Best Acid Jazz
1 Kohala
Charlie Recaido: guitar; formerly with the group Summer Kevin Teves: guitar BAND_MEMBERS: Charles Michael Brotman Kevin Teves Charlie Recaido.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Love the Band Kohala, beautiful, music if you love slack key hawaiian infused/blues and jazz."
"I continue to introduce my family and friends to this talented group by giving them Kohala cds as gifts."
"Was thrilled to death with the CD."
"If you like slack-key guitar, this is slack-key guitar done right."
"I listen to this beautiful music constantly!"
"I got this CD for my grand daughter who is getting into playing guitar... she loves it."
Charlie Hunter-gtr, Skerik-sax, Michael Ray (Sun Ra), recorded completely live in the studio w. no overdubs; album is also a CD-ROM containing videos, audio cuts, interviews & photos. Moore is mostly joined by guitarist Charlie Hunter and saxophonist Skerik ( Tuatara , Critters Buggin' ) for a groovy studio session that leaves plenty of room for each to shine.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The New Orleans drummer from Galactic gets all funked out on jazz."
"This is truly FUNKY jazz music."
"I like this album better than Flyin' the Koop because it's more organic (it was recorded live and is mostly effects-free), and because I think it demonstrates some great improvisation and a fresh-feeling sound. Skerik is a great collaborator with Moore--bringing lithe chops and a generally more jazzy sound than Ben Ellman of Galactic (who also guests on a few songs here), not to mention a great sense of humor--just listen to his sax/vocal solo on Monk's "Green Chimneys." However, his style and effect-laden sound is so distinctive that it kind of makes the songs sound more like Charlie Hunter songs, rather than Stanton Moore songs, whose name is on the album; a minor quibble."
"This is unrestrained, funky jazz, ultra-talented, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants get up and dance music. And even drum solos which often bore me work perfectly here, are seamlessly intertwined into the music, and aren't unnecessarily prolonged. I hate classifying artists and music ("jam bands", etc.). Anyone who doesn't feel the need to get up and move to cuts like Tchfunkta, Nalgas, and Kooks On Parade needs to go back to the mindless world of Top 40. Honey Island closing out the album and a nod to traditional jazz...underspoken and beautiful."
"Stanton Moore, regular drummer for "Galactic", and "Garage a Trois" put this little triumph together live in New Orleans in 1998; along with Saxophonic master Skerik, and 8 string, funk guitar, trail blazer Charlie Hunter. Hip hop fused with Latin drum beats, tenor and baritone sax odysseys, coupled with soprano solos, trumpet, trombone, and even a tuba makes this album kick up dust on its own."
The balance makes "Kohala" great listening on headphones, but these carefully crafted arrangements are a best bet for any situation that calls for soothing romantic music.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Minimalist approach in terms of packaging as relates to liner notes, and performance, but very melodic."
"This is terrific background music, soft sounds, mellow presentation and nicely executed."
"We looked for this particular artist for quite some time after hearing the music on Sonic Radio."
"Soft, soothing, lovely island music."
"fantastic relaxing, soothing music!"
"I purchased this to upload to my blog site."
Best Cool Jazz
Unreleased until 1997, these tapes were recorded during two stops on Sinatra's brief Australian tour of 1959, during which he was backed by the quintet of jazz vibraphonist Red Norvo.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Just a fun performance by Sinatra who never really liked Australia for a number of reasons but doesn't 'take it out' on the audience and even jokes about some of his run ins with the law."
"The vibraphone work by band leader Red Norvo gives it a distinctive touch."
"Great Sinatra live recording with a small band but sound quality not quite up to par."
"This is an excellent concert.One reviewer wrote that the sound was unacceptable but I found it very OK. Frank was in excellent voice and very relaxed and delivered with each song."
"I finally joined the twenty-first century a couple months ago and got on the internet. The quality of the recording is excellent, especially considering the performance was more than 50 years ago."
"great music - this is a live recording and the record quality is not great - a real shame because it is some of the best that Sinatra did - Red Norvo is at the top of his talent."
