Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Mike Longo's NY State of the Art Jazz Ensemble returns to Gillespie Auditorium

You'll groove on some exciting new compositions and arrangements with straight ahead, burnin', foot stompin' jazz when Mike Longo's swingin' 17-piece Big Band, the NY State of the Art Jazz Ensemble returns to "Jazz Tuesdays" this Tuesday, November 30 in the Gillespie Auditorium at the New York Baha'i Center at 53 East 11th Street (between University Place & Broadway). There will be 2 shows at 8:00 and 9:30. Call 212-222-5159 for reservations and information.

This is the big band that thrilled a sold-out house this past October at Dizzy Gillespie's birthday celebration and was voted "Band of the Year" in the 2004 Jazz Station Poll. You will be delighted by the NYSAJE's repertoire from their latest CD "Oasis", that topped the charts at # 7 in December 2004 and remained in the top 20 for an unprecedented 16 weeks. And you won't want to miss fantastic vocalist Ira Hawkins’ renditions of some jazz and blues classics.

Mike Longo has performed with a list of jazz legends that include Cannonball Adderley, Henry Red Allen, Coleman Hawkins, George Wettling, Gene Krupa, Nancy Wilson, Gloria Lynn, Jimmy
Witherspoon, Joe Williams, Jimmy Rushing, James Moody and many others.
It was in the mid-60s when Longo’s trio was playing at the Embers West, that Roy Eldridge told Dizzy Gillespie about this new pianist he had heard. Dizzy came to hear him play and soon asked him to become his pianist. This started a life-long musical relationship and friendship.

From 1966 through 1975, Longo worked exclusively as Dizzy’s pianist and musical director. Mike left the Gillespie group officially in 1975 to venture out on his own, but continued to work
for Gillespie on a part-time basis until his death in 1993. Since that time Mike has recorded numerous albums and CDs on various labels with some 45 recordings with artists such as Gillespie, James Moody, Astrud Gilberto etc.
At present he has over 20 solo albums to his credit. He is sought after as a music instructor and is in demand for jazz clinics and concerts at universities and music schools throughout the world, and has appeared at the Lincoln Center’s new jazz room “Dizzy’s Club Coca- Cola.” Longo is founder and President of Consolidated Artists Productions (CAP), an independent recording label. Longo’s latest venture, Jazz Tuesdays, is dedicated to allowing artists to retain creative control of their work and providing students and the general public with an opportunity to hear “world class jazz at affordable prices.”

Mike Longo is a Steinway artist.

Admission is 15.00, $10.00 for students.

Tickets will be sold at the door, or call 212-222-5159 for
reservations and information.

The John Birks Gillespie Auditorium, dedicated to the late jazz great Dizzy Gillespie, who was a Bahá'í, is located within the New York City Bahá'í Center. Beginning on January 6, 2004, the anniversary of Dizzy’s death, his former pianist and musical director, Mike Longo, began presenting weekly jazz concerts every Tuesday evening at 8:00 and 9:30 PM.

The John Birks Gillespie Auditorium is located in the heart of
Greenwich Village within the Baha'i Center.
NYC Baha'i Center
53 East 11th St. (Between Broadway and University Place)
New York, NY 10003

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on CBS

The sexiest night on television is coming Tuesday, November 30 at 10/9C on CBS! Get ready with these sexy sounds from musical guests Katy Perry and Akon—and enter to win great prizes in the Fashion Show Countdown Sweepstakes. No purchase necessary. See Official Rules at http://bit.ly/VSFashionShow

Countdown Challenge #10: Lingerie for LifeNov 30, 2010 - It’s the final challenge and the ultimate prize! So tune in tonight for the sexiest night on television, then play for a chance to win Lingerie for Life (valued at US $20,000)! Sweeps ends tomorrow, December 1. Open to residents of the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec). Must be at least 18 and not a minor. Skill testing question required for Canadian residents. See Official Rules and play at VictoriasSecret.com/FashionShow. Latest version of Flash required.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Anat Cohen: free concerts in NY tonite!

Tonight, November 29, in Manhattan:
FREE SHOW - Anat Cohen Quartet with guests Avishai Cohen & John Pizzarelli
Eleventh Annual Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square –
New York City's largest holiday festival!
(Along Broadway from Time Warner Center to 68th Street)

Venue: American Folk Art Museum's Lincoln Square Branch (125 Columbus Avenue between 65th and 66th Streets)

Featuring: Jason Lindner (piano), Joe Martin (bass) & Daniel Freedman (drums)
Special guests:
Avishai Cohen (trumpet) and, on the first set only, John Pizzarelli (guitar)

Set times: 6:45 pm & 7:45 pm
For more info go to http://winterseve.org

CD of the Week - "Paquito D'Rivera: Panamericana Suite"

CD of the Week
Paquito D'Rivera: "Panamericana Suite" (MCG Jazz) 2010

Musical performance: *****
Audio quality: ****
D'Rivera's Panamericana Orchestra featuring: Edmar Castaneda, Dave Samuels, Andy Narell,
& Brenda Feliciano
Highlights: Paquito's own "Panamericana Suite," Dizzy Gillespie's "Con Alma," Roberto Pansera's "Preludio No. 3" and Carlos Franzetti's "Serenade."

Few jazz artists have been as musically omnivorous -- and dazzingly accomplished -- as the Cuban-born alto saxophone and clarinet virtuoso Paquito D'Rivera. Equally at home performing bebop, tango, and classical as well as afro-cuban styles, D'Rivera displays his mastery of many genres on his new CD, "Panamericana Suite."

Recorded live at Pittsburgh's Manchester Craftsmen's Guild for MCG Jazz in April 2008, "Panamericana Suite" takes its name from a piece commissioned by Jazz at Lincoln Center that D'Rivera premiered in 2000. A stunning cultural synthesis encompassing North, Central, and South America leavened with a Caribbean rhythmic sensibility, the project reflects D'Rivera's embracing musical vision.

"I am an eclectic person," D'Rivera says. "I grew up the son of a classical saxophone player who loved jazz. He loved to put on Heifetz and Mario Lanza, and then listen to Benny Goodman and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Growing up in Havana, Latin American music was in the air."

The new CD boasts an all-star international cast, with Pedro Martinez (batas, timbales, vocals), Pernell Saturnino (percussion), Oscar Stagnaro (bass), and Mark Walker (bass) comprising the supple rhythm section.

Also featured in the Panamericana Orchestra are pianist Alon Yavnai; Dana Leong on trombone & cello (!!!); Hector del Curto, bandoneon; Andy Narell on steel pans; Dave Samuels, vibraphone & marimba; trumpeter Diego Urcola; the Colombian harpist Edmar Castaneda; and the Puerto Rican lyric soprano Brenda Feliciano.

