LIVE AT SWEET BASIL 2

MOVIN OUT

Nothing hones a pianist's sense of color, rhythm & harmonic subtlety more than accompanying vocalists - Norman brings that experience to playing, giving unique insight & meaning to this program of standards & originals, featuring Eric Alexander, Henry Johnson & others

Tenor saxophonist leads his group through the "groove" sounds of the 70's w. Bernard Purdie-drms, Joey Defrancesco-organ, Rodney Jones-gtr, Tracy Wormsworth-bss

SYNTHESIS

Hard grooving acid jazz-style session by the players who defined the term "acid jazz" - Earland, Bernard Purdie, Melvin Sparks & Carlos Ganett; album is part of the Groove Master Series

SPIRITS IN THE FIELD

Heid plays a cookin' tribute to the heros of the chitlin' circuit w. a batch of imaginative original tunes & 1 standard, backed up by Perry Hughes-gtr & Randy Gillespie-drms

Young alto sax player swings from Cannonball to Parker, feat. a group of young players inc. Russell Gunn-tpt, Alan Palmer-pno, Dwayne Dolphin-bss, Cecil Brooks III-drms

Blythe is one of those rare talents in jazz who has the uncanny ability to appeal to both mainstream & avant garde tastes simultaneously. His latest outing highlights those similarities while also exhibiting Blythe's totally unique sound & individual approach. Of course, there are some Coltrane tunes, some standards & a few originals too. Through it all, his playing remains emotionally direct & ably supported by the monster piano chops of John Hicks. Bassist Dwayne Dolphin & drummer Cecil Brooks III provide the rhythmic thrust.

Alto saxophonist is joined by his friend Russell Gunn on his latest hard-bop album, produced by drummer Cecil Brooks III; Bruce shows versatility with tunes like the bluesy "Elijah's Blues," the swinging Parker-esque "Three Crows On Guard" & the unique take on "You Are So Beautiful"

Emerging from the Don Patterson/Larry Young school of playing, Heid has succeeded in developing a new sound for the Hammond keyboard, transposing hard-bop licks to the organ; here is a hard-driving, take-no-prisoners quartet session feat. saxophonist Scott "E-Dog" Peterson, trumpeter Joe Magnarelli & drummer Randy Gelespie

E-BOP

Arthur Blythe is "the magic figure of reconciliation, the force of consensus, that modern jazz has ben looking for in vain since the death of John Coltrane - Jazz Times". This album is a must HEAR!

Though the term "visionary" is rather overused, it certainly applies to tenor saxophonist and composer JD Allen. A musical sponge of sorts, Allen is a remarkable amalgam of a wide variety of musical styles and influences, blurring the boundaries of contemporary jazz by creating a dynamic fusion of tradition and modernity. There is a decidedly "third stream" quality to Allen's compositions, combining as they do advanced classical compositional techniques, the incorporation of electronic sounds and the distillation of historic jazz genres such as call and response, field hollers and, of course, the blues. This type of music relies on the total dedication of all the performers and Allen's latest recording features three of his regular colleagues, the acoustic and electric basses of Gregg August and Ian Kenselaar and the remarkably expressive drummer, Nic Cacioppo. These men have worked with Allen on his previous Savant recordings, perhaps most notably on the unofficial trilogy of "Americana," "Americana Vol. 2" and "Barracoon," and can be considered kindred spirits with their leader. Together, they delve into themes of culture and history, offering moving narratives through their sophisticated approach and profound improvisational skills.