"This live concert though not as polished as his later live recordings. transported me to another time and place when he was away from home base and. a little more on edge."
"Sound quality a little off, but who cares?"
Best Swing Jazz
Fronted by pianist Thomas Lauderdale, Pink Martini is the real article--a band that approaches the music with unwavering seriousness yet never forgets the fun at the heart of it.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is my first CD from Pink Martini and it was theirs; the CD has both vibrant upbeat and more mellow romantic tunes."
"Love it."
"You don't have this in your collection already?!?"
"It's my same question with regard to music from Latin America, Europe et al. You would have to be a big time sampler of music throughout the world to find these gems."
"They can take a song like "Que Sera Sera" and turn it into a beautiful symphonic childlike ballad with a slightly edgy, off-kilter sound achieved by a singing major-key melody over a harmony that chromatically varies back and forth. If you like classical, latin, jazz, standards, and 30s-50s era pop music, then this is a CD you need to check out."
Best Vocal Jazz
Darren, whose voice is a closer match to Tony Bennett 's than to Sinatra's, is supported by an excellent orchestra, a cast of A-list arrangers including Alan Broadbent , Sammy Nestico , and Marty Paich , and a top-to-bottom collection of great songs.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Just about everything Darren sang as Vic Fontaine on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" is here, especially "All the Way", which was a favorite of the late Jadzia Dax."
"Over the summer I introduced my kids to the wonder of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and my daughter was so taken with "Vic Fontaine" and his music that I had to see if he had a CD."
"I'm a fan of Star Trek Deep Space Nine and this CD was a must have for anyone that loved the character of Vic Fontaine."
"Just ideal for this genre of music."
"All Star Trek nerds love Vic Fontaine!"
"He has been around this type of music for a long having been with the Sinatra family and it is a natural for him and his big band sound."
"I was watching DS9 and heard James Darren again and had to buy this."
Best Smooth Jazz
This is the perfect setting for acoustic guitarist Earl Klugh, playing strong melodies (including such standards as "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," "Laura," "Mona Lisa" and "Two for the Road") while joined by strings and several horns in an orchestra arranged and conducted by Dave Mathews.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Perfect music when you're in the mood for something peaceful and civilized."
"Great album with easy listening music, not really smooth jazz which I don't like."
"Earl the Pearl strikes again!"
"The sound of :Late Night Guitar" make me happy."
"I ordered this title after enjoying another of Klugh's albums, The Spice of Life."
"Very nice music by Earl Klugh."
Best Jazz Piano
The classic hits of Frank Sinatra are presented with style and grace in an intimate jazz trio setting.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"As I own more than 20 Beegie CD's I feel well qualified to give it a top rating."
"Sing it to me Frank, This one is sweet to/for ALLl festive OCCASIONS."
"Great."
"Wife liked it so I'm in good shape."
"Wonderful CD --listen to it a lot!"
"Some reviewers here didn't like this album as much as her others."
"I'm usually quite critical, discerning usually, but since finding Beegie Adair...every arrangement she does would get an A+ from my college music theory instructor!"
"Great Music of Sinatra favorites."
Best Jazz Fusion
Maiden Voyage is a masterpiece of the school, with Hancock's enduring compositions like "Maiden Voyage" and "Dolphin Dance" mingling creative tension and calm repose with strong melodies and airy, suspended harmonies that give form to his evocative sea imagery.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Better than a warm pair of non-slip socks!"
"Buy it for the title track, keep it for the rest."
"Not up there with Miles's Kind of Blue or Brubeck's Time Out (or any Keith Jarrett Trio CDs) as far as fidelity goes."
"Evoking the ocean, this classic Blue Note date , shows Herbie Hancock at his greatest as pianist and composer."
"This goes way back in the alley, as BB king would say."
"Of course when reviewing anything especially music, it can get quite subjective."
"Herbie Hancock ushered in a whole new type of jazz, along with Bill Evans, Dave Brubeck and others."
