Danny Gottlieb: Whirlwind (1989)

Danny Gottlieb is one of the most popular drummers in jazz and contemporary music. While best known as the drummer in the original Pat Metheny Group, Danny, during the past 25 years, has performed and recorded with some of the world’s greatest musicians.

As a group member, he has worked with the following ensembles: Jeff Berlin Trio; Gary Burton Quartet; Stan Getz Quintet; Pat Metheny Group; Gil Evans Orchestra; Bobby McFerrin Trio; Eddie Gomez Group; Michael Franks Band; John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra; Al DiMeola Project; Mike Stern Trio; Manhattan Jazz Quintet; Manhattan Jazz Orchestra: GRP Big Band; Vanguard Jazz Orchestra; Joe Beck Trio; Lew Soloff Food Group; George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band; WDR Big Band; NDR Big Band; Tip Toe Jazz Orchestra; Randy Brecker Quartet; Neenah Freelon Group; Blues Brothers Band; Booker T and the MG’s; Jazz is Dead; Pete Levin Trio; Ali Ryerson-Joe Beck Group; Joanne Brackeen Quartet; Bobby Rydell; Joe Farrell Quintet; Andy Laverne Quintet; Jacqui Naylor Band; Fritz Renold Friends; Haru Trio; Knut Varnes Group; Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra; Loren Schoenberg Big band; Airto and Flora Purim Group; Chuck Owen Jazz Surge; Jack Wilkins Group, and many more…
Danny has also performed or recorded with: Sting; David Byrne; Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea; Jim Hall; Miroslav Vitous; Wayne Shorter; Larry Coryell; Kenny Barron; Rufus Reid; Branford Marsalis; Hiram Bullock; Bill Evans; Nana Vasconcellos; Trilok Gurtu; Dino Saluzzi; Mark Murphy; Chris Conner; Mike Abene; Gerry Mulligan; Clark Terry; Ernie Wilkins; Mike Wolff; Badal Roy; Hubert Laws; Mike Richmond; Jeff Richman; Russell Ferrante; Jimmy Haslip, and many more…
Danny appears on over 300 cd’s to date, including 5 Grammy winners. As a leader, Danny has 5 cd’s under his own name, 9 as co-leader of Elements, with Mark Egan; 2 as co-leader with Pete Levin, and 3 as co-leader of the Contempo trio, with Mark Soskin and Chip Jackson.

Tracklist:

1. Tropic Heat 
2. Reef Warriors 
3. Twilight Drive 
4. Just Passing By 
5. Return To Kali Au 
6. Percussion Of The Spirit 
7. Open Road 
8. Nevermore 
9. Hold On! 
10. Whirlwind 
11. Percussion Of The Spirit (Part 2)

Personnel:

drums : Danny Gottlieb 
percussion : Cafe, Nana Vasconcelos, Trilok Gurtu 
bass : Mark Egan, Chip Jackson 
keyboards : Doug Hall, Gregory Smith, Steve Sauber, Mitchel Forman 
guitars : John Abercrombie, John Herington, Chuck Loeb 
saxophone : Bill Evans, Lenny Pickett 
trumpet : Lew Soloff

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Danny Gottlieb: Aquamarine (1987)

For a while there in the late 1980s there was a short-lived fusion comeback. The Chick Corea Electrik Band was having some success. The new Mahavishnu band was attracting attention. Musicians such as saxophonist Bill Evans, drummer Dennis Chambers, keyboardist Clifford Carter, bassist Mark Egan and others began to develop a following. Guitarist Allan Holdsworth was making a mark. Soon, however, the record companies clamped down on any creativity coming from this branch of jazz in favor of the now burgeoning "smooth jazz" movement. (Pardon me; I need a moment to gag.) Recording contracts and promotional funds evaporated faster than a bubble on a gas burner.

