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04/01/19
JORDAN DIXON/On!: Becoming an integral part of the DC jazz scene since grabbing his diploma in 2016, Jordan is a hard swinging, hard bopping sax man that reveres tradition without being bound to it. Tasty stuff that's mostly original, he's a sharp, happening new voice that makes it clear he demands to be heard. Solid stuff from a new cat that's going to be here for a while. Well done.
PABLO LANOUGUERE QUINTET/Eclectico: A South American bass ace that's called New York home since 2013 hasn't lost his world wide eclecticism as he puts forth the jazzy kind of debut that prides itself on knowing no boundaries. Swinging consistently, he leads his crew through a wondrous mix of sounds, styles and modes, often in the same tune, and you can have a grand time playing pick the peg for his influences and attitudes. The fun side of world jazz that is here for the party---in grand style.
PROFESSOR LOUIE & THE CROMATIX/Songs of Inspiration: In which we find the real Woodstock All Stars gathering by the water as a Jewish kid from New York gets back to his roots, the ones that grew in his misspent youth entering the music business with a gospel group. Serving up a rootsy, rocking version of his fave gospel and inspirational tunes, you'd believe he's washed in the blood the way he leads the gang in raising the roof here. Much like the modern crop of white boys with the blues, the maestro isn't manqueing around here delivering the goods without pause. Killer stuff.
(Woodstock 63)
ROMAIN COLLIN/Tiny Lights: The first part of a trilogy, this might be forwarding thinking electro jazz but it has new age spirit at it's core. A wildly careening opus, this is Collin's impressionistic look at the journey to the soul and all the unpredictable twists and turns it takes. Jon Weber hears the future percolating on his set and you'll be sure that he's really feeling it. Moldy figs won't get it but the kids are sure to find this alright.
(XM/Revive)
GEORGE FREEMAN/George the Bomb!: You don't give this guy a pass for being in his 90s. The guitar ace doesn't need a pass. Still standing after standing on the bandstand with Charlie Parker a few years ago, he's just as progressive now as he was then and he's still looking forward. With a contemporary sound behind him that doesn't need to bend the knee to anything, this set is an experiment that works and he's more than a legend as this set easily proves. Another well done outing from the master.
(Southport 148)
MARY LANE/Travelin' Woman: When you've got guys like Bobby Rush and Buddy Guy pointing to Lane as part of the end of the line of the northern migration blues singers, you know the end is in sight and it's time to appreciate what we have while we have it. Making only her second record in the last 20 years, and of her career, she was always a staple live but never really had the chance to click on wax. This time around, Jim Tullio leads the charge of the ‘youngsters' rallying around her to send this set to the top of all the charts that have ‘blues' in their headings. Pure, old school rollicking west side stuff, even it's by way of Arkansas and Waukegan, it's down home all the way with no dust on it anywhere. Great stuff from someone whose time is overdue and has finally come.
(Women of the Blues 1)
CROWD COMPANY/Live at the Jazz Café: A sassy, soulful funky bunch, this crew makes saxy ladies like Candy Dulfer and Saskia Laroo positively sound like grande dames. Youthful Brits as opposed to Dutch treats, you can feel this blue eyed soul got it's pointers from Joss Stone as they expertly tear it up with an old school energy that feels like a Stax or Motown revue heating things up across the pond. Deliciously killer stuff that hit's the bulls eye.
(Vintage League 8)
ALEX SILL/Experiences Real and Imaginary: As a fourth generation of Sills enters the family business, we find that this one is a smoking guitarist that had the good fortune to be mentored and pal around with some of the great of the last two generations. It rubbed off well. A nu generation fusion set that he took his time putting together, whether from rocker or jazzbo, lessons taught him in a most formidable crucible have been well learned and digested. This kid didn't need Dave Grusin hanging around to show him how to make music both commercial and meaty. It's flat out killer stuff throughout.
Volume 43/Number 162
April 1, 2019
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
Copyright 2019 Midwest Record
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