In case you missed the last one…
Bruce Eisenbeil, Inner Constellation (NEMU): A 27-part free suite (just over 45 minutes), followed by three shorter pieces. Simpatico quintet featuring Nasheet Waits on drums and Aaron Ali Sheikh (curator of this important concert series) on alto. Eisenbeil sounds great on electric and acoustic guitars.
James Carney, Green-Wood (Songlines): The graffiti-style cover graphic led me to think this might be a hip-hop project, but no — it’s a solid modern jazz outing for septet, featuring pianist/keyboardist Carney with the likes of Ralph Alessi, Tony Malaby and Josh Roseman.
Eberhard Weber, Stages of a Long Journey (ECM): Sumptuous live large-ensemble retrospective from the German bassist. Gary Burton sounds wonderful on it.
Marcus Strickland, Open Reel Deck (Strick Muzik): Good sophomore disc from the Twi-Life Group, with Mike Moreno taking Lage Lund’s place on guitar. I don’t quite get the three lo-fi tracks (“In-“, “cep-“, “tion-“), but elsewhere the sound, tunes and solos are strong. Features the spoken-word of Malachi on five of 12 tracks, and pianist Jon Cowherd on his own “Subway Suite 2nd Movement,” which can also be heard here. [P.S. I was remiss in not pointing out trumpeter Keyon Harrold’s fantastic performance on track 10, “Virtue.”]
simakDialog, Patahan (MoonJune): Live recording from Jakarta, Indonesia, leaning a bit toward fusion, the main attraction being pianist/Fender Rhodes man Riza Arshad. Lyrical original works, with an edge.
Michael Musillami, The Treatment (Playscape): The guitarist’s Beijing trio, with special guest Mark Feldman on violin. Long takes, open forms, intricate themes, tight rhythmic foundation in bassist Joe Fonda and drummer George Schuller. With a DVD too.
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