MAIN EVENT. A Good Place to Get Started --- a.k.a "Table of Contents"
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MAIN EVENT. A Good Place to Get Started --- a.k.a "Table of Contents" |
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VINX (his parents dubbed him Vincent De Jon Parrette) is a talented songwriter, a scintillating singer, and a competent percussionist. He's been working in show business since the late 70s, with such names as Taj Mahal, Sting, Herbie Hancock, Branford Marsalis and Meshell Ndegeocello.
The artist describes himself as a songwriter. "Secondly, I would consider myself a decent balladeer, you know, a good singer. But then probably third, percussionist. And as a musician, percussionist, I sing like a drummer. I sing like a percussionist, and thats how I hear things."
The baker's dozen of songs on the disc include a couple of instrumentals, two standards: My Funny Valentine" and Carole King's glorious anthem, "Its Too Late." The rest are nicely crafted songs assisted by thoughtful lyrics.
Berlin-based Traumton deserves a hearty handshake for this delightful album, which deftly toes the line between pop and jazz. Nice job, VINX!
MacDonald is back with a vengeance on his superb "Into the Blue" (Gadfly Records), sporting his usual gorgeous, resonant voice and displaying once more his outstanding talent as a songwriter. His lyrics are splashed with humor.
As MacDonald says:
"Remember when life was in a book you read/something you watched on television/you neglected your body and fed your head/trying to figure out what you were missing/ Now you don't believe there could be anything too drastic/that you can't fix with a little piece of plastic/and you're gonna find the answer, you know you will/but first you got to step outside and fire up the grill."
MacDonald possesses a voice that's as smooth and comfortable as your favorite pair of sneakers. His penchant for humor in combination with those silky vocal cords proves surprising as well as endearing.
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The album's opening tune, the guaranteed rouser in any booze joint in the U.S., is the funny "16 Tons of Monkeys." But "I Know a Place" sounds more appropriate for a country band. Things are a bit livelier on "Murder My Heart," but overall the band sounds as if the recording sessions were something to endure, not something in which to bring forth recording heaven.
When I received "An Evening of Jazz With the John-Harmon-Trio" (Klavier Records) some weeks ago, the CD arrived without a word giving clues about the group or its song choices. All I know is that several listenings prove that this is one of the best small-group CD s I have come across this year.
Recorded in crystal pure, 20 bit digital, live to two track, the album contains a hefty 75-plus minutes of superb music by a nifty piano trio. I am assuming that John Harmon is the pianist, as a couple of the tunes list him as composer. Otherwise, credits are missing for the drummer and bassist, who are very, very good.
Best of all is the choices made: "Night and Day," "Im Beginning to See the Light," "For All We Know," "Our Love is Here to Stay, " and eight other songs played in impeccable style. Great songs, stellar arrangements.
Valentin plays in a variety of moods, adeptly mixing Latin jazz, light funky rhythms, a pop sensibility, and some world music. He also adds a strong emphasis on melody and isn't afraid to make a personal statement with his music. The result: mostly heaven.
Valentin surrounds himself with his usual stable of regulars, including pianist Bill O'Connell, bassist Ruben Rodriguez, drummer Robbie Ameen and percussionist Milton Cardona. Joining as guest artists are vibraphonist Dave Samuels, guitarist Steve Kahn, sax wizard Ed Calle, and percussionist Rafael de Jesus.
The album contains mostly originals, all played with a skill and warmth that Valentin fans have come to expert. He gets a lovely sound from his flutes, as pretty as there is, but he can blow hot and raunchy when the occasion permits.
Regular readers of this column know how I complain about so-called Smooth Jazz. If you insist on listening to such, then go for one of the best working in this overtly commercial venture. That's Dave Valentin.
VINX's new album, "Big n Round" (Traumton Records), is his fifth solo disc. His voice has echoes of Seal, who was a popular quiet rocker a few years ago. The music is jazz with pop sensibilities. VINX performs with guitarist Jeff Lockart, percussionist Andrew Daniels, and Berlin cellist Ulrich MaiB. The result is a captivating album that demands frequent trips on your CD equipment.
Folk Expert
Rod MacDonald has been credited as one of the leaders of the folk revival of the 80s. He founded the Greenwich Village Folk Festival in 1987. With two hit albums during those years ("No Commercial Traffic" and "White Buffalo"), then another winner two years ago with "And Then He Woke Up."
"I was talking to my wife the other day/wait a minute--when did I get a wife?/she said y'know, we don't change so much/we just put on different clothing./I was looking around the house the other day/wait a minute--when did we get a house?/she said, y'now, it's gonna need some work/if it's gonna be worth owning.
Tonio K. Returns
For more than two decades the musicians comprising Tonio K. have been bouncing around from one label to another. The band started out with CBS Records, getting critical raves for "Life in the Foodchain" and "Amerika." CBS showed them the door and Capitol-EMI welcomed them, then they had to shift to A&M. Well, you get the idea.
The men of Tonio K. are back, their third album with the small company Gadfly Records, in Burlington, Vt. "Yugoslavia" is a slightly disappointing venture because of the unevenness shown by the group. There some excellent songs here, but they misfire through the seemingly bored manner in which the group performs.
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Who Are These Guys?
Almost all of the albums I receive for review are accompanied by publicity materials, i.e. a biography of the session's leader, quotes from members of the band, and a rundown of the tunes on the CD.
Valentin's Breeze Pleases
Dave Valentin, who plays perhaps the sweetest flute in jazz circles, has left the GRP label after years of successful albums. He landed at Concord Records, which has just released "Sunshower," which might be called one of his most exciting albums in years.
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