"This recording expresses the essence of Paquito D'Rivera," says Marty Ashby, who produced the CD with his brother Jay Ashby. "From refined Classical compositions to swinging jazz, Paquito takes the listener on a journey celebrating the multitude of Latin and World rhythms, connecting them with the best of jazz and Classical traditions."

Since making his way to the U.S. in 1979, Paquito D'Rivera has established himself as a force in the jazz world, with numerous solo albums and a long-running association with Dizzy Gillespie, culminating when he became one of the musical directors of the trumpeter's last great band, the United Nation Orchestra. D'Rivera led the United Nation Orchestra to a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album at the 40th annual Grammy Awards with its Live at MCG CD, which was recorded at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild.

In 2005, he was named an NEA Jazz Master and awarded the National Medal of Arts at the White House. He's the only artist ever to have won Latin Grammy Awards in both Classical and Jazz categories, for 2003's Stravinsky's Historia del Soldado (L'Histoire du Soldat) and Brazilian Dreams. No matter what style he's exploring, D'Rivera consistently collaborates with the finest musicians and ensembles, from the Ying Quartet, Turtle Island Quartet, Imani Winds, and Yo-Yo Ma to the London Royal Symphony, Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra.

As a leader of numerous bands and projects, and an increasingly acclaimed composer, D'Rivera continues to blaze new trails, combining the styles and traditions that excite his imagination. He was recently commissioned by Caramoor, as Composer in Residence, to write a concerto for the St. Luke's Chamber Orchestra; the work, titled "Conversations with Cachao," is dedicated to the Cuban bass legend. D'Rivera has just released another new CD called "Tango Jazz: Live at Jazz at Lincoln Center" on Paquito Records/Sunnyside Records. But right now the "talk of the right" is "Panamericana Suite!"

DJ Hana: 1st Anniversary Party @ Kitchen 305

"I'm very excited about December 1st., 2010 what will be a special day for me," says the lovely DJ Hana. "One year ago I started working every Wednesday night at Newport Beachside hotel in Sunny Isles Beach. In this hotel I met amazing people who are like family to me! Thank you everyone!!"

So, please join us this next Wednesday, December 1st, to celebrate celebrate this event with DJ Hana and a very special guest who will be performing with her: Victor Espinola, featured harpist with The Yanni World Tour.
They will give 100 CDs for free!
"THE BEST OF KITCHEN 305 -DJ HANA 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY"
Wed., December 1st, 10pm-3am
Kitchen 305
16701 Collins Ave.
Sunny Isles, FL

Casting: The Making of "The Pop" Star

ATTN: SINGERS! MAJOR TV SHOW TO LAUNCH SINGERS
CASTING: THE MAKING OF "THE POP" STAR!!!!

Looking for entertainment industry professionals with STRONG personalities and unique personal style to fill the following roles:

THIS IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR REAL SINGERS.

"The Popstar" - Looking for early 20's male or female pop/dance/r&b singers - NOT LOOKING FOR KARAOKE SINGERS - dance training is a plus, but you should write your own music, lyrics or both, have a great look and an unrelenting hunger for fame (please send any links to recorded tracks or live performance video)

"The Studio Manager" - Late 20's to 30's Female - should have real experience managing a theatre or studio space (like "Smashbox") - looking for bossy, sassy, domineering, "no bullshit" kind of personality

"The Assistant" - Early 20's Hot Male (prefer gay) - should be looking for personal assistant position in the entertainment business - looking for class president/overachiever types

Email: singingpop2011@gmail.com

name
age
city your in
job
phone
photo
link to your music

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Three of Joe Farrell's CTI gems will be reissued on CD for the very first time!

Miracles happen sometimes! Three longtime out-of-print Joe Farrell albums from his CTI heyday will be reissued on CD for the first time ever, on January 20, 2011, by the Wounded Bird label. "Penny Arcade," "Upon This Rock" and "Canned Funk" -- all featuring cover pics by genius Pete Turner and never before reissued not even in Japan! -- were licensed from Sony Music, which never had any interest in reissuing such titles in the US. However, all three albums became cult classics titles and were sampled a lot by DJs and rappers of the hip hop generation.

Btw, on May 22, 2008, Reuters reported:
"Rappers Kanye West, Method Man, Redman, Common and their record companies were sued on Thursday by late U.S. jazz musician Joe Farrell's daughter, who accused them of using her father's music without approval. The lawsuit, filed by Kathleen Firrantello in the U.S. District Court in New York, names the rappers along with various labels owned by Universal Music Group. The lawsuit said all the rappers used portions of Farrell's 1974 musical composition "Upon This Rock" in three separate songs -- West in "Gone," Common in "Chi-City" and Method Man and Redman in their song "Run 4 Cover."
Firrantello is seeking punitive damages of at least $1 million and asked that no further copies of the songs be made, sold or performed, according to the lawsuit.
For the complete original article, please check:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2253482520080523

Despite such legal problems, Wounded Bird reissued, in June 2009, the two albums ("La Catedral Y El Toro" and "Night Dancing") recorded by Farrell for Warner, the company with which the late reedman signed a millionaire contract in 1977 after a series of seven great albums for CTI (not counting the unofficial releases nor the live dates with the CTI All Stars bands). However, Farrell was not able to reach the same momentum of his CTI years and, maybe due to the lack of good promotional efforts, his WB albums sold much less than the CTI ones. After having recorded his first three CTI albums -- "Joe Farrell Quartet," "Outback" and "Moon Germs" -- with such famous sidemen as Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Elvin Jones, Stanley Clarke, Jack DeJohnette and Airto Moreira, most of them suggested by producer Creed Taylor, Joe Farell (1937-1986) was finally allowed to take his touring band to the Van Gelder Studio in October 1973, when his fourth CTI album, "Penny Arcade," was cut.

With the extra help of Herbie Hancock, who had performed on the previous "Moon Germs" and would rejoin the reedman on WB's "Night Dancing," Farrell's group consisted of Herb Bushler (electric bass), Steve Gadd (drums), Don Alias (percussion) and Joe Beck (electric guitar). My late friend Beck wrote the frenetic title track, while Farrell himself contributed with "Hurricane Jane," "Cloud Cream" and "Geo Blue." However, my personal favorite track is a 13-minute jam version of Stevie Wonder's "Too High." Besides some unreleased alternate takes, the sessions also yielded a groovy Beck original, "I Won't Be Back," featuring Hancock on the Fender Rhodes, which Creed Taylor smartly saved for inclusion on Farrell's follow-up "Upon This Rock."