Danny Gottlieb was among those shortchanged by this corporate attitude. Gottlieb had been part of the very popular Pat Metheny Group and later the reformed Mahavishnu. Along with his musical partner, the wonderful bassist Mark Egan, he had formed the very impressive band Elements. Unfortunately, Aquamarine became one of his few bites of the apple. It is nonetheless a delicious bite.

An infectious semi-Caribbean percussive riff opens the title cut, which is a pleasing ballad powered by the sailing guitar synthesizer of John Abercrombie, Doug Hall's keyboards and Gottlieb's backbeat. Its beautiful melody even makes "Aquamarine" a potential smooth jazz vehicle. (Pardon me; I need another moment to gag.) Luckily, thanks to the players' advanced improvising, that terrible fate does not befall this memorable melody, and in time the ingratiating opening riff returns to keep everything afloat. This isn't deep-sea diving. But a little scuba in the coral reef can make for an exciting outing. The rest of the album ain't chum either.

Tracklist:
1. Aquamarine 
2. Monterey 
3. The Aviary 
4. Alaska 
5. Waterfall 
6. Being 
7. Duet 
8. Upon A Time. 
9. Peace Of Mind 

Personnel: Danny Gottlieb (drums), Doug Hall (keyboards, rhythm guitar), John Abercrombie (guitar synthesizer), Cafe (percussion), John McLaughlin, Steve Khan, Joe Satriani, Jeff Mironov (guitars), Mark Egan (bass), Mitchel Forman (keyboards), Bill Evans (sax), Dave Samuels (vibraphone)

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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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MSM Schmidt: Arrivals (2003)

"If you don't like it, then tell us what you'd like to have changed" (an annoying remark of one of my fellow musicians sometime during the 80s).

At that time, I played drums in a band and had no clue of compositions. I was a frustrated, self-taught drummer, never had any lessons, simply playing along in two bands without knowing, how to influence the music I was supposed to be playing.

Helge Mruck was playing keyboards in one of these bands, and sure enough it was Helge, with whom I went about buying my first keyboard, the Roland D50 and who taught me the first steps. With his help, I started to learn an instrument that enabled me to express my musical ideas. During the long years of our friendship, we created an innumerable numbers of songs ... The numbers of keyboards grew, computers and samples were added. Together (with the help of the legendary Atari ST) we composed many songs and founded our own band: Walkin' on Ice. With this band, we also recorded a CD: "Finally". Our music at that time was already very fusion-oriented . I still played drums in our band, but slowly but surely composing became my passion. When Helge moved to England, the band fell apart.

Composing, free from commercial purposes and constraints, is my hobby since. But I always felt that the songs I composed were too fast and too furious for anybody to listen to, not to mention musicians playing them. However, when playing them to friends, their reactions were surprisingly positive. (Which shows: My friends are all very polite.) - - MSM Schmidt.

Tracklist:
01. Orca   
02. Dunes   
03. Afrique   
04. White Light   
05. Lullaby   
06. One 4 Ron   
07. Zebra   
08. Serious   
09. New Hope   
10. Distorted Dreams   
11. Bouquet   
12. MC   
13. Dunes Reprise
Personnel:
Vinnie Colaiuta - Drums
Brandon Fields - Alto & Soprano Sax
Mitchel Forman - Piano & Rhodes
Wolfgang Haffner - Drums
Scott Kinsey - Synths & Piano
Abe Laboriel - Bass
Will Lee - Bass
Steve Tavaglione - Tenor & Soprano Sax & Flute
Ingo Bittkau - Piano
Lutz Büchner - Tenor Sax
Uli Gadau - Acoustic Bass
Holger Larisch - Guitar
Helge Mruck - Strings
Timm Pyttlik - Trumpet
Bernd Schlott - Clarinet
Kai Thomsen - Synths & Piano
MSM Schmidt - Synths, Programming, Drums
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Chuck Loeb: Presence (2007)

