Music Review: Three Outstanding Jazz Records from Mark Weinstein, Salongo, and the Steve Elmer Trio

June sees the release of some excellent jazz records.  Here's a look at three of them.

Mark Weinstein – Straight No Chaser

Jazzhead Records releases Mark Weinstein's new recording, Straight No Chaser, on June 5. The album is ten tracks long, over an hour of jazz flute and guitar. According to Weinstein, this is a straight-ahead style of jazz, which means it's swing with some Latin influences. It's got a cool cover, a close up of whiskey in the glass.

Straight No Chaser is an enjoyable, engrossing record; a subdued musical painting with light touches and fine shading. Weinstein's flute is piercing throughout the record, twittering and jumping and punctuating. Even with such animated playing the record manages to be terribly soothing. Dave Stryker's organic, demulcent guitar compositions were a perfect counterpoint to the lively flute of Weinstein. The record contains original compositions by Weinstein and Stryker along with interpretations of Thelonious Monk's “Straight No Chaser” and Sonny Rollins “Airegin,” among others.

Stryker's work on “Blues for Janice” was hypnotic. “Sleeping Beauty” was a sonorous track with fascinating time shifts. The drums seem to remain in the background, but Victor Lewis is a well known and accomplished drummer and makes his presence known by subtle touches.

Weinstein appears to be a careful student of his music. He's been in the jazz world since the 60s, being an influential trombonist and composer, especially in regard to Latin jazz. He's done work with Eddie and Charlie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Herbie Mann, Maynard Ferguson and others. He takes time to research the style he plays and the people he plays with. The result is a record that sounds like a think tank jazz experiment rather than a smoky lounge act. One can imagine Weinstein, Stryker, Howard and Lewis in a controlled studio relishing every perfect note. It's like jazz for the intelligentsia.

For more info, visit Weinstein's website 

Salongo

The expression “salongo” is from Zaire and it means, “we come together to create something beautiful out of love.” The seven piece Afro-Cuban/Brasilian group Salongo manages to do just that. It's obvious that they love music and they love playing. Their invigorating jazz will cause involuntary spasms of the feet, neck, and hands. The music will make you want to move. Be sure to check out their self titled release. It's on shelves now.

Eddie Allen leads this happy jazz troop. His trumpet speaks prominently on each track, sometimes profound, sometimes witty, always engaging. He's joined by Bruce Williams playing alto sax and flute; Teodross Avery on tenor sax; Hector Martignon plays piano; Mario Rodriguez performs on electric bass; Diego Lopez is the drummer, and Renato Thoms also handles some percussion and congas. They stand up with and to their trumpeting commander.  Despite such a big group and plethora of instruments the music sounds simple and manageable.

Article Author: Gray Hunter

Gray Hunter enjoys an eremitical life in the desert. Beer and words are two pleasures in his life. He holds down two jobs while he works at his novels and stories.

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