Peter Erskine is Dr. Um, and this album marks a welcome return to the musical worlds he inhabited as part of Weather Report and Steps Ahead. Featuring an incredible drum sound plus compositional appearances by Peter, Joe Zawinul, John Beasley, Gary McFarland, Vince Mendoza and Gustav Mahler, Dr. Um takes the classic fusion sound into the 21st century. This is the album Weather Report might have made were the band still around. This is the album Peter Erskine has always wanted to make. The doctor will see you now!
Double 180gm vinyl LP pressing in gatefold jacket. World Sinfonia - Heart of the Immigrants (1993) is Al di Meola's second entry of his World Sinfonia project. The studio album, his 15th overall, is considered an energetic and vital tribute to Tango master Astor Piazzolla. Recorded on all-acoustic instrumentation, the music oozes the flavour and spirit of Argentina - not least because of the influence of Dino Saluzzi, who enriches this record with the wonderful sounds of his bandoneon. Songs such as 'Someday My Prince Will Come' shine with the lush instrumentation, occasionally backed by a string section or the soulful voice of Hernan Romero and make "World Sinfonia - Heart of the Immigrants" an Al di Meola album that should not be missing from the collections of any fan of Jazz infused with World Music and Tango.
Double vinyl LP pressing. 2024 release. Al di Meola's Twentyfour, is a testament to creativity. Conceived during the tumultuous times of the pandemic, what started as a simple acoustic project evolved into something much grander. Al's initial intention to craft a reflective acoustic album on the challenges of the time expanded exponentially as he found himself unable to resist the allure of boundless musical exploration. Over the span of four years, Twentyfour blossomed into a masterpiece, brimming with intricately woven melodies, diverse instrumentation, and captivating highlights. It's a journey through Al's musical evolution, showcasing his virtuosity and vision in those special times. Each track is a moment within these four years and a contemporary witness to the events.
A towering cultural figure throughout the second half of the 20th century, Leonard Bernstein mediated between different musical worlds, borrowing freely from jazz, blues and popular music, eventually shaping a "classical" sound that became his deeply influential signature. From his decades of working alongside Austria's most illustrious musicians, Vienna's JAM Music Lab University was inspired to celebrate his music & legacy. With the addition of drumming great Peter Erskine as a Visiting Artist in 2021 - bringing along his own decades of contributions to blending popular musics at the highest levels - they handed him the task of shaping the ambitious project. With this live recording, Erskine, JAM students and faculty, and pianist/musical director Danny Grissett, honor Bernstein's genius and fulfill JAM's chief mission - inspired by the jazz masters, educate and nurture jazz's next generation - and on this night, Peter Erskine, and Leonard Bernstein, led the charge.
CD reissue. "A Funky Thide of Sings" is all about the funk! Space rock drumming to be precise. The album opener "Panhandler" begins with an eerie type of ambience that reminds of hiding under a rock until this unexplainable ominous danger above clears. This song keeps a tight melody flowing and even when an extraordinary jazzy guitar solo comes in, the song remains high-octane and awesome. Keith Jarrett's "Sorcery" displays the Cobham funk sound at it's best. "Moody Modes" lives up to it's name! 'A Funky Thide Of Sings' is an album with Cobham's thunderous drumrolls and triple kick bass drums, with his signature sound. To hear them is to realize you'll always recognize, and appreciate what a great drummer sounds like.
This veteran group has been dazzling listeners for more than a decade with their unique mix of jazz, pop and traditional Japanese sounds, but Hiroshima's 2nd Qwest album represents their most eclectic and innovative work to date. This album, produced by U.K. producer Robin Millar (Sade, Fine Young Cannibals, Everything But the Girl) introduces new lead vocalist Kimaya Seward and features guest vocals by Hamish Stewart (Average White Band) on 3 tracks. Hiroshima begins a major U.S. tour in August.
Al Di Meola - One Of These Nights - Al Di Meola - One Of These Nights Right from the start and with an almost imperceptible smile Al Di Meola deftly conjured up the most amazing runs and gorgeous melodies. Concentration rather than tension, and devotion rather than routine are tangible in his playing. Masterful virtuosity combined with perfect feeling for emotions. Al Di Meola assembled a thoroughly excellent group of musicians for this review of the highlights of a career spanning almost three decades - a fantastic combination of romantic chamber music, traditional Latin American music and the freedom of jazz, constantly switching between off-thecuff improvisation and intricate set-pieces. Time and again the musicians manage to vary familiar pieces with surprising rhythm changes and brilliant soundscapes. Vinyl LP pressing.
Beautifully recorded in late 2002 in New York's St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Three Guitars is a must-hear summit meeting between three extraordinary fretboard masters: Larry Coryell, Badi Assad - then a rising star of the Brazilian music scene - and John Abercrombie. Despite their differences in age, nationality, genre, gender, and musical sensibility, the three musicians found common ground in what Coryell described as a "unique intersection of creativity." Coryell and Abercrombie, pioneers of electric jazz fusion in the '70s, play steel-stringed acoustic guitars, which contrast with Assad's nylon-stringed classical guitar. The multi-talented Brazilian also contributed vocals and made percussion noises using her mouth and body. Highlights include Coryell's 'No Flight Tonite, ' Abercrombie's 'Timeless' and Assad's 'After The Rain.' Available for the first time since 2005, Three Guitars is reissued on 180gram One Step Pressing LP and SACD Hybrid Stereo.