Five months later, in March 1974, Joe Farrell returned to Van Gelder Studio with his wild pianoless gang -- guitarist Joe Beck as the main "side-star" bringing all the fuzz box, wah-wah pedals and extra effects he could handle, Thiago de Mello's former bassist Herb Bushler and drummer Jim Madison replacing Gadd -- to cut three more tracks: "Upon This Rock," "Weathervane (both written by Farrell specially for the date), and Beck's "Seven Seas." The LP picked # 24 in the Billboard "Jazz Albums" chart.
Last but not least, "Canned Funk," Farrell's sixth CTI LP, was cut (once again at Rudy's) between November & December 1974, with percussionist Ray Mantilla (heard mostly on congas) added to the road band formed by Joe Beck, Herb Bushler and Jim Madison. All four songs were composed by the leader: "Canned Funk," "Spoken Silence," Animal" and "Suite Martinique." The album came out only in May 1975, peaking at #30 among the "Jazz Albums" chart of Billboard magazine. And, in January 1976, Farrell would start to record "Benson & Farrell," his best-selling album ever (having reached #3 in the Billboard "Jazz Albums" chart and #100 in the "Hot 200 Pop Albums", obviously due to George Benson's huge popularity at that time). His last studio meeting with Creed happened in 1980 for the sessions of the first "Fuse One" all-star project.

And now I hope to see, in a near future, Wounded Bird reissuing more CTI albums (by other tenor sax players) that remain unreleased on CD format, such as Stanley Turrentine's "The Sugar Man" (which includes the original mix of "Pieces of Dreams," destroyed when the track was unnecessarily remixed to be added as a bonus track in the CD reissue of "Don't Mess With Mr. T"), Yusef Lateef's "In A Temple Garden" (featuring the terrific dancefloor hit "Morocco") and Fats Theus' "Blackout," which includes a very interesting version of Jobim's "Stone Flower."

Woody Shaw's albums to be reissued on CD

Besides the Joe Farrell albums, Wounded Bird licensed three other precious jazz items from Sony Music that will be released on CD in January 2011: trumpeter Woody Shaw's "Woody III," "United" and "For Sure!"
The extensive batch of Wounded Bird CD reissues scheduled for next January also includes: "Music From Songwriter" (Waylon Jennings/Kris Kristofferson/Willie Nelson), "12" (Howard Jones), "Our Pleasure To Serve You" (Stanky Brown Group), "Stanky Brown" (Stanky Brown Group), "New York Rock" (Michael Kamen), "Universal Language" (Booker T & The MG's) and the compilation "Best Of John Mclaughlin."

Spiritual Events next week in the LA Area

LOS ANGELES
For Full Details: http://www.facebook.com/l/d4d89huAmeETR4hiDAL0UHSK85g;https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiritualeventsla.com%2FLos_Angeles.html

* Astral Projection
* Movie Night @ House of Intuition
* The Shift
* kundalini yoga for beginners
* Creative Tantra
* Crystals & Stones
* Teachings from Dr. Sha's Book, TAO I
* Introduction to learn The Work of Byron Katie®,
* Guided Meditation with Harpist Aedan
* Fool to Fortune Workshop with James Wanless
* Manifestation Circle
* Psychic Cruise with Riz Mirza-"Awaken The Love You Are...at Sea!"
* Intro to Meditation: Awakening To Inner Consciousness With Kat Zaghi
* Psychic Development Meet-Up Group
* Open Reiki Lovers Circle
* Yuen Energy Healing & Manifesting with Angels
* Tarot Basics 102 - The Numbers/Minor Arcana
__________________________
PASADENA
For Full Details: http://www.facebook.com/l/d4d89gmh7ATGFHjSVHlH3vPvW-A;https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiritualeventsla.com%2FPasadena.html

* Prayer & Meditation Workshop

__________________________
ORANGE COUNTY
For Full Details: http://www.facebook.com/l/d4d89brLHVbJzySHOTONmuEdnkA;https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiritualeventsla.com%2FOrange_County.html

* Sunday Celebration Services
* Exercising Your Sixth Sense
* My Body, My Life

Follow us for daily updates on Twitter:
http://www.facebook.com/l/d4d89YxrXGdW4WQ3hSQy3Hm6r5Q;www.Twitter.com/SpiritEventsLA

Soundtrack To Sundays @ The Bank, Nov 28

Happy Holidays in Vegas! Please take a moment to allow yourself to check the exciting upcoming local event line up for The Bank Sunday nights at "Bellagio" and Haze Thursday nights at "Aria Resort & Casino" for the period November 28-December 5th. Happy Parties!

Sunday, November 28th - Soundtrack to Sundays with DJ Karma (Bank Nightclub)
This Sunday, join The Bank resident DJ Karma as he mixes the hottest set on the strip! In celebration, the club will be giving away 100 Bank Nightclub custom headphones by Skull Candy to the first 100 locals who RSVP.

Thursday, December 2nd - Localites Awards. With Eva Simons and the EC Twins (Haze Nightclub)
The first Annual Localites Awards. For locals, by locals. Vote now at www.localites.tv/awards . Reception to take place at Gold Lounge from 10pm - midnight followed by a blowout after party at Haze, featuring a live performance by Eva Simons performing her hit Take Over Control, and a special guest DJ set by the EC Twins

Sunday, December 5th - THE TAHOE TAKEOVER (Bank Nightclub)
Its about to get competitive! The local who rallies the largest entourage to accompany them to The Bank Sunday, December 5th wins an all expense paid party trip for them and 30 (yes 30) of their closest friends to beautiful Lake Tahoe. This includes transportation to and from the Tahoe, a full day of skiing, and two nights hotel accomodations. To register visit www.lightgroup.com/tahoetakeover

Upcoming

Sunday, December 12th - GoGoGo Sexy Santa Dance off with The Spearmint Rhino Holiday Party (Bank Nightclub)

Thursday, December 16th - The 5th Annual Socialite Holiday party (Haze Nightclub)

Sunday, December 19th - Spy On Vegas, Year in Review, with Jake Saady's birthday party (Bank Nightclub)

The Light Group
Ph: 702.693.8300│702.693.8310 │702.340.7533 cell
6276 S. Rainbow Ste. 120
Las Vegas, NV 89118
http://www.lightgroup.com

Deodato's new CD comes out today in Europe

Eumir Deodato's first studio album as a leader in 21 years, "The Crossing" is coming out today in Europe, manufactured & marketed by the London-based label Expansion Records, under license from Soul Trade, and distributed in the UK by Essential Music. For now, there's no domestic release planned for the US market.
This new project, Deodato's first CD since "Somewhere Out There" for the Atlantic label in 1989, was produced by the Italian group Novecento, and recorded, mixed & mastered at their Nicolosi Studio in Milan.

Among the special guests are the brilliant singer Al Jarreau (who appears on the first video, "Double Face," an up-tempo urban/dance song for which the virtuoso vocalist wrote the lyrics), three former collaborators who recorded on Deodato's groundbreaking "Prelude" LP for CTI - Airto Moreira, John Tropea, Billy Cobham - and the Londonbeat group.

