[By Request] Dreaming in Colour: The Dream Merchant (2012)

With a hip cutting edge vibe that may well blow you away, contemporary, instrumental jazz group Dreaming In Colour has just released its debut CD, ‘The Dream Merchant’. Constructed around the band’s core members of Kevin Ellis, Chris Noonan and Joe Calandrino, the line-up has often, over the years, been complemented by some of the genre’s top artists and this is particularly so with ‘The Dream Merchant’ for which Ellis, Noonan and Calandrino are joined by Jeff Lorber, Eric Marienthal and Nelson Rangell.

In fact Lorber features on all ten tracks with Marienthal contributing to seven of them. He is in stupendously high-octane form for the fusion filled ‘Crosswinds’ and later the free flowing, sax driven ‘Waiting In Texas’ serves as another opportunity for his playing to really sizzle. The interplay between Calandrino on guitar and Lorber on keys is a focal point of the retro tinged ‘Chromatic’ while ‘Keepsakes’ proves to be a jazzy yet velvety number where the combined talents of Ellis, Noonan, Calandrino, Lorber and Marienthal are found to be at their impeccable best.

‘Davy’s Byrne’ is another lively foot stomper where the lead is generously shared amongst the combined gathering. Notable here is Lorber on keys and he again cuts sensationally loose on ‘Percolator’ which has a groove reminiscent of that often generated by his own band The Jeff Lorber Fusion.

Calandrino takes center stage for the ultra catchy ‘No More Goodbyes’ and although the commercially appealing ‘Twilight Drive’ is the product of a three-way collaboration between Lorber, Kevin Ellis on bass and Marienthal on alto, when the tune is reprised as a sub two-minute closer, Marienthal’s switch to soprano takes away none of the magic.

Despite ‘The Dream Merchant’ being a CD where the tempo remains relatively high throughout, ‘Yearbook’ provides a delicious contrast that adds to the richness of the entire collection. Also relaxed in style, and arguably the best track on the album, is the title song where Smooth Jazz Therapy favorite Nelson Rangell is wonderful on soprano sax.

It is one reason of many why you should make ‘The Dream Merchant’ part of your listening pleasure.

Tracklist:

01. Chromatic [04:53]
02. Yearbook [05:22]
03. Twilight Drive [05:31]
04. The Dream Merchant [05:14]
05. Crosswinds [05:05]
06. Keepsakes [04:49]
07. Percolator [05:05]
08. Waiting In Texas [05:07]
09. Davy's Byrne [04:32]
10. No More Goodbyes [04:00]
11. Twilight Drive (Soprano Reprise) [01:51]

Personnel:

Piano/Keyboards - Jeff Lorber and Tim Pascoal
Saxes - Nelson Rangell and Eric Marienthal
Guitars - Joe Calandrino
Bass - Kevin Ellis
Drums - Chris Noonan

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Chuck Loeb: Between 2 Worlds (2009)

Creatively, Chuck Loeb has had his ups and downs over the years. Some of his albums have been disappointing, but other Loeb releases have been a lot more memorable. The self-produced Between 2 Worlds, it turns out, is among the veteran guitarist's more consistent efforts -- not to mention one of his more organic. Excessive production has been a problem for Loeb at times; having a great deal of production and programming is fine for electronica, new age, and hip-hop, but it can become quite an albatross in a medium such as improvisation-driven as jazz. Thankfully, Loeb doesn't overproduce on Between 2 Worlds, and his lyrical guitar playing has plenty of room to breathe this time. In terms of production, less is undeniably more on an album that emphasizes pop-jazz but also contains some straight-ahead post-bop. Between 2 Worlds, which was recorded in New York City and Berlin, Germany, tends to be commercial, although it is tastefully commercial. "360" and "Early Turns to Late," for example, fall into the easy listening category, but they have some substance and avoid becoming outright "elevator muzak"; the same goes for Brazilian-flavored items such as "Hiram," the title track, and Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Sу Tinha de Ser Com Vocк" (which features singer Carmen Cuesta). Meanwhile, "Let's Play" and "The Great Hall" (as in Jim Hall) are straight-ahead post-bop, and this 65-minute CD moves into funky soul-jazz territory on "Mittens" and the boogaloo-ish "Let's Go" (both of which feature saxophonist Eric Marienthal, formerly of Chick Corea's Elektric Band). Between 2 Worlds isn't a remarkable album, but it is definitely a good, satisfying album -- and the fact that Loeb's guitar playing isn't suffocated by an unnecessary amount of production is obviously a plus. ~ Alex Henderson

Personnel: Chuck Loeb (guitar); Lizzy Loeb, Carmen Cuesta (vocals); Eric Marienthal (flute, saxophone); Till Bronner, Nathan Eklund (trumpet); Dieter Ilg, Gerald Veasley, Will Lee (bass guitar); Dave Weckl, Wolfgang Haffner (drums); David Charles, Bashiri Johnson (percussion); Pat Bergeson, Brian Culbertson.