Though he occasionally branches out into other styles, Chuck Loeb is at heart, a pop-oriented smooth jazz guitarist. Presence finds Loeb smack in the middle of his comfort zone. "Llevame" adds some Latin percussion and murmured female vocals, "The Western Sky" incorporates a vaguely new age synth wash, and "The Music Outside" flirts a bit with quiet storm R&B, but at heart, this is utterly straightforward smooth jazz with Loeb's laid-back, tasty soloing front and center. Even the pair of pop covers, Steely Dan's "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" and James Taylor's "Shed a Little Light," are transformed into showcases for Loeb's inimitable style. Unapologetically mellow and buffed to a high-sheen gloss, Presence is smooth jazz for folks who think they just don't make smooth jazz records like this anymore.

Tracklist:
1 Good to Go - Loeb, Snitzer 5:17
2 Rikki Don't Lose That Number - Becker, Fagen 5:37
3 Window of the Soul - Loeb 4:07
4 Starting Over - King, Loeb 6:14
5 Llevame - Cuesta, Loeb 4:29
6 Presence - Loeb 5:45
7 The Music Outside - Dion, Loeb 6:08
8 The Western Sky - Loeb 5:04
9 Hangin' with You - Loeb 4:26
10 Mr. Martino - Loeb 4:54
11 Shed a Little Light - Taylor 5:24

Personnel: Chuck Loeb: guitars, keyboards, fender and synth bass, drum and percussion programming; Lizzy Loeb: flute; Wolfgang Haffner: drums; Nathan Ecklund: trumpet and trombone; Dave Mann: saxophone, flutes and horn arrangement; Ron "Buttercup" Jenkins: bass guitar; Will Lee: bass; Matt King: piano; Brian Killeen: bass; Josh Dion: drums and percussion; Carmen Cuesta: vocals; Carl Carter: bass; Mike Ricchiuti: piano and Rhodes; Till Bronner: trumpet and flugelhorn; Christian Diener: acoustic bass; Mitchel Forman: strings and string arrangement; Andy Snitzer: alto ax; Tom Schumann: piano; Brian Dunne: drums

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MSM Schmidt: Transit (2007)

Hard to believe the guy is an amateur... The strenght of this record lies in the fact that the songs are really good. Then the stellar line-up takes them to another dimension. Excellent contemporary jazz/melodic fusion album.

Tracklist:
01. Journey To Fukuoka   
02. Little Joe   
03. Country X   
04. Song for Michel (dedicated to Michel Colombier)   
05. Rizma   
06. Interlude   
07. Caroline   
08. Slow Moves   
09. X-Press (More than words Kin Sey)   
10. Sphere   
11. Falling Down   
12. Country X Acoustic version

Personnel: Vinnie Colaiuta, Kirk Covington, Wolfgang Haffner & Joel Rosenblatt (Drums); Dave Carpenter, Jimmy Earl, Ric Fierabracci, Jimmy Haslip, Will Lee & Ernest Tibbs (Bass); Scott Henderson & Mike Miller (Guitar); Mitchel Forman, David Garfield & Scott Kinsey, Kai Thomsen & MSM Schmidt (Keyboards); Brandon Fields, Steve Tavaglione & Ernie Watts (Saxophone); Rick Braun & Walt Fowler (Trumpet); Brad Dutz (Percussion); Judd Miller (EVI)

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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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Jeff Richman & Chatterbox: The Line Up (2011)

