibraphone player Chien Chien Lu presents Built In System: Live in New York, a music album showcasing her phenomenal talent. Chien Chien Lu composed all eight tracks, and masterfully plays vibraphone with fellow band members Jeremy Pelt on trumpet, Richie Goods on bass, and Allan Mednard on drums. The complex themes of Built In System reflect the tangled weave of fate, as well as Chien Chien Lu's respect for the value of cultural inheritance. Built In System: Live in New York is an expressive, emotional treasure, highly recommended especially for vibraphone music connoisseurs. The tracks are Boulanger's Variation, Hslu Chin, Traumerei, Chun Yi, Special Things, Percussion Song (The Wheel of Fate), Just Listen, and Full Moonlight.

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Midwest Book Review