One of the few exponents of that most unrelenting instrument, baritone saxophonist Ronnie Cuber has spent for more than a half century performing, composing, arranging and leading his own groups. His robust, no-nonsense playing has been acknowledged to be one of the greats among jazz instrumentalists. “…Best of all, there’s Cuber himself, whose playing has, incredibly, grown more authoritative with each passing year. His sound, huge and affable, brims with personality, and it’s hard not to be awed by the freshness…” (J. D. Considine – JazzTimes on Ronnie’s Trio SCCD 31848)

This "new hard bop" group plays originals by it's members. Damon Brown has been around for more than twenty years, critically acclaimed by the public and the press. The Evening Standard called him "best British mainstream trumpetist". He played alongside Benny Golson, Steve Grossman, Dave Liebman and Peter King. Belgium-based Stephane Mercier still tours around the world. One could hear him with Mark Turner, Avishai Cohen, Chris Cheek, Seamus Blake, Aaron Goldberg in New-York. He also leads the Jazz Station Big Band in Brussels. The two leaders met in Paris, and recently toured in Asia, UK and Europe.

First released in 1997, The Best Of Fourplay showcases the smooth jazz supergroup's signature style of indelible melodies, tasteful arrangements and addictive, toe-tapping grooves. Besides choice album cuts from Fourplay's Warner Bros repertoire, the 13-track compilation includes the bands's hit versions of Marvin Gaye's After The Dance', fronted by the silky-voiced El DeBarge, and the Isley Brothers 'Between The Sheets', featuring legendary soul singer, Chaka Khan. The new edition of the album includes the bonus track, 'The Closer I Get To You,' a duet between Patti Austin and Peabon Bryson. The album was remastered using hi-resolution digital transfers from the original analog master tapes. This will be available for the first time on MQA-CD. A smooth jazz supergroup originally comprising Bob James (keyboards), Lee Ritenour (guitar), Nathan East (bass) and Harvey Mason (drums), Fourplay was formed in 1990 and patented an immediately identifiable pop-jazz sound with their self-titled debut album in 1991. It topped the US jazz charts and went on to sell over a million copies. Since then, the long-running group, despite a couple of line-up changes, has maintained it's popularity and, to date, has released 14 albums, three of which went gold, and earned six Grammy nominations. MQA-CD plays back on all CD players. When a conventional CD player is connected to an MQA-enabled device, the CD will reveal the original master quality. Album also available on Hybrid Stereo SACD and 180gm Vinyl.

Trumpeter Marcus Printup rounded up a choice selection of young prize winning new talents to form this sextet. Printup, though still in the 40s and at his prime mettle, is a veteran of three decades which includes a principal post in the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra since 1993. One of his professional priorities is to pass the torch on to the next generation, Young Bloods. “Printup is such an accomplished and versatile player that he’s adept performing tunes from any point in the many decades of jazz…. a hard swinging lesson taught by a master musician.” (Joel Roberts – The New York City Jazz Record on “Homage” SCCD 31730)

First released in 1997, The Best Of Fourplay showcases the smooth jazz supergroup's signature style of indelible melodies, tasteful arrangements and addictive, toe-tapping grooves. Besides choice album cuts from Fourplay's Warner Bros repertoire, the 13-track compilation includes the bands's hit versions of Marvin Gaye's After The Dance', fronted by the silky-voiced El DeBarge, and the Isley Brothers 'Between The Sheets', featuring legendary soul singer, Chaka Khan. The new edition of the album includes the bonus track, 'The Closer I Get To You,' a duet between Patti Austin and Peabon Bryson. The album was remastered using hi-resolution digital transfers from the original analog master tapes. This will be available for the first time on SACD. A smooth jazz supergroup originally comprising Bob James (keyboards), Lee Ritenour (guitar), Nathan East (bass) and Harvey Mason (drums), Fourplay was formed in 1990 and patented an immediately identifiable pop-jazz sound with their self-titled debut album in 1991. It topped the US jazz charts and went on to sell over a million copies. Since then, the long-running group, despite a couple of line-up changes, has maintained it's popularity and, to date, has released 14 albums, three of which went gold, and earned six Grammy nominations.

