jazz2love

  New Release:  Prog vs. Fusion:  A War of the Ages from Ed Palermo Big Band Label: Sky Cat Records Street Date: April 18, 2025 Website:  www.palermobigband.com The music of Ed Palermo Big Band sow elements of experimental jazz merged with cinematic sound, theatrical intensity, piercing glam rock thunder, and high octane orchestrations to produce playful genre-bending mash-ups on the band's release Prog vs. Fusion .  Palermo's innovative pollination of musical styles creates a laser light show for the ears with horns layered into multi-tiered soundscapes, electro-pop effects that infuse explosive fireworks streaking across the melodic progressions, and scores that plunge into big band jazz tremors like their revamp of "Long Distance Runaround," written by Jon Anderson of the '70s rock band Yes.  Palermo's breed of jazz rock weaves Chick Corea's melodic motifs with Frank Zappa's prog rock fervor on "Spanish G-Spot Tornado," and stokes whirlwin...

Album:  World Traveler Artist:  Aleksi Glick Label:  Pinch Records Website:  https://www.aleksiglick.com World Traveler, the new recording from guitarist and composer Aleksi Glick fuses jazz guitar hooks with R&B/soul grooves and bossa nova trimmings, offering a listening experience filled with feel good vibrations from start to finish.  Featuring vocalist Laureana on a handful of tracks, Glick opens the listener's mind to picturesque soundscapes and aurally pleasing explorations. The bossa nova wavelets traveling along "Guitar and Me" are steered by Glick's shimmering chords, producing an atmospheric sonorous that suspends the listener, keeping one in blissful flight.  Laureana's soulful vocals sweep sensually across the bluesy terrain of "She Told Me," moves rhythmically along the bubbly R&B traction of "Leaving LA." and coasts smoothly through the soothing Latin tremors found in "Nordic Bossa."  Musical influences of jazz ...

Album:  Spheres Artist:  Scott Emmerman Label: Self-Released Website:  scottemmerman.bandcamp.com Power guitar rock seems to be a theme of days gone by but guitarist, composer, and arranger Scott Emmerman revives the custom, infusing trimmings of funky dances grooves gilded in ambient jazz hues and ribbed in soft R&B-encrusted knolls crooning along his latest release Spheres .  A refined outgrowth of power rock, Emmerman's music has an adult contemporary sheen and world class luster. Recorded in the spring of 2023, the recording features Emmerman's long-time friend, collaborator and drummer Marty Zevin.  Eight compositions out of the ten-track CD are originals written by Emmerman.   One of the other two tracks is a profusion of psychedelics, produced by lofty synth effects that create a prismatic glaze across "Judgement Day," a collaboration with Emmerman and Zevin.  The last track is a cover. as Emmerman navigates the hit song for the R&B...

Album:  Heart Mind and Soul Artist:  Randy Bernsen Label: Jerico Jams Website:  randybernsen.com Randy Bernsen exerts his prowess as a lyrical composer and versatile guitarist with this six-track release, Heart Mind and Soul , his 11th project as a leader.  The melodic motifs, as though glass-blown from his guitar, are scaffold by the clarion toots of saxophonists Bob Mintzer and Bob Franceschini, interspersed by the sleek flickers of Dan Davis's trumpet.  The rhythm section comprised of bass player Jimmy Haslip, drummer David Nizri, and keyboardists George Whitty and Uzi Nizri complement the harmonic forms. The octet create multifaceted soundscapes, parlaying an assortment of jazz fusion blends from smooth jazz clauses, bop-induced lobes, and improvised excursions.  Bernsen inseminates sizzling streaks across"Chant 881," giving the score a shot of spontaneity as his improvised fragments form unrestrained ruptures and agile curves along its progression....