Best Traditional Jazz
Possessing an uncanny blend of exuberance and creativity, he combined virtuosic declarations with a talent for the subtlest shifts in phrasing and melodic variation, creating rich emotional statements that could hint at loss in the midst of joy or the promise of better things in the most sorrowful blues. The band expands here, to the Hot Seven and larger ensembles, and it gains soloists who applied Armstrong's lessons to their own instruments--musicians such as pianist Earl Hines and trombonist Jack Teagarden --but all come under the imprint of Armstrong's flowering genius, as both trumpeter and singer. There are alternate takes of the later material on Columbia Legacy (including Louis in New York and St. Louis Blues ), so collectors will want both.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"These recordings feature Armstrong in a period when his trumpet playing received more attention than his singing. The trumpet on "Tight like That", "West End Blues", "Potatoe head Blues" - what a musical genius it took to produce such music !!! There are guest appearances by the great blues guitarist Lonnie Johnson, great clarinet from Johnny Dodds, great piano work by Earl Hines, great ensamble playing."
"These recordings feature Armstrong in a period when his trumpet playing received more attention than his singing. The trumpet on "Tight like That", "West End Blues", "Potatoe head Blues" - what a musical genius it took to produce such music !!! There are guest appearances by the great blues guitarist Lonnie Johnson, great clarinet from Johnny Dodds, great piano work by Earl Hines, great ensamble playing."
"Love this set!"
"Excellent sound for these classic recordings."
"If you are into roots jazz, do not miss this essential collection."
"Very important recordings, but that's not the only thing, the music. in itself is extremely well performed."
"This is a good collection."
"In the first three volumes, the content is excellent and I am happy to have a complete record of Armstrong's Hot 5 and 7 recordings."
Best International Jazz
All have the guitar-led sound just like Django Reinhardt, while Clearwater and Pearl Django add the violin that also helped make the Django sound distinctive (in his case, most famously by Stephane Grappelli). Jazz vocalist Connie Evingson sings with three different Hot Club groups: Pearl Django, Parisota Hot Club and Clearwater Hot Club.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Ms Evengson merges technical brilliance, a beautiful voice and the pure joy in singing which just makes me smile. I especially like "you and the Night and the Music" because she matched the sex appeal of a Julie London but added improvs which are totally 21st century."
"I especially love listening to Connie while working in the kitchen."
"Simply a great combination of songs and style while weaving different instrumentation into one beautiful set of music."
"This collection of great songs done in the style of Django Reilnhard and the hot club of Paris from the thirties is well covered by Connie and a great group of "stringed" musicians. Wayne. ."
"I love this recording."
"This is my 3rd CD from Connie Evingson."
"Connie Evingson's voice is lovely."
"I will eventually try her other CDs.."
Best Contemporary Jazz
Make It Phat, Baby!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Love this CD."
"AWESOME CD, THESE GUYS ARE THE BEST."
"A great music product...with fresh song choices.Many songs I had never heard...but I really enjoyed them..a truly worthwhile purchase for the old..as well as the young..Enjoy."
"THE JAZZ IS PART FUNK, PART JAZZ."
"I love this CD."
Best Jazz Guitarists
For this recording, parts of which were recorded in Chicago, Curt enlists the help of top Jazz Musicians such as: Larry Novak (Piano), Rusty Jones (Drums), Nick Tountas (Bass) Ricky Malichi (Drums), Ruben Gutierrez (Keyboards) and Francisco Anguiano (Bass). Curt plays from Sambas & Bossa Novas to Hip Grooves and Chord Solos (an art form that is almost lost today). This album, parts of which were recorded in Chicago, presents the virtuosity of jazz guitarist Curt Warren.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My wife and I recently heard Warren play live at a University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) musical event."
"Great Jazz guitar."
"Curt's playing has a very tasteful and sophisticated selection of notes, specially in the great bossa novas on this CD."
"This Cd is Very Deep and both of my kids, Jimmy and Jerome love it."
