Mikrokolektyw Kuba Suchar and Arthur Majewski continue to explore a vast terrain of post jazz soundscapes. These shifting limitless ideas, merging electronic sounds with complex melody and rhythm, push them to the forefront of contemporary jazz. As with their critically acclaimed debut Revisit and it's follow-up live DVD Dew Point, Absent Minded is a stark and brilliant reminder that jazz is a living language, constantly expanding into new horizons. Mikrokolektyw reveal a facet of jazz whose sonic palette is both diverse and challenging yet astoundingly beautiful. A boundary erasing excursion into the range of emotions that is possible when we speak in multiple tongues.
Jimmy proved himself as one of the best contemporary blues artists in the late '70s & early '80s, with 2 killer albums on Delmark; produced by the legendary Ralph Bass (James Brown, T-Bone Walker, Little Esther Phillips) in 1977, this album is Chicago blues at it's best, featuring Jimmy's soaring gospel-inflected vocals, creative guitar & fresh songwriting.
Blues guitarist first started his own band way back in 1963, backing many greats as they passed through Chicago, inc. Al Green, Johnny Taylor, Etta James & others - this, his 2nd Delmark album, further establishes him as a tasteful & talented bandleader & recording artist.
Polish duo Mikrokolektyw explore regions of warped impressionist Don Cherryesque melodies like cartographers from some distant future. Their style is an outline of unexplored electronic hieroglyphs, an almost forgotten language shaped by moog, drums and trumpet. With this language they illustrate a map of vast sonic territories. Drummer Kuba Suchar and trumpeter Arthur Majewski have collaborated with dozens of Chicago jazz greats as touring members of Rob Mazurek's ESO and Sao Paolo Underground groups. Their electronic driven jazz stands out for it's downtown sound, a new freedom of innovation burning with an idiosyncratic sense of expression.
Shaping their musical heritage together for 15 years, saxophonist Keefe Jackson and vibes player Jason Adasiewicz have been vital in defining and refining "The Chicago Sound". Their relationship with Delmark has spanned over a decade; combined they have 20 albums on the label. On Rows And Rows, six of the nine original compositions were composed specifically for the session, while the remaining three are older tunes re-imagined for duo. The atmosphere of a jazz duet can paint one of the most personal and intimate musical conversations. This one brings the listener into their world, creating a social environment that you may want to tap your foot to, or even go a little further.
By 1954, vocal ensembles were grabbing an ever-larger share of the African-American record-buying dollars, so United Records wisely entered the doowop market in 1953, and by 1955, they were considered competitive in the flourishing vocal group market. "Chop Chop Boom" (DMK #703) was devoted to groups issued on the subsidiary State label, while this new CD features groups on the United imprint. Features The Moroccos, the Answers, the Sheppard's and the Pastels. Contains 12 never before released tracks and descriptive notes by Bob Pruter, author of "Doowop: The Chicago Scene".
Blues harmonica legend Carey Bell created his own style after learning from the masters Big Walter Horton, Little Walter Jacobs and Sonny Boy Williamson II. a veteran of both Muddy Waters' and Willie Dixon's bands, Carey Bell is on the short list of today's blues harmonica superstars. Carey celebrated his 70th birthday just after this recording and is still going strong. Lurrie Bell, Carey's eldest son, has recorded albums with his father starting with 1977's "Heartaches and Pain". Since the release of "Mercurial Son" the amazing guitarist has been dazzling audiences around the world. Thirty years after first recording together Carey & Lurrie Bell have reunited for this album.
After five Delmark albums with his New Horizons Ensemble and three as co-leader of the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, saxophonist, composer, arranger Ernest Dawkins leads this brand new, specially chosen group for a program of straight ahead jazz featuring African, Afro-Latin and African-American percussion. The personnel is Ernest Dawkins, alto, tenor saxophone; Corey Wilkes, trumpet; Willerm Delisfort, piano; Junius Paul, bass; Isaiah Spencer, drums; Ruben Alvarez, congas, bongos, chimes, shaker; Greg Carmouche, Greg Penn, congas; and on the intimate ballad rendition of "God Bless The Child" Ben Paterson on Hammond B3 organ.
