CHOICE

FIVE PEDALS DEEP

NATURAL SELECTION

GOING EXPRESS

SNUCK OUT

ABSOLUTE ZAWINUL

WHEN I WAS LONG AGO

MUSIC FOR NONET & STRINGS: CHAMBER SONGS

BLACK HAWK DANCE

BOMBELLA

On the N.Y.C. contemporary jazz scene, electric guitarist Steve Cardenas has been one of the more reliable sidemen, playing with dozens of different ensembles. While not a distinctive player, his ability to blend into ensembles with his melodic and pliable sound is admirable. Bassist Ben Allison and drummer Rudy Royston offer supple and substantive support for Cardenas, as this music rolls along without a hitch throughout.

On their stunning duo release Bloom, guitarist Ben Monder & saxophonist Bill McHenry boldly exhibit total simpatico, complete trust in each other and the ability to thoroughly listen to each other to bring forth a true work of musical art. On ten tracks, they take the listener to a spectacular sound world of textural chords, evocative percussive effects, spontaneously created melodies and deep musical telepathy. Monder, whom Pat Metheny described as "a very evolved kind of musician" and the New York Times wrote was "a terror on his instrument" plays with an ethereal sound - a mainstay with a variety of artists from Paul Motian to Norah Jones - purrs instead of pounces, seduces rather than shouts, and caresses instead of crashes.

BIENESTAN

GHOSTS OF THE SUN

TIMSHELL