reviews
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The Benoit/Freeman Project Review
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On 2.22.22 (Feb. 22, 2022), I was thinking about duets and some of my favorites. One that immediately came to mind was the first Benoit/Freeman Project. Here’s the review I wrote for a newsletter I wrote and designed for KBIA, the NPR station I worked at this time in 1994: A few years ago, Russ…
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Hiroshima – Departure
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Review of the contemporary jazz recording Departure by Hiroshima by John Hilderbrand I stopped writing reviews a few years ago. One of the major reasons is that I just didn’t have any new things to say. Fortunately, Hiroshima doesn’t have that problem. The group, led by Dan Kuramoto, continues to make their own East Meets…
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Hiroshima Legacy
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I’ve been a fan of Hiroshima for a long time. I love contemporary jazz. I love Japanese arts, culture, and society. It’s been a natural fit. I’ve been recommending The Best of Hiroshima compilation for a long time. It’s been the best compilation of their music from their earlier recordings. It’s also been their only…
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Review: Thunder from Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, and Victor Wooten
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Thunder. Rhythmic, melodic, rock you out, funk you up. Thunder! I can’t imagine a better name for this all-star collaboration between these three Bass Masters of the Universe. The thunderous power that is conjured up by SMV is awe-inspiring, not just in the low and middle registers, but in the compositions and arrangements as well….
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Review: The Dixon-Rhyne Project – Reinvention
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Hammond B-3 master Melvin Rhyne garnered himself a place in jazz history for his work with the legendary Wes Montgomery. Thus it was with caution that saxophonist Rob Dixon approached him about creating and recording a modernized approach to the jazz organ quartet. This Reinvention was to take place with the help of drummer Kenny…