Review Excerpts
02 May, 2008
JAZZ CD REVIEW
Elegance and Skill
Review by Don Albert
Jim Eigo of Jazz Promo Service in New York sure works hard for his clients. He regularly sends me CDs by the artists he represents on labels never seen in this country. The following, I'm certain, will be just up your street:
Two of the greatest trombonists in jazz, Frank Rosolino and Carl Fontana, have passed on, but they were recorded together in Vancouver in 1978 on an Uptown CD titled Trombone Heaven. Besides being wonderful jazz, the trombone statements made by these two are stunning - at times amazing.
The opening track has Rosolino playing "Here's that rainy day". I thought no-one would be able to follow that, but it segues into Fontana playing "Stardust". After the verse he moves into the chorus, and then into double time, which will leave you slack-jawed, especially the coda. Here and there, there is a little showboating because of the concert atmosphere, but no trombonist or lover of the instrument would want to be without these 79 minutes of trombone mastery.
Homecoming: Live at the Iridium is a double CD on IPO by Eddie Daniels, who even in this New York club appearance keeps his cool, never allowing audience or setting to take anything away from his elegant clarinet playing. He also plays tenor saxophone on certain tracks, the most satisfying being "Falling in love with love".
"Django" and "Déja vu MJQ" are perfect settings for his clarinet playing, and with Joe Locke's vibes, there is a distinct Modern Jazz Quartet feel. The all-out tempo of "That's for afta" displays his clarinet bop chops. Backed by pianist Tom Ranier, bassist Dave Finck and drummer Joe La Barbera, the music is always skilful and mostly laid back, but it never quite gets to boiling point. (Go to: www.iporecordings. com.)
I'm sure someone out there is looking for a jazz bassoon CD. This instrument is rarely heard in jazz, and bassoonist Daniel Smith fills the gap. First he released Bebop Bassoon and now he has The Swingin' Bassoon, both on the Sah Zah label. It's an acquired taste, but backed by a solid rhythm section, Smith bravely goes into the almost uncharted waters with gusto. There are 11 tracks, including "I'm getting sentimental over you", "Summer samba" and "A night in Tunisia". (Go to: www.danielsmithbassoon.com.)
Dwelling on the unusual, there is a duo of violinist Jason Kao Hwang and Sang Won Park, who plays Korean zithers, kayagum (12-string, plucked) and ajeng (six-string, bowed with resined stick). The music is ancient and modern at the same time. I'm sure musicologists and those who want something completely different will find it fascinating. The CD is titled Local Lingo.
For further information on any of the above, contact Jim Eigo at: jazzpromo @earthlink.net.