“…The late Whitney Balliett dubbed jazz as "the sound of surprise". Well, Jack Walrath surprises us here on every selection. He deals in the unexpected and delivers it to us with a flowing flourish - and no concessions.” (Mark Gardner- from the linernotes) “Jack Walrath not only displays tremendous trumpet playing, a rich and varied approach to composition and wonderful band, he also puts something into this fantastic CD that's missing from too much new jazz: a sense of fun and humor. That's not to say that it isn't sensitive and touching at times—"An Hour Blessed" is arguably as gorgeous as anything ever recorded…” (Francis Lo Kee – allaboutjazz-New York)

Classical Music

JACOB COLLIER / DJESSE VOLUME 4 / Crafted in the famed studio beside his London bedroom, as well as various corners of the globe, Djesse has explored Jacob Collier's wildest dreams, and Vol. 4 brings the series to a most dramatic and thrilling conclusion. While his music is proudly unclassifiable, Collier enters a distinct sonic universe with each volume, which he likens to the different phases of a day. With Djesse Vol. 4, the saga ends at the incandescent light of dawn, alchemising a full spectrum of emotion into a massive, joyous moment of awakening and human potential.

Dr. Kristina Nikolic writes: "Even though I follow Don Menza whenever he is on tour in Europe and have witnessed the magic of his concerts countless times, never have I believed that recording an album could be such a relaxing, loving and seemingly effortless occasion. After a couple of weeks on the road, this quartet managed once again (in less than four hours) to preserve on tape what they had been doing together on the bandstand for many years: playing jazz that will touch any soul that is willing to listen. Together with Oliver Kent, Johannes Strasser and Bernd Reiter, all amazing musicians themselves, a self-confessed hopeless romantic Don Menza succeeded, with exceptional honesty, to record eight songs which reflect his beliefs. In this age of Jazz where the brain is often more important than the heart, this album stands out for it's ability to break your heart, make you laugh, make you feel cool, brave, to energize and inspire you."

There are incantations and supplications to be found here. Also: elegies and headlines, howls and mantras, reveries and outbursts. They instruct and affirm. They urge you to dance while offering road maps to reflection. They rouse you from deep slumber and offer solace for your worst nightmares. - GENE SEYMOUR. "The Poets Are Gathering" is the third in a series of acclaimed recordings from saxophonist/composer Benjamin Boone that integrate the music & poems from some of America's leading jazz musicians and Poet Laureates, Guggenheim fellows and Pulitzer Prize winners. Where "The Poetry of Jazz" volumes offered the voice of the late U.S. Poet Laureate Philip Levine, here, notable contributors include Tyehimba Jess, Juan Felipe Herrera, Patricia Smith, T.R. Hummer, and Edward Hirsch, along with pianist Kenny Werner, guitarist Ben Monder and drummer Ari Hoenig, among many others. This recording possesses a visceral, in-the-moment force as the poetry responds to the roiling, insurgent energies against racism and other societal ills. The themes of immigration, racism, homelessness, poverty, abuse, protests, and war can overwhelm and distress, but through the voices of some of the world's great literary minds there are clues to be found to absorb the blows, summon the spirits, engage the moment and as Tyehimba Jess suggests, "murder the silence" that threatens to immobile us, to keep us away from the reasons to commit, to deal, to hope – and, above all, to imagine. "Boone knows where the thing called poetry lives, an ocelot among the waters, a sky-shaped Rain God that flares down upon us. He does this with a myriad of instruments, with human breath chiseling and burning through brass and string, reeds and skin and hands and resin." U.S. POET LAUREATE JUAN FELIPE HERRERA.