"I'm not saying the cat can't play...The reason I purchased the CD is I heard some other stuff he did that was pretty nice...But an entire CD of bossa nova crap is not for me since I'm pretty much a slave to straight ahead jazz style...If you dig bossa nova you can have the CD I purchased."
Best Avant-Garde
Sanders will be forever known as the tenor saxophonist who stood beside John Coltrane during the last years of the ultimate tenor saxophonist's life, and on this 2 CD set, five of the 12 compositions are by Coltrane.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I love the song Light at the edge of the world and Lonnies Lament."
"It was only when I begin to see it as a kind of ultimate exercise by Sanders into the fabulous capability of the tenor sax to produce simply ravishing sounds that I began to see its genius. Thus, when I listen to his absolutely absorbing rendering of that incredibly overrecorded standard, Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood," I find myself first drawn in by his ravishing tone, then enfolded in the tune's inherent poignancy, in a way that I've never been with another player. In other words, feeling becomes an outworking of a technique so profound, so overwhelming, that one's only response is yield to the inherent emotional depth of the tune. Taken at a leisurely pace, sans pyrotechnics, Sanders (and the quartet) allows the inherent beauty of the tune to naturally unfold, as it were. This is so far removed from the deconstructionist tendencies (of which I, generally, am a fan) that rule modern jazz as to render Sanders almost an archaic figure. Yet they consistently provide the ideal playing enviornment for Sanders--and not in the mail-in-your-chops way that Sonny Rollins' bandmates for the last ten years seem to have done."
"There is a tangible melancholic mood to this sublime 2 disk album, with Pharoah displaying a restrained confidence and warmth, that for those listeners that are only familiar with Pharoah's work, via albums like "Karma" & "Africa" with be pleasantly surprised with this sorely underrated masterpiece. It's an album that is unhurried and tempo, and reflective in mood, and considering the majority of Pharoahs work, ultimately a more introspective and insular album."
"Listen to this set,and you'll discover a great tenor player,so close to his ancesters,Hawkins and Webster.I wish Albert Ayler was still alive,because I think he would have given us such great records,combining the respect and love for older masters and shades of the free years.Albert's voice can still be heard in David Murray's playing, thanks God.Here is the voice of a master of tenor saxophone,and this one can be heard and loved by all jazz lovers, even those who can't endure free jazz.Don't be afraid by the image you can have of Pharoah Sanders; if your saxophone references are Bean or Ben,or Don Byas,or even Lester, you'll like this record."
Best Brazilian & Latin Jazz
Enrique Chia has a total of 20 recordings which have sold very successfully in the United States and Latin America.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I generally don't go for compilations of medleys as they are usually the cheap way out but the scope of this album is so sweeping that the only way Chia could introduce his audience to all the musical styles of Cuba on one CD is through the device of the medley. This grand project has certainly been worthy of my collection and is fit for listening both at home and in the office."
"The songs are well known but still they are played by Chia with such a feeling!!!"
"You don't have to have Spanish blood to love his music."
"Wonderful record to own, specially if you are from the Caribbean, because all the songs are international , in a word every body that is mature will remember all these magnificent and romantic lyrics ."
"Piano musics of Enrique Chia ares quiet,peacefull and romantic .I was really calmed by his Piano and felt like I am with THE God and I was prayig and thanking God for the happy time given by his music.Really nice music."
"Absolutely beautiful."
Best New Age
Instrumental jazz for the holidays featuring Beegie Adair on piano, Denis Solee on tenor saxophone and produced by guitarists, Jack Jezzro and Brendan Harkin.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great addition to Christmas music library."
"This has quite quickly become my new favorite Christmas CD."
"If you like Christmas music with a jazzy spin you like this."
"The upbeat instrumentals on this CD, as well as "Bossa Nova Christmas" also by Jack Jezzro, are fine Christmas background music for cocktail parties, offices, easy listening."
