Those readers who have been around since the earlier days of this blog (which is now over 4 years old) will recall that I used to regularly review new albums. Over the first 3+ years I generated well over 200 reviews, and had reached the point where I was pretty much flooded with review requests … Continue reading REVIEW: Lil’ Pookie – Just Want To Be Me
Tag: Review
REVIEW: The Reese Project – Eastern Standard Time
A new album from veteran jazz flautist Tom Reese's quartet, The Reese Project, continues down the same road traveled in the group's previous effort, 2008's This Just In. Which is to say that Eastern Standard Time, now out on the In The Groove label, is another nice collection of traditional jazz standards interspersed with some … Continue reading REVIEW: The Reese Project – Eastern Standard Time
REVIEW: High Performance – Live From Breaux Bridge: Part 2
If you liked High Performance – Live From Breaux Bridge: Part 1, which I reviewed earlier this year, then the odds are better than even that you'll like a new release from the folks at Swallow Records, the Cajun/Zydeco music specialists, because it's pretty much more of the same. High Performance – Live From Breaux … Continue reading REVIEW: High Performance – Live From Breaux Bridge: Part 2
REVIEW: Angela Hagenbach – The Way They Make Me Feel
A number of years ago Angela Hagenbach became a fan of the sound of jazz legend Sarah Vaughan, and it inspired her to make an abrupt turn in her own musical career. Although the former model had already had some success as both an instrumentalist and a pop singer, she decided that she would dedicate … Continue reading REVIEW: Angela Hagenbach – The Way They Make Me Feel
REVIEW: Count Basie Orchestra – Swinging, Singing, Playing
One of the best of the many "ghost" bands that have operated through the years would have to be that of Count Basie. Although he died over twenty years ago, the Count Basie Orchestra -- or the CBO, as it calls itself (complete with a nifty logo that pictures all the group's members) -- has … Continue reading REVIEW: Count Basie Orchestra – Swinging, Singing, Playing
REVIEW: Gerald Wilson Orchestra – Detroit
When considering Gerald Wilson's Detroit, the orchestral suite he composed to commemorate the 30th anniversary of that city's International Jazz Festival, it would be easy to get sidetracked by his unbelievably long career. After all, he's been a vital part of the jazz scene for seven decades. But the simple fact is that his composition, … Continue reading REVIEW: Gerald Wilson Orchestra – Detroit
REVIEW: James Moody – Moody 4A
For someone who is at an age when most of us (including me) would be napping in the sun, James Moody is on quite a roll. After a warm reception for last year's Our Delight, an album that featured the legendary saxophonist's collaboration with the equally respected pianist Hank Jones and his quartet, Moody has … Continue reading REVIEW: James Moody – Moody 4A
REVIEW: Michael Olatuja — Speak
As someone who mostly writes about jazz, country music, and oldies (with the occasional foray into oddities like zydeco), I sometimes enjoy taking a look at something completely different. Speak, a new album on the Backdrop/ObliqSound label from Nigerian bassist and composer Michael Olatuja, is certainly just that. Although Olatuja is only 28 and this … Continue reading REVIEW: Michael Olatuja — Speak
REVIEW: Alvin Queen – Mighty Long Way
As a traditionalist -- at least in most things -- I have to admit that finding a new album that's reminiscent of the best in straight-ahead, traditional jazz is a distinct pleasure. It's sort of like running into a rumpled old friend and realizing how much you've missed him. Veteran drummer Alvin Queen's Mighty Long … Continue reading REVIEW: Alvin Queen – Mighty Long Way
REVIEW: Gabriel Espinosa – From Yucatan To Rio
I've been a fan of Latin jazz for a lot of years, and have noticed that Brazilian music seems to be the Big Dog. Which is not to say that there aren't plenty of other pooches in the pack, just that they seem to always be trotting along in the shadow of the alpha dog. … Continue reading REVIEW: Gabriel Espinosa – From Yucatan To Rio
Geezer Music Club 