Blues vocalist/songwriter/bandleader/harmonica player Little Arthur Duncan is now in his 73rd year and is not slowing down one bit. On this brand new August 2007 recording Arthur's performance is powerful and amazing. He is accompanied by his band the Backscratchers - Illinois Slim and Rick Kreher on guitar; Michael Azzi on bass; and Twist Turner on drums. With special guest vocalist Little Al Thomas. Recorded and videotaped at one of Chicago's friendliest blues clubs, Rosa's Blues Lounge. Also available: Singin' with the Sun (Delmark 733).
Memphis Slim's United recordings deserve special acknowledgement because, to put it bluntly, they're his best. "Memphis Slim U.S.A." (DMK #710) presented the last two of his four United sessions. Now, this CD brings listeners the complete first two sessions plus two auditions. There's much new to savor here, including 11 never before released tracks containing two real revelations: super-guitarist Matt "Guitar" Murphy's first recorded vocal "Cool Down Baby" with a jaw-dropping guitar intro, as well as the initial 1952 version of "The Come Back" played as a straight slow blues cut lacking the stop time arrangement. It's piano blues at it's best.
As a teenager John Grimaldi worked in the family plumbing business that sometimes took him to Chicago's Maxwell Street open-air market. There he saw musicians playing raw, amplified blues. After seeing Hound Dog Taylor perform John knew he had to play slide guitar. Under the spell of these music experiences he started performing as Studebaker John in the '70s. Almost forty years and a dozen albums later Studebaker John is still creating new songs, (Kingsville Jukin' is over an hour of all new originals) still rockin' the blues the way they did on Maxwell Street. The band also features Rick Kreher, guitar; Bob Halaj, bass and Steve Cushing, drums.
Delta Bound celebrates Mississippi Heat's 20th year of creating wonderful blues music and their 10th recording! Fourteen original songs, twelve by leader and harmonica player Pierre Lacocque, and two written and/or arranged by lead vocalist Inetta Visor. While the record is a solid electric blues album, you will also find acoustic blues, a catchy New Orleans tune as well as a stunning version of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" written by Nina Simone and made famous by the Animals in 1965. Special guests include Heat alumnus and original member, singer Deitra Farr who delivers on three awesome songs, zydeco giant Chubby Carrier, guitarists Billy Flynn and Carl Weathersby.
It's been 50 years since the jazz pianist released his first album Larry Novak Plays! On Dot Records in 1964. Novak led his trio at Chicago's London House from 1961 to '63, then at Mr. Kelly's from '63 to '75. He played with and arranged for Peggy Lee, and worked extensively with Pearl Bailey. He also worked with Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, instrumentalists Dizzy Gillespie, Louie Bellson, Charlie Shavers, Barney Kessel and countless others. This new trio recording features Eric Hochberg, bass and Rusty Jones, drums.
There's a manic joy in Corey's playing. He laughs in recognition of an exceptional riff, and shakes his head from side to side to acknowledge he's hit the groove he's looking for. Corey is constantly in motion and attuned to the music and the band members. He's worked hard to bring this all together. Here is the result. Really good music-honest, fearless, and without restraint. Ain't no "cain't" in Corey. Let's DO this thing! 13 new original songs include "Getcha' Pull!", "Tugboat Blues" and "Room To Breathe". & #13; •"I've never seen anybody play the blues with more feeling and with more passion than Corey Dennison. " -Tom Marker, Producer and Host of Blues Breakers on WXRT and Blues Time on WDCB
Gutsy tenor saxophonist Sax Gordon has recorded and toured with Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson, Duke Robillard, Matt "Guitar" Murphy and Kim Wilson, and is featured on recordings by Pinetop Perkins, Champion Jack Dupree, Billy Boy Arnold, and most recently Mississippi Heat (Warning Shot, DMK 838). Now with 4 solo albums and his own show, he brings rocking sax around the globe. But while gaining recognition as a blues and R&B player, Gordon continued playing soulful, straight-ahead jazz. On In The Wee Small Hours, his first jazz release, Gordon goes back to the classic organ combo sound and a relaxed session of jazz standards with a deep and soulful sound.
