jazz2love

Album:  Trio Vol. VI Artist:  Takeshi Asai Label:  Fono Bono Records Websites: http://www.takeshiasai.com/index.html http://triov6.takeshiasai.com http://epk.takeshiasai.com Trio Vol. VI , the 6th trio album from pianist-arranger-composer-producer Takeshi Asai showcases his versatility as a jazz improviser, a straight-ahead jazz raconteur, and a torch song balladeer.  Joined by his longtime partners, bassist Bob Gingery and drummer Brian Woodruff, Asai takes audiences along a series of vignettes clad in daydreaming reflections and expressive phrasing.  The album includes 9 original compositions written by Takeshi, many of whom are dedicated to popular figures, and one popular song, "Fire and Rain" penned by James Taylor. A conceptual orator, Asai's performance affects listeners powerfully, rousing their mental sensibilities to conceive picturesque landscapes along the lulling swells of "Iota" and "Mes Demoiselles," which is dedicated to Pablo Picasso. 

Album: Vortex Artist: Kenny Shanker Label: Wise Cat Records Website: www.kennyshanker.com   and www.wisecatrecords.com Saxophonist Kenny Shanker is back with his third release Vortex and his first outing on Wise Cat Records.   From the bustling, urban-like activity of the title track to the leisurely wandering stroll of “Lulu’s Back in Town” and the waltzing cantor of “Winter Song,” Shanker’s playing describes images that listeners can easily envision, each relatable to real world scenes. The bowing and refracting of Yoshi Waki’s bass along “Winter Song” adds another element alongside Shanker’s pendulum-swinging saxophone toots, while the frenzied pace of his saxophone fomenting “Hunter” is joined by the rustling movements of Mike Eckroth’s keys and Daisuke Abe’s frothy guitar riffs.   “Rumble” lowers the tempo to a cruising gait, and “Nightfall” slows the pace to an introspective musing as Shanker’s saxophone imbues a nocturnal shimmer over the melodic soundscape.     Sha

Album: Distant Voices Artist: David Janeway Label: Steeplechase Lookout Website: www.davidjaneway.com   Distant Voices from pianist/leader David Janeway is his third jazz trio album and the first with his present working trio comprised of Cameron Brown on bass and the legendary Billy Hart on drums.   Featuring nine reworked arrangements and four original tracks penned by Janeway and inspired by his musical influences including Hank Jones, Walter Bishop Jr., Bill Evans, Duke Ellington, Ahmad Jamal, Larry Willis, Cedar Walton, and Herbie Hancock, the recording intertwines aspects of bebop, swing, blues, and straight-ahead jazz. The improvised excursions of Janeway’s keys are grounded by the swinging bass pulse of Brown and pulsating drumming of Hart along Hank Jones’ iconic “Minor Contention,” flexing a tranquil versing through Mercer Ellington’s trademark tune ‘Blue Serge” as Janeway showcases a flare for crafting soothing aesthetics, ideal for cocktail lounge ambiences.  

Album:  What a Difference a Day Made Artist: Ermelinda Cuellar Label: Self-Released Website: www.ermelindacuellar.com   The lush and penetrative vocal textures of Ermelinda Cuellar are entrancing, displaying an elegance that’s unparallel to others, demonstrated on her latest release What a Difference a Day Made .   Fraught with modern jazz standards, Cuellar fuses bossa nova smoothness with swing blues sophistication.   The clarity in her voicing is inviting, encouraging an intimacy with her audience that is ideal for building a lasting bond with listeners. Her vocals caress the melodies, imprinting gentle cascades, sleek glides, and flickering embers along the melodic progressions with an ease that is bewitching.   Her treatment of “Midnight Sun” partners the smoothness of jazz vocals with the exotic tingles of Latin grooves.   The intensity in her storytelling, sung intermittently between English and Spanish, enhances the sentiment projected in the lyrics.   Her improvise