Peter Erskine and Vienna's JAM Music Lab All-Stars celebrate the music of two iconic Viennese composers who, after moving to Hollywood in 1929 & 1934, transformed the dynamics of film as they set the standards for movie scoring. Through their work on Gone With the Wind, King Kong, and many dozens more, their role in shaping popular culture since is legion. First exposed to the music in the late '70s as he was touring with Weather Report, Erskine heard Joe Zawinul playing a beautiful melody and learned it was by Korngold, a fellow Viennese composer. He was moved to search out transcripts and recordings ever since. With his artist-in-residency at Vienna's cutting-edge JAM Music Lab University, his desire to reimagine this music in an improvised jazz setting finally became a reality. "... Erskine and the Jam Music Lab All-Stars demonstrate virtuosity, versatility and a keen attention to detail... creating a fitting tribute to the most influential figures in 20th-century music." The New York City Jazz Record
Beautifully recorded in late 2002 in New York's St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Three Guitars is a must-hear summit meeting between three extraordinary fretboard masters: Larry Coryell, Badi Assad - then a rising star of the Brazilian music scene - and John Abercrombie. Despite their differences in age, nationality, genre, gender, and musical sensibility, the three musicians found common ground in what Coryell described as a "unique intersection of creativity." Coryell and Abercrombie, pioneers of electric jazz fusion in the '70s, play steel-stringed acoustic guitars, which contrast with Assad's nylon-stringed classical guitar. The multi-talented Brazilian also contributed vocals and made percussion noises using her mouth and body. Highlights include Coryell's 'No Flight Tonite,' Abercrombie's 'Timeless' and Assad's 'After The Rain.' Available for the first time since 2005, Three Guitars is reissued on 180gram One Step Pressing LP and SACD Hybrid Multi-Channel.
Riviera '76 - THE GODFATHER OF FUSION is back with 1976, Newly Discovered material from the French Radio Archives. The Eleventh House was a superstar jazz fusion group of the 1970's led by the guitarist Larry Coryell. This material has never been released on a physical format before. This single vinyl package includes: OBI side spine, full color printed inner sleeve and a Vibrant Magenta Opaque color vinyl LP.
Two CD set. 2019 live release. Chick Corea's boxed set Trilogy was released in 2014, garnering international acclaim and two Grammy Awards (Best Jazz Instrumental Album and Best Improvised Jazz Solo). The stunning collaboration between Chick Corea, Christian McBride and Brian Blade left many critics, musicians and fans awestruck. Fortunately for us, these three virtuosos reunited for another tour in 2016, resulting in Trilogy 2 - twelve formidable tracks that raise the bar even higher.
'Between the Sheets' is the second studio album of smooth jazz group Fourplay and was released in August 1993. The album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart and No. 15 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. 'Between the Sheets' sold over 500,000 copies in the United States and thus certified gold by the RIAA. 'Between the Sheets', the popular single, written by the Isley Brothers, features Fourplay members Bob James (piano), Lee Ritenour (guitar), Nathan East (lead vocals and bass) and Harvey Mason (drums) with guests, soul singer Chaka Khan on lead vocals, backed-up by Philip Bailey and Phil Perry. Sultry and smooth, oozing with class. Amoroso is a sprightly tune that features sparkling solos from James and Ritenour while East and Mason (composer) keep a lively groove simmering underneath. This continues to be a defining album for smooth Jazz genre and Fourplay.
Two CDs. 2020 release. Plays is a captivating, intimate double album. Showcasing his charming rapport with enthusiastic audiences in these spirited renditions, he's in good company throughout, engaging with a list of icons represents a wide swath of musical history, from the classical repertoire of Mozart and Chopin to jazz influences like Bill Evans and modern pop sensibility of Stevie Wonder. Several pieces are reprisals or spontaneously improvised.
Chick Corea: The Montreux Years showcases some of the legendary pianist's remarkable Montreux Jazz Festival live performances. The set includes brand new liner notes, as well as rare photos from his Montreux shows. Combos featured include Chick Corea Quartet, Chick Corea New Trio, Chick Corea Freedom Band, Chick Corea Akoustic Band, and Chick Corea Elektric Band, plus an appearance by The Bavarian Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra.
Multiquarium Big band feat. Biréli Lagrène: "Remembering Jaco" is a tribute to Jaco Pastorius's music, made by André Charlier (drums) and Benoit Sourisse (piano) from the Multiquarium Big band, one of the best French Big Bands. Jaco Pastorius is a big star in the Jazz-Rock scene (and beyond), an icon for the bass players all around the world, the one who brought to electric bass the possibility of becoming in some case a soloist instrument in a band. Jaco Pastorius made very famous solo albums and wrote amazing big band music. He played with Pat Metheny, Joni Mitchell but was also a very important member of the famous Jazz-rock band, Weather Report with Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul, Peter Erskine (who participates to this album with some spoken words!)... The virtuoso gypsy guitar player, Biréli Lagrène, has been invited to play electric fretless bass on the album. Biréli, who, as a young genius of the guitar, began to play in Montreux when he was 14, he is now 50 and played one year and a half with Jaco Pastorius on stage when he was 19 years old. Biréli is an amazing bass player, he perfectly integrated how Jaco's Music was working and pushed it beyond it's borders.