Estes, Hammie Nixon and Yank Rachell reunited for the 1964 Newport Folk Festival, 40 years after first teaming up. They also recorded this NY session, but it went unissued 'til 2002; this treasured blues time-warp features 80 Highway; Special Agent; Government Money; Worried Mind Blues; Mary Come on Home; Up and Down, and 11 more!
This live album offers twelve brand-new originals and two covers done by artists who don't play together regularly, performed for a packed house of enthusiastic fans. The band had just one night to nail it - which made this recording a crazy, but thrilling, high wire act! Johnny drew from the great Bay Area blues talent pool that lured him to the West Coast back in 2016. Blues legend Charlie Musselwhite's driving boogie-woogie harp on California Blues is an absolute highlight. You could feel a jolt of electricity run through the crowd when Portland, Oregon-based Rae Gordon took the stage. The end result is a raw, fresh, and original all-star set of blues, shot through with live energy. Recorded 1.5.19 at Redwood Cafe, Cotati, CA.
Rob Mazurek's latest venture into the universe of sound is the all mighty Pulsar Quartet featuring the magic and power of Angelica Sanchez - piano; the melodic shapes of Matthew Lux - bass; the polyrhythmic galaxies of John Herndon - drums and the solar arcs of Rob Mazurek on cornet. All members of the critically acclaimed Exploding Star Orchestra, the quartet sprays, throws, erupts and caresses 7 new Mazurek compositions that expand upon the idea of melodic freedom within the realm of shifting chromatics, pop-like harmonies, pulling anthems and contrasting pedal points.
Chicago blues vocalist Tail Dragger is back with his second live CD/DVD on Delmark. The first My Head Is Bald, Live at Vern's Friendly Tavern (DMK 782 CD / DMK 1782 DVD) was chosen by Living Blues magazine as the Blues DVD of the Year 2005! Delmark captured this exciting performance at Rooster's located on Chicago's West Side. On the night of March 21, 2009, featuring Rockin' Johnny and Kevin Shanahan, guitar; Martin Lang, harmonica; Todd Fickler, bass; Rob Lorenz, drums; and special guest Jimmy Dawkins, guitar. DVD is 12 songs, 75 minutes with Tail Dragger commentary track special feature, 24 bit/48kHz PCM stereo, 5. 1 Dolby and DTS. NTSC all region.
The music of Omar Coleman, like Chicago itself, contains multitudes. Rooted in the blues, spiked with R&B urgency, and resonant with deep-soul passion, it both moves the heart and galvanizes the feet - "grown folks' music," as they say, but full of the enthusiasm, fire, and dedication of a young man making his mark on the world. The stories his songs tell are drawn from real life, rich with affirming humanity. Fourteen original songs, most either written or co-written by Omar, include "I Was A Fool" and "Wishing Well" with guest Mile Wheeler, "Man Like Me" and "You've Got A Hold On Me" with guest Toronzo Cannon, "Tell Me What You Want" and "Slow Down Baby" with guest Dave Herrero.
Traditional jazz clarinetist John Skillman is the leader of the Barb City Stompers in Dekalb, IL (where barb wire was invented). He also leads the New Orleans Nighthawks in Florida and the co-leader of the Coast to Coast Jazz Band. For the past 31 years, he has been the clarinetist in the Buck Creek Jazz Band. He also is the clarinetist for both the Chicago Hot Six Jazz Band, and for the CanAmGer Jazz Band. His style ranges from downtown New Orleans to Chicago to Swing. John Skillman - clarinet, Roy Rubinstein - trombone, Larry Rutan - guitar, Roger Hintzsche - bass, Aaron Puckett - drums, Diana Skillman - vocals (on two songs).
