jazz2love

Album:  No Mentions, No Worries Artist:  Jonathan Mills Label Name: Self-Released Website:  www.jonathanmillsdrums.com No Mentions, No Worries is leader, composer and drummer Jonathan Mills’s debut full-length album intermingling a traditional straight-ahead jazz fare with contemporary stylizing, designed as a collection of thoughtful journeys that describe a harmonious world.  The lulling riffs of "For Hadley’s Folks” put listeners at ease with Luke Weathington's alto sax providing a stream of luxuriating sonic clusters.  The fibrillating saxophone toots leisurely paddling along “When My Mind’s Quiet” stokes a fireside warmth that lets the listener melt into its palliative fumes, coalescing the vibes of swing, bebop and bossa nova. “Solecism” is latticed in breezy saxophone swirls, eliciting a relaxing atmosphere as Patrick Arthur's guitar strings disseminate a soothing aroma through the homespun broth.  Wafting of bebop impulses permeating from Tyrone Ja...

Album:  Sing A Song of Bird Artist:  Roseanna Vitro Label:  Skyline Records Website:  https://roseannavitrojazz.squarespace.com/skyline-records-1 Sing A Song of Bird is the 15th recording from Grammy-nominated vocalist Roseanna Vitro, who shares vocal leads with some of her mentors including the late bebop jazz legend Bob Dorough, Sheila Jordan, and Marion Cowings each of whom take solo turns, imprinting their own unique and soulful interpretations on several compositions by Charlie "Bird" Parker.  The recording is a celebration of Bird’s music, conceived and guided by Vitro.  Produced by Paul Wickliffe, the release relishes the fancyfree spirit that enabled Parker to take flight. The buoyant scatting along "The Scatter" infuses a percolating thrust into the melody, giving the tune a catchy vibe.  Moreover, the elevating flights made by Mark Gross on alto sax propping up "Bird's Song" stir up merriment from start to finish.  The recording cools t...

Album:  Incontre Artist: Massimo Biolcati Label: Sounderscore Website: www.massimobiolcati.com Bass player, bandleader, and arranger Massimo Biolcati releases his sophomore endeavor Incontre , following his debut full-length release Persona from 2008.  Sensuous, refined, and inventive, Biolcati's offering caresses listeners senses and stimulates their concept of stylized arrangements. Biolcati's bass line on "Hello, I Lied" invites drummer Jongkuk Kim, pianist Sam Yahel, and saxophonist Dayna Stephens to travel on their own, inventing animated improvisations.  The main theme is a catchy hook that the wandering musicians venture off from and return to like a home base.  Moving on, "Boo Boo's Birthday," originally written by Thelonious Monk and dedicated to drummer Art Blakey, crafts rhythmic twists that absorb the listener and demonstrate the musicians flexibility and versatility.  Another tribute to jazz greats is Biolcati's rendition of "D...

Album:  New Sounds from the Jazz Age Artist:  Lizzie Thomas Label:  LIzzie Thomas Music Website:  www.lizziethomas.net Jazz chanteuse Lizzie Thomas releases her fourth album, New Sounds from the Jazz Age , offering aurally gorgeous interpretations of nine classic standards from the Great American Songbook. Endowed with a soothing register reminiscent of her predecessors of the Jazz Age/Prohibition Era, Thomas renews the silky vibrations heralded from generation to generation, becoming a part of the collective consciousness.  Thomas' latest recording adds her voice to the global collective of gorgeous voices. The bossa nova sway of "In The Still of the Night" cradles the caressing vibrations of Thomas' vocals, ladling the melody with seductive undulations.  The fluidity of the track is graced by her warm vocal tones.  Quite a bit more jaunty, Thomas handles "One Note Samba" with the rapid gusto of a typewriter moving at 100 words per minute speed....