This new album from the Brazilian Jazz Funk maestro features Al Jarreau on two tracks – the flowing "Double Face", and the smooth jazzy-soul of "I Want You More," that also features Novecento and includes Deodato's best Fender Rhodes solo on the date. "The Crossing" is a funkier affair (with the horn section using an excerpt from Deodato's acid-jazz hit "Skyscrapers" as a riff), whilst "Night Passage" is a mellow instrumental. Novecento returns for the strong dancer "Rule My World".

All tracks were co-written & co-arranged by Deodato & the Nicolosi family specially for the project, except "Summerime," the famous Gershwin standard done in a nice CTI-like arrangement (scored by Deodato alone) with lush strings, and both Deodato and Tropea soloing in their unmistakable groovy styles.

Credits:
Eumir Deodato: Fender Rhodes electric piano & synths
Al Jarreau & Dora Nicolosi: lead vocals
Londonbeat (Jimmy Helms, Jimmy Chambers & W. Upshaw): vocals
Rossana Nicolosi: bass
John Tropea & Lino Nicolosi: guitars
Billy Cobham, Paco Sery & Mimmo Campanale: drums
Pino Nicolosi: keyboards
Airto Moreira & Marco Fadda: percussion
Leonardo Govin: trombone
Gianni Virone: tenor saxophone
Janier Isusi: trumpet
Chris Walker, J. Patrick Lundquist, Joe Turano: backing vocals
Giorgio Molteni, Fabio Nico, Livio Troiano, Federica Tarsitano: violins
Lorenzo Ravazzani: viola
Estela De Castro: cello

For additional info, complete tracklist and comments in Japanese, please check:
http://jazzstation-oblogdearnaldodesouteiros.blogspot.com/2010/09/deodatos-forthcoming-studio-album.html

CTI All Stars' "Montreux 2009" to be featured in Japan's top jazz radio show

The recently released "Montreux Jazz Festival 2009" CD, by the CTI All-Star Jazz Band, will be featured in Takao Ogawa's upcoming radio shows this weekend at InterFM - 76.1 MhHz.
http://www.interfm.co.jp/jazz/index.php?mode=sun

JAZZ CONVERSATION – 76.1 InterFM » 2010 » 11月 » 27
さて最後はサワリ程度のプレイになってしまいますが2009年にモントルー・ジャズ・ フェスティバルにて復活したCTIオールスターバンドのライブ演奏を。果たして本当のCTI オールスターと呼べるかどうかはさておいて、ジェイミー・カラムらを起用したCreed Taylor

Friday, November 26, 2010

Sony Holland @ Left Coast Wine Bar, tonite!

Sony Holland will be performing tonight @ Left Coast Wine Bar (117 E. Harvard, Glendale, CA - ph: 818.507.7011) from 8pm till midnight. Don't miss!

CTI reissues released in Asia by Sony

Despite the fact that King Records owns the rights for the release, in Japan, of the CTI catalog from the period 1970-1983, the six CTI CDs recently reissued here in the USA (last October) by Sony Masterworks are now being released this November in Asia, distributed by Sony Music Taiwan with new liner notes and supported by a heavy promotional campaign.
Freddie Hubbard: "Red Clay"
CTI唱片40周年紀念復刻盤系列
使用原始兩軌類比錄製,捕捉經典原聲
專輯全新中文側標、精闢解說
絕版已久,經典名盤重現市場
薄紙盒包裝,設計原始封面重現

從出道以來,傳奇小號手佛瑞迪.哈柏(Freddie Hubbard)的演奏,一向是氣勢驚人,磅礡有力,然而在這張由CTI的老闆Creed Taylor擔任製作人的專輯裡,赫柏德的凌人氣勢,從標題曲〈Red Clay〉開始,就水乳交融地統合在節奏組濃烈的放克色彩之中,顯得如此協調,恰到好處,也難怪,從1970錄製這張專輯之後,幾十年的時間裡,哈柏多次宣稱〈Red Clay〉是他個人最鍾愛的曲子。

唱片的傑出音樂表現,要感謝專輯裡的全明星陣容:鍵盤賀比.漢考克、薩克斯風喬.韓德森、貝斯手朗.卡特,鼓手藍尼.懷特,特別是當時才20歲的懷特(才剛剛結束在邁爾士戴維斯樂團的《Bitches Brew》專輯錄音),展現出遠超越年齡歷練的成熟老辣,開放式的節奏空間,讓幾位老大哥都能夠盡興揮灑,但是同時又提供了穩定的節奏基調,讓整張專輯的律動活力大增。儘管赫柏德身為前輩,又是專輯的主角,他卻能夠授權讓節奏組的懷特、漢考克、卡特三人放手處理節奏部分的結構,這樣的無私合作,也讓音樂呈現出有機的良性互動,大大豐富了專輯的色彩層次。

〈Cold Turkey〉是另一首有趣的曲子,戲劇性的喧鬧開場之後,是整個樂團協同一致的緊密樂句推展,鼓、貝斯和電鋼琴提供了強大的節奏張力,哈柏高亢的小號演奏,在其間顯得悠遊自在。
Stanley Turrentine: "Sugar"
精擅節奏律動,音色情感豐富的爵士薩克斯風手史坦利.杜倫亭,毫無疑問屬於名人堂等級的大師,然而,他真正高明的特質不是這麼容易被聽眾察覺的:杜倫亭是個”平衡”的音樂人,這麼說吧,絕大多數標榜”雅俗共賞”的音樂,其實都俗得要命,但是杜倫亭就有辦法在悅耳的旋律聲線與音樂氛圍當中,吹奏出言之有物的即興樂句,讓人一方面感受到音樂的輕盈可喜,同時注意到他紮實的演奏功底和即興的狂放想像力,像個鋼索上的高明芭蕾舞者。

聽聽他在CTI唱片旗下的第一張專輯《甜蜜蜜》吧,杜倫亭帶領著吉他手喬治.班森、貝斯手朗.卡特等同樣擅長節奏變化的團員們,從標題曲開始,就用令人手舞足蹈的節奏變化緊緊抓住聽眾的注意力,在節奏組的律動支持下,薩克斯風、電鋼琴、吉他,展開一段又一段精彩的即興飆奏,在歡欣愉悅的表象之下,不動聲色的對抗交鋒與呼喊應答,山明水秀、暗潮洶湧。

杜倫亭在專輯中重新詮釋約翰.柯川的名曲〈Impressions〉是一大驚喜,對爵士樂迷來說相當熟悉的主題動機,透過特倫汀與團員洋溢濃郁靈魂樂色彩的演出,感覺像是柯川藏在主題樂句裡,隨時會出現跟杜倫亭一起跳起舞似的,非常特別的聆聽享受。Chet Baker: "She Was Too Good To Me"

