Stanley Clarke: 1,2, To The Bass (2003)

Philadelphia-born bassist Stanley Clarke is a first-generation fusionist who burst on the scene with Return to Forever in the '70s. From then to now, he recorded a number of critically-acclaimed recordings that encompassed jazz, rock, r&b, and funk with George Duke, Al DiMeola, and Lenny White. On this CD, Clarke is joined by Duke, guitarist Joe Satriani, saxophonist Everette Harp, flautist Hubert Laws, violinist Dr. L Subramaniam, and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. The title track features the hip-hop contributions of Q-Tip, while "Just Cruzin'" is Clarke's straight-ahead, piccolo bass shout to Wes Montgomery. "I Shall Not Be Moved" is a spiritual piece co-produced by Quincy Jones, featuring Oprah Winfrey reciting lines from a Maya Angelou poem. But "About the Bass" is Clarke's eight-minute long tour-de-force where he reminds everybody, in no uncertain terms, that he's still king of the lower frequencies. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Tracklist:
1. 1, 2, To the Bass (featuring Q-Tip) 5:57  
2. Simply Said 4:34  
3. Where Is The Love (featuring Glenn Lewis & Amel Larrieux) 4:06
4. Anna (She Loves The Good Life) 5:01
5. Los Caballos (The Horses) 4:41 
6. Just Cruizin' 4:26 
7. 'Bout the Bass 7:32 
8. Hair 5:14
9. Touch 6:03  
10. Todos Los Ninos (All the Children) 4:57 
11. I Shall Not Be Moved 6:37 
12. Shanti, Peace, Paz 5:53
Personnel:
Stanley Clarke – Electric Bass, Acoustic Bass, Tenor Bass, Piano, Vocals
Q-Tip - Spoken Word, Co-producer (track #1)
John "J.R." Robinson - Drums
Doug Webb - Saxophone
Michael Hart Thompson - Guitar
Amel Larrieux - Vocals
Reggie C. Young - Trombone
Myron McKinley - Keyboards
Oprah Winfrey - Spoken Word
Gerry "The Gov" Brown - Drums
Glenn Lewis - Vocals
Doctor L. Subramaniam - Violin
James Earl - Bass
Vinnie Colaiuta - Drums
Reggie Hamilton - Bass
Everette Harp - Saxophone, Sax (Soprano), Sax (Alto)
Michael Hunter - Trumpet
Paul Jackson, Jr. - Guitar
Bob Leatherbarrow - Vibraphone
Armand Sabal-Lecco - Bass
Joe Satriani - Guitar
George Duke - Keyboards, Wurlitzer
Hubert Laws - Flute
Dre and Vidal – Co-producer (track #3)
Quincy Jones – Co-producer (track #11)
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U-Nam & Friends: Weekend In L.A: A Tribute To George Benson (2012)

"The man known as U-Nam, is destined to become one of the most controversial musicians.  In the few recordings that I have heard, there is a conviction towards making himself felt by the general public, and the critics alike.  It's great to have a new voice on the guitar scene; one that is loaded with energy and excitement."---Ten time Grammy Award recipient, NAE Jazz Master and guitar legend---George Benson

Tracklist:

01. Weekend in L.A (feat. Andreas Oberg & Ronnie Foster) (8:16)
02. Give Me the Night (feat. Tim "Tio" Owens) (5:42)
03. Shiver (feat. Paul Jackson Jr & Tim "Tio" Owens) (6:28)
04. Love X Love (5:50)
05. Nature Boy (feat. Stokley Williams) (6:09)
06. This Masquerade (feat. Marcus Miller, Phil Perry, Tim "Tio" Owens, Jeff Lacey & George Duke) (11:34)
07. Hip Skip (5:14)
08. I Just Wanna Hang Around You (feat. Tim "Tio" Owens) (5:37)
09. Turn Your Love Around (4:34)
10. Before You Go / Breezin' (feat. Patrice Rushen) (8:14)
11. On Broadway (feat. Tim "Tio" Owens & Jeff Lacey) (9:20)
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Brian Bromberg: Compared to That (2012)

Brian Bromberg is one of the top five bassists worldwide. The GRAMMY nominated bass player grew up in a world of jazz. He already performed in early years with area jazz bands and symphonies. Although some of his twenty solo albums are settled in the smooth jazz realm, his musical love was always devoted to straight ahead jazz. "I still love playing with straight-ahead jazz artists and I want to do more acoustic, mainstream jazz albums myself.”

