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:  I’ll Never Be the Same Artist:  Jack Brandfield Label:  Gut Strings Records Website:  www.jackbrandfield.com Cool jazz finds another recruit in saxophonist-interpreter Jack Brandfield.  His latest release I'll Never Be the Same is a pleasing elixir on the senses with reworkings of a handful of jazz standards.  Accompanied by Randy Napoleon on guitar and Rodney Whitaker on bass, the smooth strut of Brandfield's music purveys a succor effect.  Traditional bebop idioms can be heard in his verses in addition to his impulse to improvise, presenting ear-catching trajectories along the melodic progressions. "Nobody Else But Me," a music score written by Jerome Kern, brings out Brandfield's charismatic personality as his saxophone soars with vibrant swirls and twists that keep the melody active.  The silky tresses of Brandfield's sax trotting along "Vignette" produce a merriment that leaves fond impressions on listeners, which then slows to a sl...

Album:  In a Big City Artist:  Igor Kogan Label: Self-Released Website:  https://www.koganigormusic.com In a Big City is the debut release from bassist/bandleader Igor Kogan, featuring all original compositions.  Accompanied by Jeremy Lappitt on tenor saxophone, Joshua Aguiar on trumpet and flugelhorn, Marco Apicella on piano, Matthew Baker on drums, and special guest jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton, the recording shuffles between soothing ballads and  traditional jazz motifs, sprinkled in pinches of improvised anecdotes and dashes of whirling horns with a bop-inspired palette. Kogan's bass solo on "Bass Introduction" travels in frenzied patterns that are strangely calming on the listener.  His urgent movements produce a frothy gurgle that projects a softness and easiness through the track.  The recording segues into "New York Blues" showcasing the smooth stylizing of Lappitt's saxophone, Aguiar's trumpet, and Apicella's piano, tethered to a reclining ...