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FAST TRACKS - more reviews in brief
AIMEE ALLEN - Matter Of Time
(AZULINE MUSIC) New York based vocalist and composer Aimee Allen is both a sophisticated lyric writer and songstress with a deep velvet latin tinged voice. This is the fourth release of her short career to date and features in her quartet the excellent Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo. This album is full of excellent lyrics from the leader plus unconventional interpretations from the standards catalogue. There is no showboating at all from the singer, just a very intelligent and straight forward use of her vocal talent. This album makes a highly satisfying listen, has two outstanding tracks in Rogers and Harts "My Romance" plus the composers words to Pat Metheny's "The Road To You". In addition the packaging and liner notes are first class. Reviewed By Jim Burlong 
TERENCE BLANCHARD - Breathless
(BLUE NOTE RECORDS) The last few releases by multi award winning, ex Messenger's trumpet player Blanchard have proven that he has now crossed the great divide into the fusion world. His current band, E- Collective provide a heady mixture of R & B, Soul and Blues influenced sounds on this varied and exciting release. It is an electric based mix of self penned numbers and covers with liberal use of vocalists and even some spoken word. This edgy and dynamic album is sure to sell well following the band's recent world tour. Just like Miles before him Terence Blanchard's trumpet is always ahead of the game whatever the backdrop. Reviewed By Jim Burlong 
JOAN CHAMORRO & ANDREA MOTIS - Feeling Good
(JAZZ TO JAZZ RECORDS) Multi instrumentalist Chamorro and vocalist Motis combine here with groups from quartets to big bands on sixteen popular standards, from Solitude to Moon River. The bands comprise mostly of lesser known European musicians plus American reed man Scott Robinson in both live and studio sessions. The larger groups swing well, Robinson's solo's are out on their own and the vocal style is very much in the mainstream. Reviewed by Jim Burlong |
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BURKHARD REINARTZ- Eine Olive Des Nichts (ECM New Series)
Translated as 'An Olive of Nothingness', this is something of an unusual release that features poems and texts by ThomasTranströmer Adam Jagajewski and Philippe Jacottet, along with a sonic background culled from the ECM catalogue. The texts, read in German by Anja Lais, Bruno Winzen and Burkhard Reinartz have no English translation in the CD booklet and can therefore only conclude that the release is specifically aimed at the German market. I am reliably informed by a German colleague that the words are very dark and austere. What does make this release interesting is how the music is interspersed with the spoken word, drawing music from artists as diverse as Eivind Aarset, Jon Blke Nik Bärtsch, Meridth Monk, Arvo Pärt Morton Feldman, Food, Bobo Stenson and others. If the words are not understood, the inflexion and expression of the voice give an indication of the darkness of the text whilst the soundtrack will give further enlightenment, failing that there is always Google translate.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Translated as 'An Olive of Nothingness', this is something of an unusual release that features poems and texts by ThomasTranströmer Adam Jagajewski and Philippe Jacottet, along with a sonic background culled from the ECM catalogue. The texts, read in German by Anja Lais, Bruno Winzen and Burkhard Reinartz have no English translation in the CD booklet and can therefore only conclude that the release is specifically aimed at the German market. I am reliably informed by a German colleague that the words are very dark and austere. What does make this release interesting is how the music is interspersed with the spoken word, drawing music from artists as diverse as Eivind Aarset, Jon Blke Nik Bärtsch, Meridth Monk, Arvo Pärt Morton Feldman, Food, Bobo Stenson and others. If the words are not understood, the inflexion and expression of the voice give an indication of the darkness of the text whilst the soundtrack will give further enlightenment, failing that there is always Google translate.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
DENNIS ROLLINS VELOCITY TRIO - Symbiosis (DRV RECORDS)
This is an entertaining album of groove and funk based jazz from one of the best trombone players around. It is the second album by the trio under this name and features some great interplay between the leader, Hammond B3 specialist Ross Stanley and ex Ronnie Scott resident drummer Pedro Segundo. Their are eight originals from the band plus covers of Pink Floyds "Money" and Bett Midlers "Rose". Echoes of J. J. Johnson in a modern setting sums this one up.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
This is an entertaining album of groove and funk based jazz from one of the best trombone players around. It is the second album by the trio under this name and features some great interplay between the leader, Hammond B3 specialist Ross Stanley and ex Ronnie Scott resident drummer Pedro Segundo. Their are eight originals from the band plus covers of Pink Floyds "Money" and Bett Midlers "Rose". Echoes of J. J. Johnson in a modern setting sums this one up.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
