Almanac- Nock-Maupin-McBee-Marshall Almanac, featuring Mike Nock, Bennie Maupin, Cecil McBee and Eddie Marshall is a stunning album that draws its power from the strength of its performers, compositions that are melodic but adventurous and a recording that is so good that it qualifies as “demo” material. This is not “safe” jazz, but it isn’t aimless either: it works because the compositions are strong and the players are up to the task.  The recording, made at Columbia University, was mixed by David Baker and it’s wonderful, chock full of goodies that aren’t there for sonic... Read More

Boomerang featuring Mark Stein  Boomerang- by definition, something that returns to the originator. Mark Stein may have been ahead of his time. As a founding member of Vanilla Fudge, largely remembered for the hit “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” Stein cultivated an organ rich sound that influenced other heavy organ rock bands, most notably, Deep Purple; Stein is credited as an originator of sounds that bridged psychedelia with what eventually became heavy metal. I’m not sure that is an entirely accurate picture of the music at the time; there were lots of “heavy rock” bands in the... Read More

Kent Glenn- Good for the Garden Kent Glenn’s Good for the Garden initially lured me in because the cover art was the antithesis of the music on the record. Glorious jazz from an L.A. composer who was, even at the time the album was released, “considered one of the most overlooked, underrated composers on the L.A. jazz scene.” (liner notes by Gary G. Vercelli, KPFK, L.A; Down Beat). The record starts with the title track — a harmonious horn section and some great drumming. “Ambivilance” -slows it down with a plaintive wail and some even/odd notes held in background- the... Read More

Bombadil- Beautiful Country Bombadil- I’ll confess to not knowing much about this band and further admit that I don’t listen to much “pop” music these days (in the sense of sweet songs that focus on harmonies and catchy hooks). I’ll also acknowledge that I really like this record—these guys are extremely accomplished—gorgeous harmonies, upbeat folk/ pop tunes and a recording that conveys enormously well- from deep bass and drum sounds to the tickle of plucked strings, the staging of the voices and handclaps.  I mentioned in my “Incoming” snapshot that this Bombadil... Read More

BRAHJA- Self-Titled A cooperative of musicians, led by Devin Brahja Waldman of New York, recorded this album in a de-sanctified church in rural Quebec (with additional recording and mixing in New York); it captures a marvelous mixture of sounds, textures and melodic themes composed, arranged and produced by Waldman (whose friends refers to him as “Brahja”). The group on this album is comprised of some core members who have played together for 11 years; many of them met in Montreal, where Waldman attended music school.  The album starts with “In the Mess,” cymbal tapping, drone and... Read More