Brian's new album Compared To That is such a mainstream jazz album, which also respects the desire for smooth jazz elements. The album was recorded live in between two days. Recording artists were beside Brian Alex Acuna, Gannin Arnold, Charlie Bisharat, Randy Brecker, Vinnie Colaiuta, George Duke, Bela Fleck, Mitch Forman, Larry Goldings, Jeff Lorber, Gary Meek and Tom Zink.

Fast paced, horn driven, bass loaded, that is the introducing Compared To That. Bromberg excels on Upright bass with impressive dexterity. Jeff Lorber brings with his signature piano virtuosity the piece to breathtaking highs.

With Rory Lowery, Private Eye Brian leans more to straight ahead jazz with a big dose of velocity. Swiftness is always a part of artistry and has its effect on the audience. If Ray Brown Was A Cowboy? is dedicated to the late Ray Brown, an outstanding bassist and recipient of innumerable awards. Brian performed this piece on acoustic bass at the Inn at Reading as part of the Berks Jazz Fest.

On Hayride Bromberg meets banjo great Bela Fleck and violin legend Charlie Bisharat. With all three the tune catches fire and the string arrangement delivers a tight emotional atmosphere. A Little New Old School presents the complete palette of sexy horns including Randy Brecker on trumpet and Gary Meek on tenor sax powered by a mighty horn section of five further prolific brass players. Jeff Lorber adds some dirty gritty atonal tones on keys, while Brian plays various infectious grooves on slap bass with greetings to Victor Wooten and Stanley Clarke.

Forgiveness is a well-respected social and religious behavior. Bromberg elected this great word for a melodic and melancholic acoustic piece with a high emotional aspect. Chicago's Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? gets a new swing with a excellent balance of pop and jazz. I'm Just Sayin' loves it straight and jazzy featuring Randy Brecker on muted trumpet. The tune has enough length to allow all musicians to expand on various soli.

The jazz fusion piece Eclipse showcases George Duke on piano and Brecker on flugelhorn. Bromberg describes the song as the darkest tune spiritually and stylistically as a New York jazz sound. Rick James' R&B song Give It To Me Baby finds a jazzy finish by mastermind Bromberg. Finally to mention is Gannin Arnold's superb guitar performance on those part of the album, which aren't played by Brian on piccolo bass.

With Compared to That Bromberg succeeds in recording an evenhanded mixture of pop and jazz, that will actually excite jazz purists.

Tracklist:

01. Compared To That [8:26]
02. Rory Lowery, Private Eye [9:54]
03. If Ray Brown Was A Cowboy? [6:36]
04. Hayride [7:30]
05. A Little New Old School [7:19]
06. Forgiveness [5:19]
07. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? [4:52]
08. I'm Just Sayin' [7:42]
09. The Eclipse [8:59]
10. Give It To Me Baby [4:19]

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[By - Request] The E Family: Now And Forever (2011)

On paper it looks promising: a family of venerable and versatile artists, coming together to celebrate their shared heritage and musical chops. However, The E Family — father Pete Escovedo along with his children, siblings Juan Escovedo, Peter Michael Escovedo, and the family’s most mainstream-famous member, Sheila E — seldom live up to their collective potential on Now and Forever (Fontana/Universal), eschewing what could have been a masterclass of dynamic musicianship to instead favor a mostly homogenous mix of R&B and Latin jazz.
The album's very last track, "Live Percussion Jam," is also its strongest, most-satisfying moment. Joyful and irresistibly infectious, it offers the finest indication of what this project could have achieved overall. 