Album:  Up and Gone Artist: The Moore-McColl Jazz Society Label: Madison Records Website: www.mooremccolljazz.com In the vane of jazz fusion combos like Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and Sly and the Family Stone, the music of The Moore-McColl Jazz Society has a jam session vibe, acting as a conduit of the present phase of bluesy, grooving, strutting, cool jazz along the time continuum.   As time moves forward, so too does the music of The Moore-McColl Jazz Society.  Comprised of Beth Moore (vocals, piano, Rhodes, and organ) and Chance McColl (electric guitar and vocals), the duo exhibit a bond that enthralls the listener.  Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the pair's third recording Up and Gone fuses a modern panoply of blues, funk, and contemporary hues of jazz. The opening track, “What’s Still Happening!!” has a ‘70s-inspired buoyancy, accentuated by the lobbing arcs of the alto saxophone and the gritty blues features of McColl's guitar riffs.  Moore's gr...

Album:  Standing Eight Artist/:  Jeremy Green Label:  Self-Released Website:  https://jeremygreenguitar.com Standing Eight, the latest CD from guitarist Jeremy Green is an 8-song recording that fuses funk with  blues rock, adult pop,  and  jazz.  The release showcases an assortment of illustrious performers from the rock, pop and jazz worlds including Jimmy Haslip and Billy Sheehan on bass and Mike Stern on guitar.  With all songs written by Green, the tracks are a collaborative effort with band members, adding their input to the arrangement. The laid back vibe of "Michael and Me" has a vintage '70s sheen in its blues rock grooves that transition into a repetitive funk pop pulse along "The Land of Oz."  The guitar licks play a prominent role in the tracks, shaping and defining the melodic progressions.  Reverberating effects echo across "Big Shoes," giving the track an abstract sonorous while laden with a rhythmic pattern that bran...

Album:  Connections Artist:  Steve Hunt Label:  Spice Rack Records Website:  http://stevehuntjazzpiano.com The esoteric mixture, which keyboardist-composer Steve Hunt whips up on his latest release Connections , has a multi-cultural flavor from Asian and Middle Eastern folk to western pop/rock.  Performing with an array of musicians, Hunt's creation offers listeners a panoramic listening experience, continuously moving forward and kneading new threads into the content. Hunt's meandering keys on "Carry On" are supported by the soft throbbing beats of bassist Jimmy Johnson and drummer Gary Husband as the chanting vocals of Nando Lauria infuse the track with ethereal wisps.  Dedicated to guitarist-composer Allan Holdsworth, the track has a spiritual vibe that is palpable.  Indisputably, the Asian-infused chimes opening "Now's The Time" have a playful jaunt that invites the listener along a passage filled with vignettes of frolicking horns and keys. Procee...

Album:  Future Shock Artist:  Michael Whalen Label: Spout/MWM Website:  https://www.michaelwhalen.com Jazz fusion meets progressive rock and electronica on Michael Whalen's new release Future Shock .  Comprised of all original compositions arranged and written by Whalen, the recording sizzles, sambas, and plumes, continuously delighting listeners. The Latin facets in Bob Magnuson's flute and shehnai coruscate gracefully across "La Hermosa Noche" while laced in Whalen's spangled synth effects, filament by a samba rhythm played by bassist Tony Levin and drummer Simon Phillips.  The toasty warm atmosphere continues with Magnuson's silky saxophone twirls cruising along "Lights of Home," projecting a vibe reminiscent of Kenny G's sensual furls, as Whalen's glittering synths swaddle the melody in beads of starlight.  Displaying a flare for creating romantic moods, Whalen's arrangement  for "Morning Song" shines with a love story luste...

Album:  Uncommon Measures Artist:  Lyle Workman Label: Blue Canoe Records Website:  www.bluecanoerecords.com/lyle_workman Guitarist Lyle Workman's latest release Uncommon Measures mixes elements of jazz fusion, power pop rock, and romantic symphonies.  Joined by a 63-piece orchestra of multiple instruments conducted by John Ashton Thomas that includes glockenspiel and a choir led by Aleta Braxton, Workman combines cinematic soundscapes with power rock surges.  Recorded at Abbey Road Studio in London, England, Workman's arrangements capture the musicians ever-changing state of flux, continually moving and extending, pluming and spiraling, immersing listeners in a cauldron of swirling figures and emanations. "North Star" starts off the recording with a menagerie of jazz fusion expressions, power pop rock riffs and romantic symphonies, forming multiple streams traveling parallel and sporadically crisscrossing.  Soaring strings are layered in blazing guitar ch...