jazz2love

Album: Tres Libre Artist: Dan Moretti Label: Roots Grooves Records Website:  danmoretti.com Keyboardist, saxophonist, composer, and leader Dan Moretti unveils his twentieth recording Tres Libre with all original compositions written by Moretti.  His fusion of jazz, funk, blues, and soul make for a multi-faceted excursion for the aural senses. From the percolating grooves of "Mumbo Jumbo" to the smooth rippling wails of Moretti's tenor sax on "The Inner Side" and into the jittery palpitations of Marcus Santos's pandeiro playing along “Pandeiro-Funk,” Moretti offers a diverse range of musical expressions with Bruce Bartlett's guitar chords adding tingling accents along the melodic bed.  The soulful sonorous of Moretti's saxophone engulfs audiences in familiar terrain, intimating a vulnerability that resonates with listeners. Traversing into a Latin-infused soundscape, the tribal beats of "Escrito Jazz Libre” intergrate the driving congas of Cuban...

Album Review:  Dred Scott Rides Alone from Dred Scott Album:  Dred Scott Rides Alone Artist:  Dred Scott Label:   Ropeadope Website:  https://www.dredscott.com It is hard to imagine that all of the instruments on one recording -- piano, bass, drums, shaker, and keyboards are played by one individual but that is what multi-instrumentalist Dred Scott has done for his latest release Dred Scott Rides Alone .  A collage of voices contributes to the mixes, communicating a distinct phrase or statement from every instrument.  When layered, the multiple voices compose a series of vignettes that each come alive. The perky stride of the keys nimbly moving across "Flying Bighorn" permeate mirth and a celebratory mood as though the notes convey an over-arching joy to be alive.  Likewise, many of the tracks display this spirited feel that is inviting and spills out into the audience.  The pensive vibe of "Remember PN" is expressed by the glisteni...

CD:  Awakening Artist:  Gary Dean Smith Project Label:  MFRecordz Website:  https://www.gdspmusic.com/ Groove-oriented, the music of the Gary Dean Smith Project elevates and ligthens up the darkest of moods.  The quintet's latest release Awakening is purely feel good music.   From the dance-funk swivels of Jeff Lorber's keys augmented by the vaunting pumps of Jimmy Haslip's bass in "Lucky" to the smooth scoring of Gary Dean Smith's guitar chords crimping "This Yearning," GDSP takes their cues from an innate sense of rhythm liken to the R&B masters before them. "Lenny's Lament" is an easy listening tune with the soft tremors of Donald Young's trumpet alternating with the buoyant bubbles of Smith's guitar notes. Moving in a seamless flow, the music has a contemporary glint. The earthy texture in Mer Sal's vocals are robust, suspended above the syncopated thrusts of Steve Fitzgerald's drums and silhouette in the j...