Of particular concern is the conspicuous absence of Sheila E on lead vocals. Granted her strong suit is playing the drums, but the lady is by no means a slouch when it comes to singing — crank up “Love Bizarre” and “The Glamorous Life” for rump-shaking evidence — and that aspect of her artistry could have added some much-needed spice and sexiness here.

Instead those attributes come courtesy of Joss Stone, who injects an extra shot of oomph into “The Other Half of Me” to make this otherwise average R&B groove a soulful success and the album's only other highlight.

Additional guests, including Earth, Wind & Fire, Gloria Estefan, and Raphael Saadiq, don't contribute anything nearly as impressive or convincing. It's just as well, as the Escovedo clan didn't exactly give them much to work with anyway. Consider this one a missed opportunity.

Tracklist:1. I Take It Back (Feat. Wes Quave & Gloria Estefan)
2. I LIke It (Feat. Peter Michael Escovedo III & Sheila E)
3. Nothing Without You (Feat. Sheila E)
4. The Other Half Of Me (Feat. Joss Stone, with Raphael Saadiq & George Duke)
5. Do What It Do (Feat. Dominic Escovedo)
6. Peace and Joy (Feat. Philip Bailey, with Verdine White & Ralph Johnson)
7. Praise His Name (Feat. Peter Michael Escovedo III)
8. Nina (Feat. Pete Escovedo)
9. All Around (Feat. Israel Houghton)
10. It's Gonna Make You Dance (Feat. Pete Escovedo)
11. The J (Feat. Juan Escovedo)
12. Get Out of My Way (Feat. Damon Castillo)
13. Live Percussion Jam (Feat. Peter Michael Escovedo III & Sheila E)
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Rayford Griffin: Rebirth Of The Cool (2003)

If it's true what they say about nothing being more dangerous than an idea whose time has come, then drummer extraordinaire Rayford Griffin's long-awaited first CD as a leader is destined to have a ruthless impact.

In his journey, Rayford has lent his drumming magic to a diverse resume of world class artists ranging from Michael Jackson, Stanley Clarke, George Duke and Jean-Luc Ponty to Bette Midler, Anita Baker and Patrice Rushen. Now Rayford emerges from the drum riser to equally showcase his writing, arranging, drumming and his singing gifts on his phenomenal CD Debut "Rebirth Of The Cool".

Much of the album was conceived and recorded in Rayford's Razoredge studio, allowing him plenty of relaxed time to develop the material along the way. "I didn't want to beat people over the head with an album of drum solos, odd meters and fast playing," Rayford shares. "Although I do flex some of those muscles, I wanted to be as musical as possible with something for everybody and also show how drums could be a part of that without being offensive."

That's quite a statement coming from a drummer whose concert solos have brought fellow players and lay people alike to their feet with awe, appreciation and an adrenaline rush. It was the drum solos of Art Blakey and Max Roach on albums by his late, lamented uncle, trumpeter Clifford Brown, that lured him to the drums. Griffin is a technical master who brings to his towering arsenal of drums and percussion toys an engrained knack for groove and a graceful style that is always complementary to anyone with whom he plays. "Rebirth Of The Cool" completes this portrait of the artist as so much more.

The album is a decidedly personal and contemporary take on Rayford's appreciation of tradition. The heart of the music is rooted in a tangy fusion of raw funk and relentlessly swingin' jazz ("Lids and Squares" and "Kings"), but there are also songs of melodic beauty and radio-friendly panache ("Everytime I See U" and "In Your Eyes"). There are blazin' jazz-rock fusion workouts ("Coffee" and "Folake'") that will have aspiring drummers getting out there notepads. There is also a dynamic straight-ahead number ("Jazzi Ray") that recalls the aural signature of big band great, Neil Hefti. ~ Amazon.com