知名的爵士樂製作人Creed Taylor之所以在1970年代創辦CTI唱片公司,最重要的目的之一,講偉大一點,就是要挽救面臨危急存亡關頭的爵士樂,在那個市場低迷的年代,給樂手們最好的資源,讓他們能夠無後顧之憂的持續演出創作。

從這一點來說,整個CTI公司的萬般辛苦,能夠有查特.貝克這一張《最難消受美人恩》專輯出現,也就值得了。爵士小號手查特.貝克,曾經在1950年代以他俊美的外型以及洋溢青春氣息的音樂表現,成為引領整個爵士風潮的巨星,然而因為聽眾口味的變遷,以及貝克自己耽溺於毒品酒精的放縱行徑,到了1960年代中期以降,貝克幾乎已經廢了,儘管還有零星的錄音作品,卻都多半是些庸俗的商業之作,當年那個銳氣十足的貝克,已消逝無蹤。

CTI唱片在1974年找到貝克,讓他和頂尖的陣容合作(薩克斯風手保羅戴斯蒙、長笛修柏洛、鍵盤鮑伯詹姆斯、鼓手狄強奈特、貝斯手朗卡特)錄製了《最難消受美人恩》,這張唱片可以視為貝克真正的復出之作,以《最難消受美人恩》為起點,貝克重建了市場和他自己的信心,再度回到頂尖演奏家的行列,儘管小號音色和演唱嗓音都沾染了些許的紅塵滄桑,但是貝克深情的歌聲在標題曲當中仍然令人聽得心中為之一酸。

貝克的演奏仍然精彩,可以聽聽在〈Tangerine〉曲中,他和薩克斯風手戴斯蒙、鍵盤手詹姆斯充滿敘事性的交替即興,像是接力說故事一般,將主題樂句完美地推演延伸,像是帶領著聽眾走過一段風景優美的步道。或者聽聽標準曲〈Autumn Leaves〉當中,貝克依然明亮清澈的小號演出,搭配修柏洛穿針引線的長笛,恍惚間,似乎回到了1950年代的美國西岸,面對著那個青春無敵的燦爛貝克 Hubert Laws: "Morning Star"
感謝CTI唱片四十週年的紀念慶典,爵士長笛家修格.洛斯消失已久的經典專輯《晨星》,終於贏得數位發行的機會,重新再版CD!

長笛是爵士樂的非主流樂器,在少數的爵士樂長笛手當中,修柏洛絕對是數一數二的佼佼者,優美柔和的音色,流暢的即興以及節奏掌握,在他的音樂生涯中,一直都廣受稱道。

這張專輯裡,第一首就是標題曲〈Morning Star〉,鍵盤手鮑伯詹姆斯低調的電鋼琴,恰到好處地襯托了修格.洛斯的長笛演奏,團員之間的互動,乃至於和伴奏的弦樂團之間的轟然齊奏,都有相當良好的效果。在民謠風的〈Let Her Go〉曲中,洛斯展現出人所難及的美麗音色,在純樸的旋律線中,營造出質樸單純的美感。經典歌曲〈Amazing Grace〉當中,洛斯從獨奏的無瑕音色表現,到與整個弦樂團對話呼應的炫技即興,表現出極其高明的演奏技巧。

《晨星》這張專輯,不但代表著修格.洛斯音樂生涯中的顛峰成就,同時也象徵著CTI唱片所呈獻的錄音美學:讓頂尖的爵士樂手在強大的伴奏樂手陪襯下,盡情地表現個人的音樂特質,同時在悅耳動聽與言之有物之間,尋找一個最完美的平衡。一如《晨星》所帶給我們的美好聆聽經驗。
Kenny Burrell: "God Bless The Child"

曾經跟百樂門爵士大樂團一起來過台灣演出的吉他手肯尼.布瑞爾,他的音樂經常給人一種沈穩雋永的感覺,像個吟遊詩人似的,不管是在華麗的學術殿堂,還是在喧囂的鬧市街角,他手上吉他譜出的詩篇,總是那麼興味盎然,令人玩味再三。

布瑞爾在CTI唱片唯一一張擔綱錄製的專輯《God Bless The Child》,正顯示出他強大的演奏能力,第二軌的〈Love Is The Answer〉,從一開始,布瑞爾就以他的電吉他和整個樂團對話,華麗的弦樂編曲,俏皮跳躍的打擊樂器,時隱時現的鍵盤突襲,似乎都只是襯托的配角,布瑞爾流暢的吉他即興,帶著豐富的敘事性,像個說書人一般,帶領著樂團和聽眾,不自覺地進入他引人入勝的音樂故事之中。

〈A Child Is Born〉是爵士作曲家塞德瓊斯的經典作品,布瑞爾舒緩悠遠的旋律表現方式,帶來極為平靜祥和的感受。專輯中大量柔和豐美的弦樂運用,暗示著製作人試圖讓所有人都能夠毫無障礙地欣賞這張唱片的行銷企圖,但是布瑞爾的吉他一出現,總是能夠完全主導音樂的品味,讓聽眾一直跟隨著他的即興旋律,流連徘徊,忘乎所以。Antonio Carlos Jobim: "Stone Flower"

巴西20世紀最偉大的作曲家,巴沙諾瓦風格的開山祖師,經典名曲〈Desafinado〉、〈Girl From Ipanema〉的作曲者安東.卡洛.裘賓,音樂生涯中最精彩的表現,幾乎都跟製作人 Creed Taylor脫不了關係,也因此,裘賓在Taylor的CTI唱片旗下錄製的《石花》,同樣凝聚了裘賓的個人風格與創作野心。

從第一曲〈Tereza, My Love〉這首獻給妻子的情歌開始,輕柔的巴沙諾瓦吉他,加上裘賓自己的鋼琴演奏,配合著精緻巧妙的弦樂伴奏,奠定了整張唱片層次豐富,色彩斑爛的特質。

〈God And The Devil In The Land Of Sun〉則是氣勢磅礡的野心之作,也許一如標題所暗示的詭異情境,從一開始的齊奏,打擊樂器和貝斯、弦樂就聯手製造出懸疑緊張的氣氛,讓薩克斯風手喬法瑞勒可以爆發出魄力十足的精彩即興,然而在搭檔樂手的熱烈演出之中,裘賓仍然完美地掌握著音樂的層次,即興與旋律主題之間的交替,鋪陳得既合邏輯又充滿想像力。

〈Brazil〉是專輯中唯一不是由裘賓創作的曲子,然而這首歌卻是演奏得非常有品味,俏皮而不失格調,充滿了巴西的音樂節奏元素,卻同時具備了清新的現代感,裘賓低沈迷人的歌聲,在這首曲子當中也表現得恰到好處。