... quietly stunning interplay... each musician establishes his identity firmly through melodic, conversational playing that is the epitome of modern, eclectic jazz. All Music Guide. In 2000, master guitarist John Stowell met with the 8 year-old Seattle trio of drummer John Bishop, bassist Jeff Johnson & saxophonist Rick Mandyck to record the 2001 release "Scenes." Soon after, Mandyck retired his tenor for health reasons and the remaining trio carried on, recording five more albums and performing widely over these 20 years. Mandyck's participation on this session marks the first time he has entered the studio on tenor since that 2000 recording, creating a moving moment for the others as he brings along not only his singular musical voice, but five compositions to inspire the core trio, opening up new pathways of conversation. Whether traversing the tumbling landscape of Mandyck's "The Reckoning," or sliding into Claudine Francois' beautifully hypnotic title track, the eclectic quartet glides toward a known destination while discovering the course in the moment. There is history to guide their impulse, intuition to find their way. "Considerably absorbing... Dynamically astute and rhythmically sensitive, this is very satisfying music... " - Cadence Magazine.

Serenity Island tells a story that spans over a period of 8 years, unfolding the impressions of prominent pianist-composer Nuphar Fey as she travels through countries and deep life changing experiences. Composed during a period of few years while living in several countries in Europe and Israel, the album presents a wide manifold of influences, tastefully combining them to capture a unique musical imprint.

Jean Michel Pilc had already planned on coming to Europe for concerts and master classes, and so a studio recording was arranged in the Netherlands. The result of both recordings is Parallel: a double album with two solo piano recordings, conceived in a completely new form, on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. The album is a fascinating and exciting journey into Jean-Michel's realm of composed and improvised music that makes one want to listen to it over and over again. Jean-Michel writes: "Most people believe that growing up and aging goes hand in hand with gaining knowledge and wisdom. It may be comforting to think that life teaches you things and there is often something true about it. However, for me there is a parallel, deeper reality at work. The more I know, the more I have to unlearn. The music of this album- created in the last years, in two very different sessions with the invisible ink of improvisation- deals with this mysterious and constantly growing part of the unknown: create, forget, and recreate."

Above all... Joachim's phrases... have this melodious charm, which is available to only the greatest of pianists. - Paw Baranowski, Diapazon (Poland). Celebrated Polish pianist, composer, lyricist, and a foremost proponent of modern jazz on the hurdy-gurdy (vielle a roue), Joachim Mencel has a wide-ranging career composing for film, orchestras and ballet, touring with his jazz projects, or appearances with giants such as Lee Konitz, Dino Saluzzi, Richard Galliano, Dave Liebman, Eddie Henderson, Charlie Mariano, and many others. Though he's experienced performing in America before, including being a part of the Monk Piano Competition in 1989, "Brooklyn Eye" is the realization of a dream forged in his youth behind the iron curtain. Recording compositions that were informed by the culture, musicians, harmonies and feelings of America, and then to record in New York City with several vital improvisors whose music has inspired him for years - guitarist Steve Cardenas, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Rudy Royston - Mencel terms Brooklyn Eye, "a symbolic, idyllic place where dreams come true. " Recorded the day after Notre Dame Cathedral burned in Paris, a palpable melancholy presided over the session, adding further dimension to this pivotal experience in Mencel's musical life.

Ikue Mori, Phew and YoshimiO are three legends of the Japanese Avant Garde music scene: Ikue was an original member of DNA and is a vital member of the NYC Downtown Scene, Phew founded Aunt Sally in 1978 and has performed in countless folk/rock solo projects and collaborations and YoshimiO is a core member of the Boredoms, Saicobab and OOIOO. Here they come together for their first ever trio project. Recorded at Club U.F.O. in Tokyo, the music was edited and mixed during the shelter-in-place months of early 2020. Surprising and powerful, this is a fabulous and essential meeting of three new music superstars.