Tracklist:
1. Rebirth Of The Cool [05:52]
2. Lids And Squares [05:57]
3. All That [05:26]
4. Everytime I See U [06:56]
5. In Your Eyes [08:38]
6. Jazzi Ray ( Rayford's Song) [07:41]
7. Folake [05:22]
8. Kings [06:07]
9. Coffee [06:47]
Personnel:
Rayford Griffin (vocals, drums);
Branford Marsalis, Gerald Albright, Everette Harp, Brandon Fields (tenor saxophone);
Michael "Patches" Stewart, Johnny Britt, Walt Fowler (trumpet);
Nick Smith (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards);
Deron Johnson (keyboards);
George Duke (Moog synthesizer);
Dwight Sills, Jamie Glaser, Reggie Griffin (guitar);
Stanley Clarke, Sekou Bunch, Mel Brown, Larry Kimpel (bass);
Munyungo Jackson (percussion)
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Lenny White: Renderers of Spirit (1996)

Drummer Lenny White doesn't explore much new territory on Renderers Of Spirit, which contains nothing that will make you forget that he played drums on the legendary Bitches Brew sessions for Miles Davis, or that, along with Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea and Al DiMeola, he helped define 1970s jazz-fusion as Return to Forever.

But even though the compositions here survey what amounts to the by-now familiar R&B meets jazz domain, White and company make the journey enough of a comfortably swinging stroll to make it worth the trip. White's sound and plump backbeat on drums in "Ho-Cake" sound straight outta hip-hop (that is, before they dissolve in a limpid pool of what's now called "smooth jazz"), and bassist Victor Bailey bounces off the walls in his own title, "Pick Pocket."

Renderers includes contributions from fellow Miles alumni Foley and Bennie Maupin, Stanley Clarke, George Duke, and Michael Brecker (In fact, "Countdown 2000" would not sound out of place on Davis' album Tutu). It closes with a challenging jazz-funk mind-meld of Jackie McLean's "Dr. Jackyle" wih Sly Stone's "Africa Talks To You," and also includes covers (with vocals) of Burt Bacharach's "Walk On By" (which nominally works) and of Christopher Cross' "Sailing" (which absolutely does not).

Tracklist:

01 - Whew! What A Dream
02 - Ho-Cake
03 - Walk On By
04 - Pick Pocket
05 - Savant
06 - Sailing
07 - The Abyss
08 - SwingTime
09 - Beggin'
10 - Countdown: 2000
11 - Dr. Jackle/Africa Talks To You

Personnel:

Geri Allen - Piano
Victor Bailey - Bass, Arranger
Don Blackman - Organ, Synthesizer, Keyboards, Fender Rhodes
Michael Brecker - Saxophone
Randy Brecker - Trumpet
Jerry Brooks - Bass
Dean Brown - Guitar
Stanley Clarke - Tenor, Bass Solo
Jon Dryden - Synthesizer, Arranger
George Duke - Moog Synthesizer
Vince Evans - Synthesizer, Piano, Arranger, Keyboards, Fender Rhodes
Foley - Lead Bass
Javon Jackson - Sax (Tenor)
Dechown Jenkens - Guitar
Mark Johnson - Guitar, Vocals
Darryl Jones - Bass
Mark Ledford - Guitar, Trumpet, Arranger, Vocals
Kim Lesley - Vocals (bckgr)
Pete Levin - Synthesizer, Arranger, Keyboards, Programming, Orchestration
Bennie Maupin - Clarinet (Bass), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)
Jean McClain - Vocals (bckgr)
Audrey Northington - Vocals
Nicki Richards - Arranger, Vocals
Patrice Rushen - Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards
Michael "Patches" Stewart - Trumpet
Danny Walsh - Saxophone
Lenny White - Organ, Arranger, Cymbals, Drums, Keyboards, Programming, Producer
Bernard Wright - Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards, Moog Synthesizer
Pookie Zari - Synthesizer

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