或許因為CTI是個小成本的獨立廠牌,行銷能量無法和主流唱片公司相比,以致於《石花》專輯雖然是裘賓本人親口承認的最高傑作之一,40年來卻是罕為人知,藉著CTI40週年慶,能夠重新欣賞這一張幾乎要被人遺忘的經典,還是相當令人慶幸的。

EP of the Day - "Everything But The Girl: Corcovado"

12" EP of the Day
Everything But The Girl: "Corcovado - Remixes"

Side A
1. "Corcoado" (Knee Deep classic dub - Ben Watt vocal re-edit)
2. "Corcoado" (Knee Deep dub)
Side B
1. "Corcoado" (Marky & XRS remix)
2. "Corcoado" (Marky & XRS dub)

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Listen to Herbie Hancock performing @ WXPN studios with Marcus Miller, Vinnie Colaiuta etc

Hear Herbie Hancock on WXPN's World Café with Marcus Miller, Greg Phillinganes, Vinnie Colauita, Lionel Loueke and Kristina Train!!!

The legendary jazz pianist has produced chart-topping and award-winning albums throughout his career. Hear songs from his new ambitious album performed live in the WXPN studios of Philadelphia. Setlist: "Imagine," "Tamatant Tilay/Exodus" and "Space Captain."

Hancock joined host David Dye in a special Thanksgiving edition of World Cafe.
To listen the complete program (50 minutes), please click:
http://www.npr.org/2010/11/23/131542484/herbie-hancock-on-world-cafe

Based in Philadelphia, WXPN takes listeners on a journey of music discovery through new and heritage rock, blues, roots, and folk artists. WXPN also produces NPR's World Cafe.
*******
No other words describe Herbie Hancock better than "living legend." The classically trained pianist first came into the spotlight when he began playing for Miles Davis in the 1960s. Since then, Hancock fronted the '70s jazz-funk movement with The Headhunters, became one of the first to incorporate hip-hop elements with jazz in the '80s and '90s, and won 12 Grammys and several other awards along the way.

Herbie Hancock's latest album, The Imagine Project, is an ambitious combination of film and music, full of artists from around the world collaborating on a number of well-known covers. Choice selections include the title track, "Imagine" (featuring Seal, India.Arie, Jeff Beck, Konono N°1 and Oumou Sangare) and the Bob Dylan classic "The Times, They Are A-Changin'" (featuring the Chieftains, Toumani Diabate, Lionel Loueke and Lisa Hannigan).

Obama: "Thankful"

"Dear Arnaldo --

According to our records, you are currently registered in California's 3oth Congressional District. When Michelle and I sit down with our family to give thanks today, I want you to know that we'll be especially grateful for folks like you.

Everything we have been able to accomplish in the last two years was possible because you have been willing to work for it and organize for it.

And every time we face a setback, or when progress doesn't happen as quickly as we would like, we know that you'll be right there with us, ready to fight another day.

So I want to thank you -- for everything.

I also hope you'll join me in taking a moment to remember that the freedoms and security we enjoy as Americans are protected by the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces. These patriots are willing to lay down their lives in our defense, and each of us owes them and their families a debt of gratitude.

Have a wonderful day, and God bless.

Barack"

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Anna Mjoll back @ Vibrato, Nov. 27, for some Groovin' Thanksgiving Weekend Jazz!

Anna Mjoll @ Vibrato
Saturday, Nov 27, 9pm-11pm
2930 Beverly Glen Circle
Bel Air, CA

Come hang with all the other cool sunshine people of California for a Groovin' Thanksgiving Jazz Night with Anna Mjöll @ Herb Alpert's Vibrato! This Saturday, November 27th, at 9pm. Then you'll understand why we at Jazz Station have voted her one of the Top 5 singers in the current jazz scene.

ALMOST SOLD OUT - AGAIN!!!
Anna Mjoll and the Pat Senatore Trio, led by the great bassist who is Vibrato's artistic director.
2930 Beverly Glen Circle
Bel Air, CA, 90077

NO COVER! But call 310.474.9400 for Reservations.
http://www.vibratogrilljazz.com/index.php

ANNA MJÖLL (vocals) with the PAT SENATORE TRIO !!
ANNA MJÖLL / vocals
PAT SENATORE / bass
BOB LEATHERBARROW / drums
ED CZACH / piano

After acclaimed apperances in such jazz clubs as Vitello's, Charlie O's and Baked Potato, LA-based Icelandic jazz princess Anna Mjoll returns to Vibrato. "As far as repertoire goes...everything from Invitation to Desafinado to 500 Miles High to Round Midnight to One Note Samba to How High The Moon, All of Me, Perdido, Blue Skies, Lover Man, Old Black Magic, Cry Me A River, Misty, Summertime, How Insensitive, plus an original I wrote with trumpeter Lew Soloff," says Anna, one of the Top 5 Jazz Singers of 2009 in the 31st Annual Jazz Station Poll, thanks to her fascinating debut solo CD, "Shadow of Your Smile," which features Vinnie Colaiuta, John Robinson, Dave Carpenter, Don Grusin and Luis Conte.

She has a new album coming out soon, "Christmas Jazzmaz," which includes such Christmas favorites as "Jingle Bells," "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "Sleigh Ride," "Winter Wonderland" and Mel Tormé's "The Christmas Song."

"Do yourself a favor and catch her now, at an intimate small club, before she breaks out into larger venues."
-Charles Andrews, Music Forums Moderator, HomeTheaterSpot.com

"Icelandic jazz vocalist Anna Mjöll has developed a considerable buzz in L.A. selling out two nights of recent weekend shows at Vibrato."
-Tom Meek, LA Jazz.com

To read the review about Anna's debut solo album:
http://jazzstation-oblogdearnaldodesouteiros.blogspot.com/2009/12/vocal-cd-of-month-anna-mjoll-shadow-of.html

Pics from Anna's previous gig @ Vibrato last month:

CD of the Day - "Clare Fischer: Só Danço Samba"

CD of the Day
Clare Fischer: "Só Danço Samba" (World Pacific) 1964/2010

Reissued in Japan as part of the "EMI Music Japan 50th Anniversary" series, this session produced by Richard Bock at World-Pacific Studios in Hollywood, California, features jazz arranger Clare Fischer (acoustic piano & organ) leading a quartet with Bob West (acoustic bass), Colin Bailey (drums) & Dennis Budimir (acoustic guitar).
The program includes seven of Jobim's bossa nova anthems -- like "Desafinado," "One Note Samba," "Quiet Nights" and "Girl from Ipanema" -- plus three bossas written by Fischer himself: "Pensativa" (the first tune by a non-Brazilian composer that became a bossa standard), "Carnaval" (aka "João," in tribute to João Gilberto) and "Ornithardy."
The CD issue reproduces the original cover art, including John William Hardy's liner notes.
Top quality remastering.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Your thoughts, in the President's hands

Dear Arnaldo:

According to our records, you are registered in California's 30th Congressional District. In the six months leading up to Election Day, supporters like you reached out to more than 80 million voters on phone lines and doorsteps across the country -- making the difference in dozens of key races.