Classical Music

Bassist-composer-singer Brandi Disterheft's fifth album, Surfboard (October 30, 2020), is her most accomplished yet. Joined by two iconic octogenarian masters - virtuoso tenor saxophonist George Coleman and the definitive Brazilian drummer Portinho - and world-class pianist Klaus Mueller, Disterheft authoritatively and organically guides the flow on a varied program that reflects her capacious interests. Her kinetic, harmonically erudite basslines anchor ensemble interpretations of choice tunes culled from the blues, mainstem jazz, and the Great Brazilian and American Songbooks. She sings those Songbook numbers, and her own evocative lyrics, with an instantly recognizable voice that conveys vulnerability and emotional intelligence. And she matches the high bar set by her partners on a series of creative solos.

Streetwize is famous for delivering sophisticated Smooth Urban Jazz versions of today's hottest grooves from the world of R&B and HipHop, delighting their loyal jazz cross-over fans. Streewize Ocean Eyes shines brightly with the latest R&B hits. Sexy, smooth interpretations of recent smashes from Billie Eilish (Ocean Eyes), Chris Brown feat. Drake (No Guidance), H.E.R. (Best Part), Khalid (Talk), Daniel Caesar (GetYou), and more - all reimagined in the Smooth Urban Jazz style made famous by Streetwize. Smooth Jazz superstar saxophonist/producer Kim Waters, up and coming jazz phenom Justin Lee Schultz and the Streetwize all-stars make all the right moves, creating a delightful non-stop listening experience.

2020 release. Internationally acclaimed singer and pianist Carol Welsman teamed with multi-Grammy winning Latin Producer and arranger, Oscar Hernandez on her album Dance with Me featuring the powerful duet with Latin SUPERSTAR Juan Luis Guerra - an English adaptation of Juan Luis' hit song "Si t� no bailas conmigo". The All-Star band includes drummer Jimmy Branly, Rene Camacho on bass, Justo Almario on saxophone and flute, and Joey de Leon on percussion. Album highlights include English versions of famous Cuban boleros, Cha Cha Chas that have never before been adapted for English audiences, plus great American Songbook standards with salsa and mambo rhythms.

Jason Miles's newest release for his Kind of New Band "Black Magic", his first on the Ropeadope label, he is exploring the possibilities of the small electric ensemble based on the same band of superb musicians he recently toured Europe with Reggie Washington on Bass, Gene Lake, Drums, Jay Rodriguez, Sax and Bass Clarinet and Philip Dizack on Trumpet. It is a combination of live tracks recorded at NewBlu in NYC and 4 new studio tracks that were influenced by a recent concert and encounter with Herbie Hancock. Jason recently said "seeing Herbie perform just made me realize how deep you have to go to get the most from your creative soul. I re-evaluated the new music I had and realized I hadn't explored my musical soul deep enough. I locked myself in my studio and came up with 4 new tracks that I couldn't be happier with and decided to call it Black Magic.There was some other vibes going on for sure"

... a roller coaster ride of wildly percolating beats, choppy rhythmic thrusts and plenty of popping percussion. In reinventing Afro-Cuban, funk and post-bop, he's kept everything charged up like a crazed rhino on steroids. Keep out of the way and you'll be fine. CLASSICALITE. Grammy-winning New York drummer Robby Ameen has had an established recording and touring career stretching from Dizzy Gillespie to Paul Simon over the last four decades, highlighted by a 20-year run with the band of Latin icon Ruben Blades. Although he's of Lebanese origin, Ameen is best known for the unique and powerful Afro-Cuban jazz style he developed and displayed on hundreds of recordings, including many with Dave Valentin, Eddie Palmieri, Kip Hanrahan, and Conrad Herwig's Latin Side All-Stars.Diluvio marks Ameen's 3rd release as a composer, arranger & band leader, teaming with Troy Roberts, Bob Franceschini, Conrad Herwig, Edsel Gomez, Lincoln Goines, Bill O’Connell & Mauricio Herrera, most with whom he goes back several decades. Musically, it's his vision of the sounds he's dedicated a lifetime to exploring: Afro-Cuban music with deep strains of contemporary hard bop and funk, thoroughly infused with an indomitable spirit.

