Overlooked Alternatives: 2006 Spotlight Part 2 - Jazz - Page 3

Part of: Overlooked Alternatives
Author: Tom Johnson — Published: Jan 11, 2007 at 7:02 pm 3 comments

  • Jamie Saft - Trouble: One of 2005's more interesting album's was Saft's exploration of John Zorn's latest material in the Masada song book, Astaroth: Book Of Angels. This time around, pianist/organist Saft chose the work of Bob Dylan as his source material. Along with Greg Cohen on bass and Ben Perowsky on drums, the trio bends and twists Dylan originals in sometimes radical shapes, but most intriguing is when former Faith No More/Mr. Bungle vocalist Mike Patton and Antony (of The Johnsons) sit on one song each to color them with their own unique traits.

  • David S. Ware - BalladWare: Recorded after a grueling tour in 1999, for some reason this remained hidden away until 2006. You'll be scratching your head too when you hear it - not only is it an unusually restrained performance from Ware and his band, it's one of their most beautiful, too. While they may focus on ballads, this doesn't keep the band from diving deep into improvisation that takes them far into unknown territory. A great starting point for beginners due to the band letting up on the intensity a bit, but also extremely rewarding for demanding longtime fans.

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    • Bill Frisell, Ron Carter, Paul Motian Bill Frisell, Ron Carter, Paul Motian
      Release date: 2006-09-12
      Publisher: Nonesuch

      For two days in February 2005, guitarist Bill Frisell joined upright bassist legend Ron Carter, a member of Miles Davis' groundbreaking 60s bands, and drummer Paul Motian, part of the equally-storied ...

    • Meaning and Mystery Meaning and Mystery
      Release date: 2006-09-19
      Publisher: Koch Records

      First Quintet Record for the Greenleaf Music Label. Featuring Nine Douglas Compositions, it Further Established Douglas' Take on What Modern, Living Jazz Quintet Music Sounds Like. Featuring his Long ...

    • Metheny / Mehldau Metheny / Mehldau
      Release date: 2006-09-12
      Publisher: Nonesuch

      For Brad Mehldau, this collaboration started at that "life-changing moment" when, as a 13-year-old, a friend played him "Are You Going With Me" from the Pat Methany Group's 1982 live double-album, Travels. ...

    • Braggtown Braggtown
      Release date: 2006-09-12
      Publisher: Marsalis Music

      Tenor/soprano saxophonist Branford Marsalis is a master of the "burnout"--an intense but deliberate and focused style of jazz that has its roots in John Coltrane. Unlike many Trane-ologists, however, ...

    • Sound Grammar Sound Grammar
      Release date: 2006-09-12
      Publisher: Sound Grammar

      When so much jazz is recycled or reissued, a new Ornette Coleman album is cause for celebration. But Sound Grammar, the free-jazz legend's first release in a decade, is special even by his lofty standards. ...

    • New Monastery New Monastery
      Release date: 2006-09-26
      Publisher: Cryptogramophone

      Nels Cline, the dynamic lead guitarist for the rock band Wilco, examines the music of celebrated pianist Andrew Hill, who is best known for his legendary post-bop recordings made for Blue Note Records ...

    • Beyond the Wall Beyond the Wall
      Release date: 2006-08-29
      Publisher: Nonesuch

      For his debut, Beyond The Wall, Garrett is joined by vibraphone great Bobby Hutcherson and tenor saxophonist legend Pharoah Sanders, whith whom Garrett has been performing over the last year before rapt audiences. ...

    • House on Hill House on Hill
      Release date: 2006-06-27
      Publisher: Nonesuch

      Brad Mehldau’s House On Hill represents the culmination of the pianist’s studio work with his original trio line-up of bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jorge Rossy. Mehldau specifically composed nine ...

    • Trouble: The Jamie Saft Trio Plays Bob Dylan Trouble: The Jamie Saft Trio Plays Bob Dylan
      Release date: 2006-08-22
      Publisher: Tzadik
    • BalladWare BalladWare
      Release date: 2006-09-26
      Publisher: Thirsty Ear

      Perhaps one of avant garde jazz's most important hornplayers, David S. Ware is still spreading the gospel with his newest album "Balladware". This session reveals a rarefied side of the David S. ...

    Article comments

    • 1 - Triniman

      Jan 11, 2007 at 9:29 pm

      Interesting list.

      Any thoughts about last year's Dave Holland and Ray Russell discs?

    • 2 - Pico

      Jan 12, 2007 at 12:15 am

      I had high hopes for the Kenny Garrett, too, but they were dashed a tad by overusing the wordless vocals. Good call.

      I like the David S. Ware too, as well as Sound Grammar (you were right, Saleski).

      Speaking of Marsalis, Delfeayo had a 2006 release called Minions Dominion that you should check out sometime. Very solid post-bop with an all-star crew.

      Good list, Tom.

    • 3 - El Bicho

      Jan 12, 2007 at 12:22 am

      I'll add Joey DeFrancesco: Organic Vibes.

      Great call on Braggtown. My knowledge of current is limited, but is there anyone else as consistent as BMQ? I enjoyed Eternal a lot and their live DVD of A Love Supreme

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