And -- one conversation at a time -- the commitments to vote that you secured helped grow this movement. That kind of work transcends the results of a single election. Thank you.

Organizing for America started with you -- your voices, your ideas, and your feet on the ground.

And from the beginning, your vision for the future has propelled our work to move this country forward. From historic health insurance reform to the strongest consumer protections ever put in place, we have begun to make the change we envisioned a reality.

But we still have so much left to accomplish together. That's why now, with November's elections behind us and a new year on the horizon, we're planning our next steps. We can't do that without hearing from the people who brought us here -- supporters like you.

We've put together a short survey to make sure we capture everyone's ideas. In the coming weeks, we'll report back with the results -- and they'll go straight into the President's hands, hand-delivered by OFA volunteers in early December.

Please take a minute to take this survey and share your thoughts about the future of this movement.

We've always known that big change doesn't begin with a top-down mandate -- it begins at the grassroots.

It begins with the kind of ideas that inspire us all to get out and do the real work of organizing -- knocking on doors, making calls, and pitching in what we can to build support in our communities.

Your voice built and sustained this movement. And now, your voice will keep it moving forward.

Please take our short survey now and share your ideas. We'll make sure the President sees what you have to say:
http://my.barackobama.com/YourThoughts

Together, we'll keep making lasting change that matters.

Thanks,
Mitch Stewart
Director - "Organizing for America"
A project of the Democratic National Committee
430 South Capitol Street
SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

CD of the Day - "Laurindo Almeida: Viva Bossa Nova!"

CD of the Day
Laurindo Almeida: "Viva Bossa Nova!" (Capitol) 1962/2010

Brazilian guitar ace Laurindo Almeida leads a studio group called The Bossa Nova All Stars on this date produced by Dave Cavanaugh & Bill Miller, and recorded in Los Angeles, back in December 1962, for the Capitol label.
It's being reissued now in Asia, in a series that celebrates the 50th Anniversary of EMI Music Japan, Inc. The CD cover reproduces the original LP sleeve, with many pics of the musicians and the liner notes by Anthony Corbett.
The repertoire includes only two Brazilian songs, "One Note Samba" and "Desafinado," both co-written by Antonio Carlos Jobim & Newton Mendonça. All others are pop and jazz tunes (by people like Henry Mancini, Billy May and Nelson Riddle) done in latin-tinged arrangements.
Besides his magnificent work on acoustic guitar, Laurindo is heard playing cavaquinho (mispelled "cavaquinha" on the back cover, but presented as "a Brazilian instrument similar to a ukelele" on the credits) in some songs. Among them, Sidney Bechet's "Petite Fleur!"
Another surprise is the presence of jazz pianist Jimmy Rowles playing "electronic organ" exclusively, in a style very similar to Djalma Ferreira's approach to this instrument, with no influence of Jimmy Smith or any other Hammond jazz virtuoso.
The stellar cast also includes drummer Shelly Manne, Howard Roberts and Al Viola alternating on rhythm guitar, Bob Cooper on tenor sax, Justin Gordon showcasing a gorgeous sound on flute, plus Don Fagerquist (trumpet), Max Bennett (bass), and percussionists Milt Holland & Chico Guerrero, pictured playing cabasa and pandeiro, respectively. Nice and mellow.

Monday, November 22, 2010

DVD of the Week - "The Rolling Stones: Stones In Exile"

DVD of the Week
The Rolling Stones: "Stones in Exile" (Eagle Vision/ST2) 2010

Directed by Stephen Kijak
145 minutes - Region 0 - Widescreen - Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo - English
Subtitles - English, French, Spanish
Bonus Material: "Extended interviews," Return to Stargroves and Olympic Studios" and "Exile fans"

The story behind the making of the Stones' masterpiece "Exile on Main Street" is told in their own words through new interviews with the band and extensive footage and photographs from the time of the recording. The DVD features over an hour of additional bonus footage not included in the TV broadcast version.
The recording sessions that produced The Rolling Stones' "Exile on Main Street" have become mythic in rock history. This documentary, made to coincide with the 40th anniversary remaster of that double-album (reissued last May as an enhanced 2-CD set produced by Don Was, Jimmy Miller & The Glimmer Twins), features new interviews with the band members alongside archival footage that attempts to demystify the sordid tales of sex and drugs that have surrounded this beloved album since its initial release.

Still inspired by their "Sticky Fingers" recording sessions in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, "Exile on Main Street" found the Rolling Stones sounding more like a Southern fried juke-joint band than ever before. That "Exile..." was recorded in a basement is no surprise, either--much of it sounds as if it was recorded live at a gospel revival, with a final mix that gives no hierarchy to specific instruments. The result is a swampy, most exhilarating chunk of rock & roll euphoria.

"Exile" sharpens the country, blues, and gospel tendencies the Stones began exploring in the late '60s on albums like "Beggar's Banquet." Here, armed with an assortment of backing musicians and vocalists, the band virtually inhabits the spirit of each style, distilling the whole to a ragged, soulful perfection. From the escalating, horn-driven vamps of "Rocks Off" through the back porch singalong "Sweet Virginia" to the mean blues stomp of "Ventilator Blues" and the church-like strains of "Shine a Light," Exile's double-album length plays like a weary, boozed-up sermon on the very meaning of rock music. This is the closest the band ever came to religion, and it still has the power to convert.

Collective Personnel: Keith Richards (vocals, guitar); Mick Jagger (vocals, percussion); Mick Taylor (guitar); Bobby Keys (saxophone); Jim Price (trumpet, trombone); Nicky Hopkins (piano); Charlie Watts (drums).
Audio Mixer: Bob Clearmountain.

Recording information: Henson, Los Angeles, CA; Mix This!, Los Angeles, CA; Nellcote, Los Angeles, CA; Olympic, Los Angeles, CA; One East Studio, NY; Stargroves, Los Angeles, CA; Village, Los Angeles, CA.
Editor: Krish Sharma.

