Album Review: Mazel Tov Kocktail from Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine
Album: Mazel Tov Kocktail Artist: Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine Label: Tallman Productions Website: https://www.bigbandjazzmachine.com https://theirablissbigbandjazzmachine.bandcamp.com Celebrating its 40 anniversary, The Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine's 6th CD Mazel Tov Kocktail projects warm and upbeat sensations from start to finish. Conducted and produced by Liss, the release is comprised of original compositions by saxophonist Andrew Neu, arranger Dan Radlauer, pianist Scott Arcangel, trombonist Peter Herbozheimer, and composers/bandleaders Alan Baylock and George Stone. The recording celebrates the liveliness and bliss that big band orchestrations. The slate of tunes is a mix of jazz standards from both the 20th and 21st centuries polished to a clarion zest. Vocalist Carly Ines makes "High Wire" and "Love You Madly" pop with an infectious exuberance that the listener can't resist. Her scatting vocalese gives the tracks ...