reviews

  • Review: Josh Roseman – New Constellations (Live In Vienna)

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    Josh Roseman’s latest recording is horn-driven, funked out, spacey reggae with a dose of dub tossed in for good measure. Roseman’s trombone, whether it’s straight and buttery, muted, electrified, or chorused is front and center on all the tunes. Like his two earlier recordings, Cherry and the very excellent Treats For The Nightwalker, New Constellations…

  • Review: Metro – Express

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    I’ve listened to Metro’s latest release a half dozen times over the last week. I’m not sure if I get it or I’m missing something – yes, this release is not as rocking and balls to the wall as MetroLive was, but after all, that was probably their most rock like recording to date. Express is…

  • Review: Alan Pasqua – The Anti Social Club

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    A veteran keyboardist who’s played with Tony Williams in his Lifetime band, Alan Pasqua has released a seven track jewel of a fusion masterpiece that harkens back to Miles (i.e., In A Silent Way), the Headhunters, and Weather Report. In fact, every time I listen to The Anti Social Club, I keep hearing more influences….

  • cover art to Christmas Present by smooth jazz artist Boney James
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    Boney James – Christmas Present

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    Boney James is now two for two for excellent holiday recordings. Almost a decade ago, I reviewed the saxman’s first seasonal CD, Boney’s Funky Christmas, and was impressed. I love the Christmas season and have a larger-than-average number of related discs. The fact that this is one of them that I put on first each…

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    Review: Mark Hollingsworth – Chasing the Sun

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    For the last week I’ve been trying to find the right words to describe veteran studio saxophonist Mark Hollingsworth’s latest release, Chasing the Sun. I keep going back and re-listening to these well composed, excellently performed, but totally dissimilar 13 tracks. How best to describe what’s on Chasing the Sun; Brecker Brother-ish, Steely Dan like,…