... emotionally direct, unpretentious and irascibly open-hearted... - San Francisco Classical Voice. "Joy" documents the inspired collaborations saxophonist/composer Benjamin Boone experienced while living in Ghana for a year as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar. He performed frequently with Accra-based tenor saxophonist Bernard Ayisa, pianist Victor Dey, Jr., bassist Bright Osei, drummer Frank Kissi and vocalist Sandra Huson, with this set recorded in Boone's final week in country. Bathed in joy, exuberance and dance, the band tackles four Boone originals, Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage," "Curtain of Light" by Ethiopia-based saxophonist Jonovan Cooper, and the title track by the late saxophonist, Gerry Niewood. Following Boone's two previous recordings - critically acclaimed collaborations with U.S. Poet Laureate Philip Levine - "Joy" offers a 'complete body experience,' exploding with movement and fire.

When the Darmstadt teenager Volker Kriegel (1943-2003) officially debuted his first chords in the late 1950s, the guitar was still an outsider instrument in jazz. It could boast a few luminaries, but actually everything was still open when, in 1963 and 1964, the autodidact from Hessen won first prizes as guitarist and soloist at the amateur jazz festival in Düsseldorf. The debut recordings in 1963, which Südwestfunk (SWF) recorded with the nineteen-year-old guitarist in trio at the Deutschhaus in Mainz, and the 1969 studio sessions in the Kammersaal Studio, are worlds apart. For one thing, the guitar itself had carved out a career. On top of this, Kriegel had gained in self-confidence. But above all, he had found a counterpart in Claudio Szenkar, who opened up perspectives not only in terms of communication and composition but also through Kriegel’s own instrument. The combination of vibraphone and guitar was then still fairly new. In 1968, Kriegel decided to make music his main profession. Thanks to "With A Little Help from My Friends" and an appearance at the German Jazz Festival in Frankfurt, he achieved the breakthrough into public recognition. Together with the vibraphonist Dave Pike, the bassist Hans Rettenbacher and the drummer Peter Baumeister, he founded the Dave Pike Set, which became for four years his artistic center and a beacon combo of European jazz rock. And for the SWF (Südwestfunk, today SWR) he went twice into the sound studio. With the exceptions of The Beatles’s anthem "Norwegian Wood" and "Mother People" by the young guitar berserker Frank Zappa, hardly any pieces by other musicians are still to be heard in these recordings.

Icasiano's drumming harnesses shocking power and does strange things to your perception of time and space. - Dave Segal, The Stranger. Filipino-American percussionist and composer Christopher Icasiano presents his debut solo work "Provinces," two suites that explore the complexity of cultural identity and community as a second generation immigrant in Seattle. Composed predominantly on the drum set, "Provinces" virtuosic rhythmic patterns evoke melodies over long cyclical phrases, while a lush color palette provided by keyboards and percussion fill out the soundscape. Added field recordings taken from Icasiano's first ancestral trip to the Philippines are blended in, transporting the listener to a world that is foreign yet familiar. Christopher's lifelong study of jazz, his love of 90's R&B and folk music, and his 12-year collaboration in the experimental drum and saxophone duo "Bad Luck," make "Provinces" a unique intersection of the avant-garde and the mainstream - always compelling, always challenging.

One of the best trumpet players in the world. -THOMAS CONRAD, JAZZTIMES. Trumpeter/composer Thomas Marriott has covered a lot of musical ground over his 11 Origin releases, most recently with the lush balladry of his 2019 recording, "Romance Language." For "Trumpet Ship," Marriott goes for the exuberant, highly intuitive, propelling joy that is a jam session. Here, that session includes three of the more electric and empathetic players in jazz - pianist Orrin Evans, bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Mark Whitfield Jr. - all long time collaborators with Marriott, recording in Seattle while on a quartet tour of the Northwest. Through a set of five Marriott originals along with a take on Jerome Kern's All the Things You Are, Gil Evans' Barracuda and the Sonny Simmons title tune, the quartet's spirit and chemistry shine. Vivid is the magic that comes from talented, trusting friends and first takes.