Tracklist:
01. Let's Go feat. [Brian Culbertson & Eric Marienthal] (6:48)
02. Hiram [feat. Will Lee] (5:46)
03. Mittens [feat. Till Bronner & Eric Marienthal] (6:43)
04. Between 2 Worlds (5:37)
05. Oh No You Didn't [feat. Lizzy Loeb] (4:22)
06. Let's Play (5:19)
07. So Tinha De Que Ser Com Voce [feat. Carmen Cuesta] (4:21)
08. The Great Hall (6:56)
09. Mean Old Man (7:10)
10. 360 (5:40)
11. Early Turns To Late [feat. Pat Bergeson] (6:14)
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MSM Schmidt: Destination (2009)

The composer and keyboarder MSM Schmidt (Germany) wins for his newest recording „Destination“ international renowned fusion-jazz musicians like: Mike Mainieri (Steps Ahead, Frank Zappa) on vibes, on drums Joel Rosenblatt (Bill Evans,Spyro Gyra), Simon Phillips (Toto, Mike Oldfield) und Wolfgang Haffner (Passport, Till Brönner), on bass Jimmy Haslip (Yellojackets, Bruce Hornsby), Ric Fierabracci (Chick Corea, Men at Work) Dave Carpenter (Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea), who died in 2008, on saxes Steve Tavaglione (George Benson), Tom Scott (Paul McCartney, Quincy Jones) and Brandon Fields (George Benson, Tower Of Power), on piano Mitchel Forman (Gary Burton, Pat Metheny), on guitar Dean Brown (Billy Cobham, David Sanborn), Alex Machacek (Planet X) and Chuck Loeb (Steps Ahead, Metro) and on trumpet Walter Fowler (Frank Zappa). All the players are outstanding and the sound is awesome as well! The playing throughout is of course stunning. The compositions are varied in style - sometimes jazzy, heavy, complex, and funky - but always entertaining.
It actually sounds like they were really enjoying themselves while making such a wonderful album.

Tracklist:

01 – New East «MSM Schmidt – Dean Brown» (06:38)
02 – Mr. Weasel «Tom Scott – Dean Brown» (05:59)
03 – Strangest Feelings «Brandon Fields» (05:24)
04 – Running Home «Alex Machacek» (06:15)
05 – Piano Interlud «Mitchel Forman» (01:35)
06 – 7 Grooves 2 Heaven «Dean Brown» (06:40)
07 – Hey Jimmy «Jimmy Haslip» (06:44)
08 – Final Chapter «Alex Machacekм» (06:43)
09 – Miami Revisited «C. Loeb – E. Marienthal» (05:59)
10 – Mongolian BBQ «C. Loeb – E. Marienthal» (06:14)
11 – Song For An Unknown Friend «Dave Carpenter» (07:13)
12 – D.C. «Dave Carpenter» (01:39)
13 – There Are No Rules «E. Marienthal – B. Fields» (09:32)

Personnel: Michael Guenter Schmidt (Keyboards, synths, and loops); Simon Phillips, Joel Rosenblatt & Wolfgang Haffner (Drums); Jimmy Haslip, Ric Fierabracci & Dave Carpenter (Bass); Tom Scott, Brandon Fields, Eric Marienthal (Sax); Steve Tavaglione (EWI & sax); Kai Thomsen, Scott Kinsey & Mitchel Forman (Keys); Walt Fowler (Trumpet); Mike Mainieri (Vibes); Dean Brown, Chuck Loeb, Alex Machacek & Mike Miller (Guitar)

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Eric Marienthal: It's Love (2012)

Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is among contemporary jazz's busiest talents. On the day that It's Love was released, Marienthal also played a starring role on the Jeff Lorber Fusion entry Galaxy. The two albums reflect Marienthal's varied talents, as both a creative improviser and a lover of groove-oriented popular music. It's Love was produced by guitarist Chuck Loeb, who also appears throughout the set. Also in this studio band are Yellowjackets' keyboardist Russell Ferrante, drummer Gary Novak, and bassist Tim Lefebvre. Marienthal's love of pop-soul is displayed on the album's opening number, a cover of Brenda Russell's iconic "Get Here." Introduced by Ferrante's piano and spare percussion and guitar, Marienthal's alto moves right into the melody and sticks close while digging deep into his horn's grain for emotion. When the key change happens, he syncopates the lyric flow and allows the melody to guide him. While this track has been covered by many singers, pulling it off in a contemporary jazz setting isn't easy. The temptation to show off one's chops at the expense of the tune is everywhere; Marienthal's discipline keeps him honest and he lets its original intent flow right through to the listener. He switches gears on a 21st century reading of Irving Mills' "In a Sentimental Mood," which doesn't resemble any instrumental version out there -- Loeb's solo guitar intro evokes Wes Montgomery before Ferrante and Marienthal enter and return what has long been a vehicle for jazz improvisation back into a lyric song. The title track is a haunting ballad co-written by Marienthal and Loeb, while the latter's "Two in One" is a midtempo groover with Marienthal soloing on soprano. "Babycakes" and "St. Moritz" were co-composed by the saxophonist with Lorber. The former evokes the Crusaders circa 1969 and 1970 as Marienthal uses Wilton Felder's soulful phrasing in a gospelized groove while Loeb plays tasty fills а la Larry Carlton. Lorber contributes keyboards and additional guitar, too. On "St. Moritz," Till Bronner's trumpet adds depth, density, and an added lyricism to the breezy Caribbean atmosphere until the midway point, where it gets nocturnal and funky. It's Love is a (mostly) laid-back offering, yet it's solid: beautifully arranged and executed, its silky production and emotive undertones, make it a perfect Valentine's Day soundtrack to boot. ~ Thom Jurek

Tracklist:
01. Get Here
02. In A Sentimental Mood
03. Can't Buy Me Love
04. It's Love
05. Two In One
06. Costa Del Soul
07. Babycakes
08. Café Royale
09. St. Moritz
10. When I Found You
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Jeff Lorber Fusion: Galaxy (2012)

It was in 2010, with the CD ‘Now Is The Time’, that Jeff Lorber revisited the sound that he had helped to pioneer. This return to jazz fusion was heralded with critical acclaim and now, for part two, he is back with ‘Galaxy’. Full of the same funk driven energy that was a feature of ‘Now Is The Time’, and with the likes of Eric Marienthal, Jimmy Haslip and Lenny Castro all involved, ‘Galaxy’ is a wonderful throwback to the halcyon days of jazz fusion. Not only that, this 21st century version of the Jeff Lorber Fusion includes contributions from trumpeter Randy Brecker, guitarists Paul Jackson Jr. and Larry Koonse plus drummers Vinnie Colaiuta and Dave Weckl. With eleven original compositions, including four tracks from the Jeff Lorber Fusion’s early catalogue, ‘Galaxy’ really is something to savor.

Lorber make an early statement of his funky intent with the zesty ‘Live Wire’ which not only provides a fine showcase for the percussive power of Vinnie Colaiuta but also runs to an intoxicating seven minutes in length. That said, there is magic in every second of it and much the same can be said of the intense title cut which is a perfect example of the tight, high octane performances that can be found throughout.

In similar vein is the all consuming ‘Rapids’ and, although the swaggering ‘Big Brother’ serves to recapture some of the buzz that one associates with the best examples of early contemporary jazz, ‘The Underground’ proves to be an invigorating extravaganza of the highest order.

The Latin influenced ‘The Samba’ first appeared on the 1987 album ‘Soft Space’ while ‘City’ is a reworking of the track that originally appeared on the JLF 1980 long player ‘Wizard Island’. When Lorber returns to this same collection for the velvety title tune he contrives to make it sound brand new and elsewhere Lorber uses the jazzy ‘Horace’ to a tip a hat to the legendary Horace Silver.

When, occasionally, Lorber notches down the tempo, the result is as pleasing as it is surprising and this is particularly so with the edgily mellifluous ‘Singaraja’ which is right up there with the album’s best. Yet, in the final analysis, ‘Galaxy’ is all about the funk and with ‘Monserrat’ Lorber delivers a number that, courtesy of a tasty brass infusion, sizzles from beginning to end.

‘Galaxy’ is due for release January 31, 2012, on Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group and looks set to cement Lorber’s legendary status within the genre of contemporary jazz.

Tracklist:

1. Live Wire
2. Big Brother
3. Montserrat
4. Singaraja
5. Galaxy
6. City
7. Horace
8. The Samba
9. Rapids
10. Wizard Island
11. The Underground

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