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Ronnie Cuber – Cuber Libre / Sam Jones – Changes and Things – both Elemental/Xanadu

Ronnie Cuber – Cuber Libre / Sam Jones – Changes and Things – both Elemental/Xanadu

by | Aug 9, 2016 | Jazz CD Reviews

Two more Xanadu reissues of note. Ronnie Cuber – Cuber Libre – Elemental/Xanadu 90607, 52:48  (1976) ****: (Ronnie Cuber – baritone sax) Sam Jones – Changes and Things – Elemental/Xanadu 906088, 41:58 (1977) ****:) (Sam Jones – bass; Blue Mitchell – trumpet; Slide Hampton – trombone; Bob Berg – tenor sax; Barry Harris – piano; Louis Hayes – drums) At the time that Cuber Libre was issued, Ronnie Cuber was 34 years old, and this was his debut as a leader. He was a sideman, and cut his teeth playing baritone sax for pop legends such as Aretha, Clapton, Steely Dan, and Dr. John. He continues to go strong today and his rock solid baritone anchors the tribute Mingus Big Band. Ronnie is noted for his big throaty baritone timbre and it is put to good use on an extended “Star Eyes.” It’s off to the races on”Rifftide” with Barry Harris quoting “Lady Be Good.” “Sudwest Funk” is a double-time 12 bar blues. Donald Byrd wrote this track and it’s fun to compare it to Byrd’s recorded version that featured Pepper Adams on baritone. Sam Jones’ Changes and Things from 1977 come highly recommended as it has a dream front […]

Walt Weiskopf, sax – The Way You Say It – Posi-Tone

Walt Weiskopf, sax – The Way You Say It – Posi-Tone

by | Apr 9, 2016 | Jazz CD Reviews

Walt Weiskopf – The Way You Say It – Posi-Tone PR 8150, 51:32 ****: A spirited and accomplished session from a creative band. (Walt Weiskopf –  tenor saxophone; Brian Charette – organ; Behn Gillece – vibraphone; Steve Fidyk – drums) A review of the discography of Walt Weiskopf, either as a leader or sideman, points to a versatile player who appears to be at home in a variety of musical forms and circumstances. His early influences were John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, and although they still poke their noses in his style today, nevertheless, he is very much his own man and his latest release The Way You Say It shows it. Working with a cohort that includes organist Brian Charente, vibraphonist Behn Gillece and drummer Steve Fidyk, the quartet tackles a set list of predominantly Weiskopf originals but sprinkled with three tasty covers including Charlie Parker’s “Segment”, the Joe Zawinul/Wayne Shorter number “Scarlet Woman” and that old standby “Candy” written by Alex Kramer, Mack David and Joan Whitney. Starting with “Coffee And Scones” which sounds more like breakfast than a musical number, the band deals with it in exemplary fashion as Weiskopf shows incisive poise, and vibraphonist Gillette is […]