Just when this year’s Oscar nominations have reminded us of how far the quality of film scores and songs have fallen, along comes jazz guitarist Dave Stryker‘s new album—Stryker With Strings Goes To The Movies. This collection of sublime performances of exceptional material restores faith in the importance of a movie’s aural screenplay. Since this … Continue reading
precondition, the recently released album from jazz guitarist Vincenzo Virgillito, is the most thought-provoking film soundtrack I’ve hear in a long time. Oh, sure, the film for it hasn’t been made yet, but all of the drama, tension, release, and emotion is there, believe me. Produced by Vincenzo Virgillito and Roberto Filoseta, precondition is a … Continue reading
What the world needs now are the contemporary jazz sounds of Doug MacDonald. Luckily, it is available on Santa Monica Session—the recently released album on Dmac Music. The songs performed display the musician’s versatility and sense of adventure. Familiar grooves are given a breezy treatment, and all is well with the world. A residual effect … Continue reading
What a delicious recording. Thank you, Benjie Porecki, for All That Matters. It will stay in my CD drive through the winter, and likely beyond. It is a comforting, stimulating, inspiring, collection of well curated songs, all played masterfully. There is a vibe captured on this album that reminds one of the process of falling … Continue reading
With Almost Home, Honolulu-based quartet Groovology makes their debut. It is a very promising appearance, with a unique balance to the varied playlist, and an attentiveness to each others superb musicianship. Groovology, indeed. There were sections of certain songs (especially with the title track) where I could not help but feel I was involved with … Continue reading
The Blur the Lines Project, the latest release from drummer, composer, bandleader, radio broadcaster, and educator Jae Sinnett, is a case of risk bringing reward. The entire project is bold, ambitious, exploratory, and very worthy of the time you’ll spend involved with listening to it. Musicians: Jae Sinnett (Drums, Vocals), Allen Farnham (Hammond Organ, Piano), … Continue reading
An extraordinary collection of rhythms, melodies, and expressions of thoughts within musical passages, Hō’ihi—the latest album from legendary Hawaiian drummer Noel Okimoto—delivers the best in original jazz. Okimoto drives things, meeting a septet of sublime musicians, all of whom get their chance to shine. Musicians: Noel Okimoto (drums, percussion, melodica), Dean Taba (electric and acoustic … Continue reading
These are songs I love to hear. It’s as simple as that. Of course it helps that Doug Ferony, given his gutsy and joyful exploration of them, also likes them too. His new album, Alright Okay You Win, is the traditional pop vocal album that your ears have been longing for. The arrangements live up … Continue reading
Soliloquies, Unaccompanied Pizzicato Violin Improvisations For the children of war survivors there are conversations with our parents we wished we had and could not. I often wonder about my parents’ vague allusions to atrocities they survived in China during World War II because their trauma was far greater than I can imagine, even now, over … Continue reading
Proof that the human voice is one of the most effective instruments of all, Rose Mallett‘s latest album—Dreams Realized— is a remarkable collection of performances. These are songs you might think you know well, but until you’ve experienced Rose Mallett’s interpretation, you don’t. Think again. Her range, her dynamics, her decision of when and just … Continue reading
parcbench .live 