As he gained more and more respect and critical recognition in the early years of the 21st century, Dave Holland took a leap and expanded his music outward into a big band format. The word "expanded" is key here, for what Holland has mostly done on What Goes Around is send his quintet format through an expansion process, where there are more pieces in the puzzle, yet the same overall conception of sound remains. All but one of the pieces here are rewrites of earlier, previously recorded selections, dating from 1983 all the way to 2000. All of the charts are composed with a sureness and a grounding in tradition that belies the fact that this is Holland's first big band album.

This film from Gary Keys focuses on the amazing saxophonist and arranger, Gerry Mulligan. His warm tone on the baritone and his delightful state persona are on full display, capturing a live show at Eric's in NYC in 1981…

A fabulous title track and a unique place in jazz history. These are just two of the elements which make “Mountain Dance” easily one of the most significant of Dave Grusin's musical offerings. Although originally recorded for JVC in 1979, this was the first Dave Grusin album to be released on his own label, Arista-GRP, in 1980. It not only represented the beginning of the digital age in jazz, but brought forth a piece which could easily be regarded as the Grusin signature tune, the always dazzling and exhilarating “Mountain Dance.” Starting off with the bouncy and infectious charmer, Dave Grusin's own “Rag Bag,” we move on to the mellow “Friends and Strangers,” a real anthem of the smooth side of the GRP sound (concert version to be heard on "GRP All-Stars Live In Japan").

Primitive Passions is an auspicious venture for the flautist. Dave Valentin's playing, like that of longtime colleagues Bill O'connell, Lincoln Gaines, Robbie Ameen and Milton Cardona, seems more sharply focused and energized than ever. The album abounds with the stylistic diversity and genre-defying performances that could only come naturally from an artist with Valentin's unique background. Primitive Passions explores all of the most entrancing corners of Dave Valentin's musical world. This albums sets a new standard for the flutist and his talented associates. It's exhilarating and soothing; provacative and reassuring.

Joined by his usual sidemen of the period (a rhythm section led by pianist Bill O'Connell), flutist Dave Valentin is the main soloist on an appealing if not particularly unique program of Latin-tinged and generally funky jazz. When he stretches out, as on "Firecracker," Valentin shows that he could become one of the best jazz flutists, but thus far he has not quite lived up to his potential. Still, this is, overall, a pleasing effort.

Adam Rudolph - Morphic Resonances (2017) {Meta Digital Download, Bandcamp 16-44.1}
FLAC (tracks) - 16bit/44kHz - Official Digital Download (bandcamp.com) -> 244 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 132 Mb | Cover | 5% repair rar
© 2017 Meta Records | META 021
Classical / Modern Classical / Jazz / Progressive Jazz / Creative Music

Listeners should be advised that Adam Rudolph doesn’t play a beat on this album; it’s a gathering of recent compositions performed by various others, including members of his own New York-based Go: Organic Orchestra. The clear standouts are the first two tracks, in which the Momenta String Quartet gives incisive readings of “Morphic Resonances” and “Syntactic Adventures”—the latter piece dedicated to Rudolph’s mentor Yusef Lateef. Rudolph’s background as a percussionist manifests itself in the use of what he calls “ostinatos of circularity,” layered polyrhythms that create the effect of one part blending almost imperceptibly into another.

This was flutist Dave Valetin's 15th release for GRP and, as with his previous ones, it features impeccable musicianship, subtle funk grooves, some heated Latin rhythms and rather lightweight melodies. Despite some passionate moments, the music always sounds a bit controlled, never exceeding prescribed time limits or emotional boundaries. There are some strong moments of interest on this relatively pleasing CD, particularly a restrained melodic statement by trumpeter Arturo Sandoval on "We'll Be Together Again" and a groovin' version of "With a Little Help from My Friends."

Cannonball Adderley - Cannonball Enroute (1958) {2013 Japan Jazz The Best Series 24-bit Remaster UCCU-9961}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 196 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 86 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 118 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1958, 2013 Mercury / Verve / Universal Japan | UCCU-9961
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Saxophone

Cannonball Enroute is the sixth album by the jazz saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, and his first released on the Mercury label, featuring performances with Nat Adderley, Junior Mance, Sam Jones, and Jimmy Cobb. Cannonball Adderley's enroute to a great jazz legacy here – stepping out in a groove that begins to show some of the soul jazz modes he was forging at the end of the 50s – a great change from the straighter bop styles of his early years! The lineup here is a wonderful early expression of the familiar Adderley groove – with brother Nat Adderley on cornet, Junior Mance on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums – with Mance and Jones bringing an especially nice bottom end to the record – one that gets things moving in a very soulful way! Titles include "Porky", "Hoppin John", "That Funky Train", "I'll Remember April", and "18th Century Ballroom".

The colorful cover artwork complements the colorful music by flutist Dave Valentin.Kalahari has ballads that are beautiful and upbeat tunes heavy on syncopated beats with tons of Latin percussion. Included on the album are Wayne Shorter's "Fall" and Sonny Rollins' "Reel Life," in addition to several tunes penned by Valentin. Dave Grusin and Kevin Eubanks make guest appearances. A fine set.

Jungle Garden is just another real gem by one of the greatest flutist in the Jazz realm, and the best in Latin Jazz. The best two cuts by far are "Very Nice Indeed" with Tania Maria on the piano, and the killer cut Tabasco. Those were the days when a flutist had to prove themselves and Valentin does it.

Michael Gregory Jackson's first recording as a leader has been reissued on CD from the ESP-Disk group, and it's a vivid reminder of how melodically charged his music is from a more subtle perspective. With Jackson primarily on acoustic guitar, the memorable melody lines he stretches to full Zen-like lengths are perfectly clear, yet evoke his individualism with little doubt.

Moondog - Katia Labèque & Triple Sun (2018) {Deutsche Grammophon Digital Download}
FLAC (tracks) - 16bit/44kHz - Official Digital Download (qobuz.com) -> 214 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 97 Mb
Full Artwork (jpg+pdf) -> 11 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2018 KML Recordings / Deutsche Grammophon
Classical / Jazz / Electronic / Piano

Louis Thomas Hardin, called "Moondog," was one of the true geniuses of his time. Prolific and visionary, he linked Bach, jazz, and Amerindian rhythms and wrote mini-symphonies, madrigals, and piano pieces. Moondog's admirers included Igor Stravinsky, Arturo Toscanini, Frank Zappa, Janis Joplin, and more. In tribute, pianist Katia Labèque presents a selection of Moondog pieces rearranged with the group Triple Sun (David Chalmin, Massimo Pupillo and Raphaël Séguinier).