Best General
Oscar Peterson and his six-piece combo are all business on Peterson's 1995 Christmas recording, extolling the virtues of Peterson's intelligent and seductive keyboard work as well as those of his knowing sidemen. Peterson can be as sentimental as anyone , for example, on "White Christmas," while also slowing a down-tempo melody even more to create an intoxicating vista.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Love to listen to Oscar Peterson and his band."
"This is the best swing'n Christmas Music I have heard in quite a few years, You cant help but be in the Christmas mood with MR. Anoscar Peterson bring'n in the best for the Christmas spirit."
"What better way to spend Christmas for jazz fans than with the Oscar Peterson Quartet, augmented by guest artists Jack Schantz on flugelhorn and Dave samuels on vibes."
"This CD has been out so long it seems pointless to write a review, but having just "discovered" it I wanted to mention what many already know: this is an instrumental jazz Christmas classic by one of the greats."
"This is an absolutely sensational Christmas CD by one of jazz music's most talented and beloved artists."
"This album is swingin`,and reverant, and perfect for those of us who love the old Christmas tunes."
"Especially if you are an Oscar Peterson fan, this is a nice seasonal addition to anyone's condition."
"Wonderful holiday CD by Oscar Peterson one of my favorite pianist."
Best Bebop
Oscar Peterson and his six-piece combo are all business on Peterson's 1995 Christmas recording, extolling the virtues of Peterson's intelligent and seductive keyboard work as well as those of his knowing sidemen. Peterson can be as sentimental as anyone , for example, on "White Christmas," while also slowing a down-tempo melody even more to create an intoxicating vista.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Love to listen to Oscar Peterson and his band."
"This is the best swing'n Christmas Music I have heard in quite a few years, You cant help but be in the Christmas mood with MR. Anoscar Peterson bring'n in the best for the Christmas spirit."
"What better way to spend Christmas for jazz fans than with the Oscar Peterson Quartet, augmented by guest artists Jack Schantz on flugelhorn and Dave samuels on vibes."
"This CD has been out so long it seems pointless to write a review, but having just "discovered" it I wanted to mention what many already know: this is an instrumental jazz Christmas classic by one of the greats."
"This is an absolutely sensational Christmas CD by one of jazz music's most talented and beloved artists."
"This album is swingin`,and reverant, and perfect for those of us who love the old Christmas tunes."
"Especially if you are an Oscar Peterson fan, this is a nice seasonal addition to anyone's condition."
"Wonderful holiday CD by Oscar Peterson one of my favorite pianist."
Best Boogaloo
While many of Morgan's later sessions for Blue Note would find him paired with saxophonist Hank Mobley , The Sidewinder features then up-and-coming tenor player Joe Henderson , plus Detroit pianist Barry Harris , bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Billy Higgins.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"An unexpected hit for the late trumpeter, Lee Morgan, "The Sidewinder" also brought him great popularity."
"One of my favorite jazz albums."
"Great pressing."
"love his music gone to young."
"Classic Lee Morgan; no one blows better than Lee on this album."
"I've heard many a Blue Note album released with sub-par second takes but this version of "Totem" could easily have made the cut and is in some ways better than the album version."
"Now playing Sidewinder more than rest of collection."
"You can clean the record before it's ever played the first time, and it still has strange, artificial surface noise that comes from the bad pressing."
Best Modern Post Bop
Maiden Voyage is a masterpiece of the school, with Hancock's enduring compositions like "Maiden Voyage" and "Dolphin Dance" mingling creative tension and calm repose with strong melodies and airy, suspended harmonies that give form to his evocative sea imagery.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Better than a warm pair of non-slip socks!"
"Buy it for the title track, keep it for the rest."
"Not up there with Miles's Kind of Blue or Brubeck's Time Out (or any Keith Jarrett Trio CDs) as far as fidelity goes."
"Evoking the ocean, this classic Blue Note date , shows Herbie Hancock at his greatest as pianist and composer."
"This goes way back in the alley, as BB king would say."
"Of course when reviewing anything especially music, it can get quite subjective."
"Herbie Hancock ushered in a whole new type of jazz, along with Bill Evans, Dave Brubeck and others."