In the album -
The Rolling Stones: Mick Jagger (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Keith Richards (vocals, guitar, piano, bass); Mick Taylor (guitar, bass); Bill Wyman (bass); Charlie Watts (drums).
Additional personnel: Al Perkins (steel guitar); Bobby Keys (saxophone, percussion); Jim Price (trumpet, trombone, organ); Ian Stewart, Nicky Hopkins (piano); Billy Preston (keyboards); Amyl Nitrate (marimba); Bill Plummer (acoustic & electric basses); Jimmy Miller (drums, percussion); Clydie King, Vanetta, Jerry Kirkland, Tammi Lynn, Shirley Goodman, Joe Green, Kathi McDonald (background vocals).

CD of the Week - "Christian Weidner: The Inward Song

CD of the Week
Christian Weidner: "The Inward Song" (Pirouet) 2010

Rating: ****
Produced & Engineered by Jason Seizer
All songs composed by Christian Weidner
Recorded (July 2010) & Mixed (September 2010) at Pirouet Studio, Munich, Germany
Featuring: Christian Weidner (alto saxophone), Colin Vallon (acoustic piano), Henning Sieverts (acoustic bass) & Samuel Rohrer (drums)

Christian Weidner's CD "The Inward Song" is a unique, clearly thought-out artistic statement. The music impresses with its high sense of style and subtle feeling for aesthetic clarity. It stands on its own - radiating an enormous inner strength. The eleven pieces on this CD -- all comppsed by the leader -- are unpredictable, completely organic and swingingly logical. An enthralling atmospheric unity develops, a strong slipstream of sequential moods and sensations - for the listener, an exciting journey of discovery.

Born in 1976 in Kassel, Germany, and currently living in Berlin, Christian Weidner comes from a musical family. After several years of piano lessons, Weidner changed to alto saxophone and at 16 took his place in the Hessian State Youth Orchestra, and at 17 in the German National Youth Jazz Orchestra (BuJazzO). He also began taking lessons from the well-known American saxophonist John Ruocco. Weidner began working with Gunter Hampel at the age of 18 and continued for the next eight years until 2002. In 1996 he received first prize at the "Jugend jazzt" with the jazz quintet Naima which he led from 1993 until 1998.

Weidner began his musical studies at the College for Music and Theatre in Hamburg and then continued as an Erasmus exchange student at the Royal Music School in Stockholm, Sweden. Weidner ended his studies in 2002 at the Hanns Eisler Conservatory for Music in Berlin. In addition, Christian Weidner designates his collaboration with Simon Stockhausen, John Schröder and Antonio Palesano as especially formative.

In 1999 he travelled to New York to record a CD with Gunter Hampel and Nils Wogram and to study with Kenny Werner. Weidner played with the German-French Jazz ensemble from 2001 to 2004, and had the opportunity to work with Albert Mangelsdorff. In 2009 Weidner formed his new quartet under his own name with Colin Vallon, Henning Sieverts and Samuel Roher.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

"Tangorine" - CTI prepares the reissue of "Rhythmstick" on DVD

CTI's founder Creed Taylor is preparing the DVD reissue of the super big-budget all-star project "Rhythmstick," originally filmed in High Definition at Van Gelder Studio, back in 1989, during the heyday of the LaserDisc format. Retitled "Tangorine" (with the sub-title "Kings of Afro-Cuban Brazilian Jazz"), and featuring the names & pics of Dizzy Gillespie & Tito Puente in the new front cover art, it will be available with a new Rudy Van Gelder mix for 5.1 DTS Surround Sound.
This fabulous all-star session was released on LaserDisc in both Japan (by Pioneer) and USA (by A-Vision, the video division of Atlantic Records which also issued it on VHS). The original CD came out as an independent CTI release, but soon later it was re-printed for distribution through PolyGram in 1990. A limited LP issue, including only 9 tracks, was also manufactured by Europadisk, Ltd. using the Teldec technology of DMM (Direct Metal Mastering).

"Rhythmstick" was filmed utilizing three Sony High Definition cameras, becoming the first HD LaserDisc in jazz history. The audio signals were recorded on 24-track Sony digital equipment, and mixed to a 2-track master which has remained in the digital format through all the transfers to the final audio mix. That was the first CTI project recorded on multi-track digital equipment, as well as the first multi-track digital session recorded by Rudy Van Gelder, who, prior to "Rhythmstick," had done several digital sessions recorded directly to a 2-track machine. Curiously, five years earlier, in January 1984, Creed and Van Gelder had collaborated on the first CTI digital session ever, Claudio Roditi's "Red on Red," recorded live at Rudy's with a 2-track Mitsubishi equipment.

Featured artists on "Rhythmstick": Dizzy Gillespie, Art Farmer, Bob Berg, Tito Puente, Hilton Ruiz, Jimmy McGriff (all have passed away by now, very unfortunately) plus Phil Woods, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Charlie Haden, Anthony Jackson, Bernard Purdie, Marvin "Smitty" Smith, John Scofield, Romero Lubambo and arranger/co-producer Benny Golson. Some overdubs were added by Jim Beard, Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis, Amy Roslyn, Janice Pendarvis and Diana Moreira.

A 2-LP set reissue, on special 180g vinyl manufactured by Membran and packaged with a different cover art, came out in 2009 in Europe.

For additional info:
http://jazzstation-oblogdearnaldodesouteiros.blogspot.com/2007/10/blog-post.html

Original LaserDisc Japanese cover:

For more details, please check:
http://jazzstation-oblogdearnaldodesouteiros.blogspot.com/2009/12/vinyl-of-day-rhythmstick.html

*1990年にプロデューサーのクリス・テイラーによるCTIオールスターズで録音リリースされたアルバム「RHYTHMSTICK/リズムスティック」!!メンバーは,大御所ディジー・ガレスピー/DIZZY GILLESPIE(tp),アート・ファーマー/ART FARMER(tp),フィル・ウッズ/PHIL WOODS(as),ボブ・バーグ/BOB BERG(ts,ss),アイアート/アイアート・モレイア/AIRTO(per),バーナード・パーディ/BERNARD PURDIE(ds),マーヴィン”スミティ”スミス/MARVIN"SMITTY"SMITH(ds),ジョン・スコフィールド/JOHN SCOFIELD(g),ホメロ・ルバンボ/ROMERO LUBAMBO(g),ロベン・フォード/ROBBEN FORD(g),チャーリー・ヘイデン/CHARLIE HADEN(b),アンソニー・ジャクソン/ANTHONY JACKSON(b),ヒルトン・ルイス/HILTON RUIZ(p),ジミー・マグリフ/JIMMY McGRIFF(org),ランディ・ブレッカー/RANDY BRECKER(tp),ジョン・ファディス/JON FADDIS(tp),ジム・ベアード/JIM BEARD(key),ベニー・ゴルソン/BENNY GOLSON(arr,synth bass),フローラ・プリム/FLORA PURIM(vo)と新旧ベテラン・ミュージシャンが集結!

Original Vinyl issue (1990):

Original U.S. VHS issue: 2-LP set reissued in 2009: