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Bill Charlap Trio – Notes From New York – Impulse!

Bill Charlap Trio – Notes From New York – Impulse!

by | May 22, 2016 | Jazz CD Reviews

Bill Charlap Trio – Notes From New York – Impulse! B0024830-02, 54:02 ****: The epitome of an elegant, intelligent, mainstream pianist. (Bill Charlap – piano; Peter Washington – bass; Kenny Washington – drums) Whitney Balliett (now deceased) writing for The New Yorker on April 19,1999 said this of Bill Charlap (then 32) as he was beginning to make his mark on the jazz scene: “His sound shines; each note is rounded. Best of all, in almost every number regardless of its speed, he leaves us a phrase, a group of irregular notes, an ardent bridge that shakes us.” Now almost twenty years later, with the same trio (Peter Washington – bass/ Kenny Washington – drums [not related]) that has been with him for about the same period, Bill Charlap and his band-mates continue to bristle with exuberance, and maintain an intriguing interchange that makes them one of the premier jazz trios of the day. The release of Notes From New York, is the band’s first recording on Impulse! For the most part, they eschew the tried and true song selections, for a more varied choice of lesser-known numbers, on which they can extend their imprimatur. Although the opener “I’ll Remember […]

Kenny Barron Trio – Book Of Intuition – Impulse!

Kenny Barron Trio – Book Of Intuition – Impulse!

by | Apr 22, 2016 | Jazz CD Reviews

Kenny Barron Trio – Book Of Intuition – Impulse! B0024648-02, 58.23 ****: A master class in taste, swing, and imagination. (Kenny Barron – piano; Kiyoshi Kitagawa – doublebass; Johnathan Blake – drums) Kenny Barron is one of those pianists who is “beyond category” as it relates to taste, swing, and imagination, along with the likes of other now departed luminaries such as Hank Jones, Tommy Flanagan, and Cedar Walton.  In this latest release entitled Book Of Intuition, Barron uses his own compositional repertoire as the foundation of the session, with a couple of Thelonious Monk’s more obtuse themes, plus a delightful Charlie Haden number. Working with his long time compatriots bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa and drummer Johnathan Blake, Barron uses sympathy and understanding from his band-mates to provide an elegant and smart mainstream session. “Magic Dance” sets the pace with a lively swinging Brazilian-styled excursion that has all the elements needed to engage the participants. As the name implies, “Bud Like” has Bud Powell written all over it from the strong single-note lines and blistering pace to the Powell phrasing. Barron takes advantage of Blake’s rhythmic drumming to both “walk the walk” and “talk the talk”. In 2010, the film Another […]

Audiophile Vinyl Reviews

Audiophile Vinyl Reviews

by | May 1, 2005 | Special Features

It’s been too long ago that we published our last vinyl reviews, and we have a stack of ten of them to cover this issue. This undeniably high-resolution format (when done correctly) has been finding new fans at a goodly pace and in fact (though I feel it somewhat embarrassing to reveal) has been outpacing in sales the combined sales of both SACD and DVD-A formats. Younger audio buffs are discovering vinyl for the first time with many rock albums issued simultaneously now on both CD and LP. Older collectors who got rid of their turntable or record changer some years ago are going back to vinyl with one of the many high quality turntables now on offer. They find CDs just don’t float their boat anymore. Sure, there’s a number of hassles in the vinyl enjoyment experience we don’t need to go into now, as well as the expense. But there are plenty of pros vs. the cons. There have been major improvements in high end record-playing gear in the last ten years or so. 180 and 200 gram pressings have reduced the possibility of warpage while improving fidelity. You have more of a genuine product with vinyl – […]