jazz2love

Album:  Self-Titled Artist:  Woodsliders Collective Label:  Self-Released Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/woodsiderscollective Website:  https://woodsiderscollective.com/#ABOUT Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@woodsiderscollective7810 Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/artist/3GWsbX6rA41kjhrhCP0Wqx Based in New York City's Woodside, Queens neighborhood, the Woodsiders Collective is a collaboration of saxophonist Luis Sigüenza from Ecuador, trombonist Justus Heher from Germany, pianist Andrew McGowan from New Orleans, Louisiana, guitarist Yuto Kanazawa from Japan, and Russian/Belgian drummer Ilya Dynov.  Together, the quintet takes harmonious aesthetics and melodic sensibilities, relatable to icons like Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond and John Coltrane, to the next level of adult contemporary jazz.   Their self-titled recording from 2021 shows a flare for straight-ahead jazz improvising and cool Bohemian jazz stylizing, propagating a r...

Album:  Perseverance Artist:  Melvin Smith Label Name: MISMWO Music Website: melvinsmithsax.com Leader and saxophonist Melvin Smith has honed his chops on both commercial and spiritual recordings and performances.  The jazz improviser in him comes through on his latest offering Perseverance from MISMWO Music.  Produced by Smith, the recording has the liberating spirit of John Coltrane fused with a warm sizzle slanted to instill an after-hours decompression in the listener.  Smith's music fits into one's lifestyle as a way to unwind and soak up the peaceful aesthetics he offers. The calming atmosphere of "Letter to the Ancestors" is bolstered by the buttery texture of Smith's whimsical musings as organist Greg Lewis embellishes the track with teased knots and loose furls etched along the melodic patterns.  “Beatitudes - Interlude,” a Bobby Watson original, has a soothing sonorous that caresses the listener with a pure tenderness.  "One By One," an Art ...

Album:  Mood Walk Artist:  Fred Randolph Label:  Creative Spirit Records Website:  https://fredrandolph.com Moon Walk , the fourth CD from bassist-composer Fred Randolph as a leader applies Big Band swing panache with bebop flare.  Inspired by the likes of Clifford Brown, Chick Corea, and John Coltrane, Randolph's team of players perform what one expects from a jazz outing with tunes that shuffle and waltz,  engage in quick steps and stargazing, the recording touches numerous precepts of the jazz repertoire. The honeyed wisps of Sheldon Brown's flute infuse "Strange Game" with a cushiony texture as Brian Rice's percussive chimes shower glittering sprinkles across the track.  The ethereal feel of the composition acts like a balmy salve on the aural senses, evoking a stargazing ambience.  The CD changes course on the title track, blowing out with vibrant Big Band hued shrapnel as the wailing toots of the horns give the composition depth and add ...