lunedì 19 gennaio 2015

JACKIE VENSON "THE LIGHT IN ME"

Hailing from Austin, Texas, Venson further proves her endurance on her latest set, The Light In Me, which bursts with traditional blues aesthetics but upholds melodic soul for a rich blend that is tailor-fit for her spunky and witty style. As a fellow South Texan myself, she's pretty much kinfolk as she's knows that everything is in fact bigger here, and her sound reflects it in pounds as numbers such as the pew-stomping "Always Free," horn-peppered sway of "Best For Last" and her single "The Love I Give," are bold and infallible entries. And if it's subdued that you want, then Venson can whisper loving poetics this side of "Beauty Of Your Love" and the cushy acoustic title track to place you in the calm of her storm. Though there are many vibrant voices that come our way daily, a lot don't get to stand on a table and shout out loud, but Venson, on the other hand, has the boisterous attitude as well as the creative drive to create tunes her way without bending to any so-called rules, and those elements will spark and have her elbow her way to the front of the line without a misstep. JACKIE VENSON
 

REGGIE CODRINGTON "ALWAYS IN MOTION"

Discerning urban jazz fans searching for something new to get jazzed and groove about don’t need to have A Vicarious Experience to make it happen—they just need to get hip to the melodic and cool old school soul meets contemporary funk of veteran saxophonist Reggie Codrington. While the Fayetteville, North Carolina native is new on many people’s radars, he’s actually been performing and recording since the early 90s and has eight previous CDs, several under the name Reggie C; the most recent of these are Sunny Days (2008), Vision of Dreams (2010), Christmas With Pops (2009) and Journey Back Home (2005), which was produced by Phil Davis, who has worked with Stanley Clarke, George Duke and Al Jarreau, among many others.Produced by and featuring the tenacious bass playing of Brian Morgan (whose many credits include George Benson), A Vicarious Experience finds Codrington—whose primary voice is the curved soprano sax--in a romantic, optimistic mood, using the changing vibes of the songs (and the listener’s imagination) to chronicle the ups, downs, excitement and challenges of a romantic relationship from track to track. While many artists cite their parents as prime influences on their careers, Codrington takes that one step further, inviting his father Ray—who helped Codrington develop his skills and learn improvisation—to play trumpet throughout the recording.“When I make a record, I always want to have a warm sound with harmonies,” he says, “and in this case that means having dad play a lot of horn parts and percussion. When we were making the album, I found myself in a 70s and 80s type groove, inspired by everyone from De La Soul funk rhythms to Sade and Parliament. I grew up listening to old school R&B/funk so that’s a pretty natural influence for me. The process began with Brian sending me some great tracks and me putting melodies to them, then arranging harmonies and atmospheres around my lead sax. The romantic story thread emerged from the emotions I was experiencing at the time with the lady I was dating. I thought it might be fun to invite people into my musical heart this way.” REGGIE CODRINGTON

CARMEN LUNDY "SOUL TO SOUL"

Carmen Lundy began her professional career in Miami, FL as a jazz vocalist and composer when there were very few young, gifted and aspiring jazz vocalists on the horizon. Over four decades later, Ms. Lundy is celebrated throughout the world for her vocal artistry and is highly regarded for her jazz innovation.Currently on the Afrasia Productions label, Carmen is releasing her 14th album in the Fall of 2014. Almost two years in the making, “Soul To Soul” consists of new original songs by Lundy, and a few very special collaborations. The album features legendary artists - specialists on their respective instruments - including Patrice Rushen, Geri Allen, Randy Brecker, Ada Rovatti, Warren Wolf, Bennie Maupin, harpist Carol Robbins, and Simphiwe Dana, a stunning South African vocalist and composer, among others.The highly regarded 2012 release “Changes” (Afrasia Productions) is on several ‘Top 10 Albums of 2012’ lists, and continues to garner both critical and popular acclaim. Said James Nadal of All About Jazz, “With her release of Changes, veteran singer Carmen Lundy rises to that proverbial summit to enjoy the rarefied air of the chosen few.” Terri Lyne Carrington’s Mosaic Project - Grammy Winner for Best Jazz Vocal Album of 2011- features the Carmen Lundy composition “Show Me A Sign”, with Ms. Lundy’s original performance from the album “Solamente” reinvented on the arrangement. CARMEN LUNDY