Contemporary jazz guitarist Jeff Richman today announced the release of his new CD, Jeff Richman and Chatterbox: The Line Up. The Nefer Records release features Mitchel Forman on keyboards, Joel Taylor on drums and Dean Taba on bass guitar. The new CD is distributed by City Hall Records and songs are available online at iTunes, Amazon, Abstract Logix, and your local music stores. The Line Up consists of 12 new tracks exploring and expanding the boundaries of contemporary jazz. Together, the odd metered time signatures, key changes, rhythm variations, polyphony, improvisation and tempos are overcome by the band as they weave in and out of these original compositions by Richman. On three of the tracks Richman, Forman, Taylor and Taba take artistic liberties into their own hands with their shared composition of jam tracks "It's All One", "Square Root" and "Right Here, Right Now". While recording, Richman imposes challenges on himself and the band to grow and capture a bigger audience; to include them in on the musical journey. There is an inherent sense throughout the CD that gives the listener the impression that Richman and the band want the listener to experience the same fun, challenges, joy, conflict and sorrow as they do when performing. It's not forced and it happens organically, as if each song is a conversation. The melody masquerades as the topic, ideas get passed around between the artists and the audience is allowed to eavesdrop; the invisible barrier between talent and audience being removed. Guitarist Jeff Richman has enjoyed success on the jazz scene for nearly 35 years. His guitar playing is cited as tasteful and articulate, with room to breathe. He is recognized by and associated with the other luminaries of the fusion and contemporary jazz. His guitar is heard the world over. On this new release, his tone rises above with something unique that can't quite be described. It is the impression of a bare bones approach that has simplified his tone but made it gigantic. He uses his go to Fender Strats and Teles, a Jim Hall Sadowsky, a silver faced Marshall Jubilee but this time there is something else in the water.

Throughout his career, Richman has recorded and performed with the crème de la crème of talent. He has discovered and forged a solid rapport with each member of the band. Now he successfully brings them together to form one cohesive unit that seems untouchable on this recording. As Richman sums it up, "This is the band. This is what I've wanted to achieve. I know I can go anywhere in the world with these guys and it will be an amazing time for us and the fans. It feels good, it sounds good, and I can't wait to take this show out on the road."

Tracklist:
01.The Line Up
02.Window To The Heart
03.Rule Of Thumb
04.It's All One (jam # 1)
05.Hat Trick
06.Cross My Heart
07.Once More Twice
08.Square Root (jam # 2)
09.Smoke Ring
10.Point Of You
11.Right Here, Right Now (jam # 3)
12.Window To The Heart (reprise)
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The Doky Brothers: 2 (1997)

The Doky Brothers, Vol. 2 pales slightly in comparison to the duo's first release, but the album remains a fine example of contemporary mainstream jazz due to the exceptional playing of pianist Niels Lan Doky and bassist Chris Minh Doky.

Tracklist:
01. How Can I Help You Say 4:29
02. Man In The Mirror 5:20
03. Forever Grateful 5:23
04.Tender Lies 5:18
05. Efter Festen 8:08
06. Waiting In Vain 5:06
07. Sex Pots 2:50
08. Silent Prayer 5:32
09. Reminiscence 4:26
10. Waiting On You 4:55
11. If You Were My Man 4:49
12. Time To Say Goodbye 3:09
Personnel:
Niels Lan Doky - acoustic piano
Chris Minh Doky - bass
Al Jarreau - vocal on track 1
John Scofield - guitar on track 2
Jeff "Tain" Watts - drums on track 10
Trilok Gurtu - tabla on tracks 6,7
David Sanborn - alto saxophone on track 11
Randy Brecker - trumpet on track 12
Darryl Munyungo Jackson - percussion on track 6
Gino Vannelli - vocal and guitar on track 4, percussion
Toots Thielemans - harmonica on track 9
Dianne Reeves - vocal on track 6
Bill Evans - soprano saxophone on track 8
Sanne Salomonsen - vocal on track 11
Terri Lyne Carrington - drums, percussion, cymbal
Alex Riel - drums
Paul Mazzio - trumpet on track 4
Xavier Dessandre-Navarre - percussion on tracks 2, 3, 7
Jeff Boudreaux - drums
Mitch Forman - organ on track 11
Joyce Imbesi - keyboards
Randy Cannon - keyboards
Louis Winsberg - guitar
Chris Parks - guitar
Anders Mogensen - cymbal roll on track 4
Sharon Fuller - background vocal on track 11
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