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Chantale Gagné Trio - Silent Strenght August 14, 2008Rather discreet on the Montréal jazz scene, québécois pianist Chantale Gagné shares her time in between New York & Montréal. Sidewoman and composer, Chantale Gagné presents her first CD in trio. With Peter Washington on bass & Lewis Nash on percussions, Chantale Gagné can boast about being well accompanied. On ten compositions, Chantale wrote seven, as well as taking on Monk & Bill Evans compositions with brio. Kenny Barron introduces her on the CD's linear notes, with whom Chantale takes classes, Silent Strenght is a good first try for the pianist. Her playing might lack a bit of personality, but with time she'll stand out from her mentors and do her own thing. Check it out on her official website. Keep your eyes and ears on her...she's going somewhere ! chantalegagne.com |
Freddie Hubbard & The New Jazz Composers Octet - On The Real Side July 31, 2008Even after all the negative comments Miles Davis made about him, trumpet player Freddie Hubbard remains a model. Mixing rhythm and harmonic discoveries, the icon of hard-bop jazz is the last of a trilogy that was Lee Morgan, Woody Shaw & the man himself ! Althought tackled by lips problems, the 70 year-old Freddie still holds his ground, even if he's lost a bit of his ability to surprise us. Surrounded by hot new players like David Weiss, trumpet, Jimmy Green, tenor/soprano sax, Xavier Davis, piano, Freddie who chooses to play the flugelhorn, will rekindle passions and some debating. On The Real Side is the portait of a man who just doesn't give up. |
Alain Caron - Conversations July 10, 2008Alain Caron's latest CD is defined by it's sobriety and moderation. A far cry from ex-band UZEB's style of jazz-fusion that the bass player got us used to, so this intimist project is a good surprise. Conversations with the piano, bass & vibraphone, playing in a dialogue mode and not a confrontation. The melodies are soft, the ambiance intimate. Remarquably well self-produced, Conversations gathers a impressive turnout of local musicians such Lorraine Desmarais, Oliver Jones et François Bourassa. Listen to clips from Conversations on Alain Caron's website : |
Vic Vogel and the Jazz Big Band - Jim & Andy's June 19, 2008Sometimes you have to believe in miracles. In 1984, our famous Montreal band leader is playing in New York with his happy bunch and god knows how, a small record company tapes the event. Some great musicians are on the recording such as great tenor sax Zoot Sims and Philippe Dubois also known as...Phil Woods. Without being nostalgic, the level of this kind of playing doesn't come around much anymore : a ton of firepower, joie de vivre, a big band revving up like a Formula 1 engine and, as always, Vic Vogel is on top of it. A great find that never made it across the border. |
Madeleine Thériault Wray Downes - Eclipse June 5, 2008Singing teacher for fifteen years at Concordia University & founder of the McGill University female jazz choir, Madeleine Thériault finally dives in with her new CD Eclipse. Under the influence of the great Charles Mingus, Eclipse being the title track, Madeleine gives us consistent results and shows us her influences. Accompanied by heavy hitters Wray Downes on piano, Brian Hurley on bass, Frank Lozano at the sax, Michel Lambert on drums & Marc Villemure on guitar, she revisits ; Sister Sadie (Horace Silver), Little Niles (Randy Weston) and the Billy Strayhorn classic Lush Life. He christal clear voice influenced by the great John Hendricks, Eclipse is a nice surprise that avoids the pitfalls of academicism. |
Eric Khayat - Revoluciòn May 22, 2008At first glance the dark CD cover and pompous title of Revoluciòn is a turn-off but that changes a second time around. Composed mostly in Cuba, it presents itself as jazzy travel diary, a soundtrack with souvenirs, landscape, and the faint smell of cigars as a backdrop. Saxophonist, composer, musical director, Eric Khayat's career is witness to his taste for various musical styles and that he likes challenges. Eric Khayat is not part of current "jazz" scene, he's rather a free thinker, roaming from blues to pop and R&B. His writing might not be grounbreaking, but his arrangements serve his music well. Eric Khayat plays this music which is not his, cuban jazz, with melancoly and joy. Listen to clips on Eric Khayat. For each CD purchase, $1 is given to Equiterre |
Simon Legault Quartet – Misrememberings May 8, 2008Winner of the 2007 Jazz en Rafale New Talent Contest, the Simon Legault Quartet gives us Misrememberings, a first CD with a lot of maturity. On the Effendi label, Misrememberings confirms the talent of a guitarist and composer that will certainly get noticed on the canadian jazz scene in the coming years. Simon Legault 's playing brings us back to the classic stylings of Jim Hall, and somewhat Pat Metheny in his first days. This guitarist has a sense of dialogue, giving the talented sax player Annie Dominique a lot of room in a quartet formation where both soloists combine their melodies with natural ease. The quartet's main strenght is it's osmosis. Misrememberings is an all-night listen. For a first try it's masterfull and we love it. Hear clips on the the Effendi Records website. |
Brad Mehldau Trio Live April 24, 2008Very prolific in the last few years, Brad Mehldau was not as present on the music scene since his collaboration with Pat Metheny on his last two albums. In a seemingly back-to-the-roots mode, Brad Mehldau Trio Live is in the footsteps of the Art of the Trio serie with ex-drummer Jorge Rossy. Jeff Ballard is a more versatile player, but his playing having a sound that is closer to that of the previous drummer, leads the trio to it's path but loses the creativity which was the strength of Day is Done, their first collaboration. Brad Mehldau's playing gets more complex to the point of self-parody, as if the pianist was stuck in his own schemes, still continuously creating melodies in a unorthodox fashion, and in short amazing us without much renewal. Lovers of the pianist will miss his sense of adventure but will reconnect with the authentic Brad Mehldau, a pianist that has contributed greatly to bringing a new sound to the piano-bass-drums trio. |
Andrée Boudreau - Trio Andrée Boudreau April 10, 2008Here's and album that's soft and subtle. Andrée Boudreau in trio spells harmony, complicity, but above all femininity and sensitivity. The mood is velvety smooth and the musicians blend rightinto Andrée's compositions. A trio without ego, playing nothing excessive, soft, uncut, music with intelligence by talented musicians who want to play together and that have mastered the dynamics of a trio, something not easily done. Self-produced, this album's artistic direction is flawless. Listen to samples of this album on Andrée Boudreau's website at andreeboudreau.com |
Bright Road - Min Rager March 27, 2008Bright Road is certainly not a new CD in the market (2006) but this album is worth a second listen. Min Rager is a very talented young korean pianist straight out of McGill with a very promising future. Having a great sense of melody, Min Rager knows how to seduct her public with an intense and enriched jazz. Min Rager has a strong attack, yet soft like velvet as well as a great technique. This album's compositions show the maturity of the pianist who's quite present in the Montréal jazz scene having played many times at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal as well as the OFF Festival de Jazz. Min Rager's first opus is a success, she doesn't overplay, which is great, and her styling is dynamic, strong & goes to the heart of the matter. To hear samples, go to ragermusic.com (whom she shares with husband Joshua Rager, also a pianist !) or on effendirecords.com. Min Rager: piano |
Frank Lozano Group - Colour Fields March 13, 2008Frank Lozano's track record is impressive. From Tito Puente to David Binney as well as Pat LaBarbera, Michel Donato and Oliver Jones, his numerous collaborations as sideman have led him to this first projet as leader. Back from New York where he spent a year in residence thanks to a Conseil des arts et lettres du Québec grant, Frank Lozano presents Colour Fields, that reminds us of a soundtrack in the making. Rugged jazz with dark colours, Frank Lozano doesn't try to seduce us, his music is uncut, always cerebral. A must, listen to Buciumeana in which Kim Ratcliffe trades in his guitar for a mandolin which leads us the country of Gustavo Santaollalla. Listen to samples on Frank Lozano or Effendi Records. by Éric Seguin |
Joel Miller - Tantramar February 21, 2008After a suprising Mandala in 2004, Joel Miller is back with Tantramar, an eclectic work of original compositions echoing various genres, such as folk, blues & electronic music. Joel Miller's music is inspired by many influences leading to a very personal and cohesive sound, quite different from the current local productions. Well supported by Kenny Bibace on guitar & Bill Mahar on trumpet but mostly by the one whose versatility makes it stick together, percussionnist Thom Gossage, Joel Miller takes us on a trip in his childhood New-Brunswick. Maybe a bit too many high notes but that's a matter of taste. by Éric Seguin |
Montréal Variations - Montréal Jazz Club Session 3 February 7, 2008What a great idea to unite 9 of our best pianists with their city as their main inspiration and the 4 notes that are "played" by the métro as their starting point. In a piano solo mode, Montréal Variations isn't totally «jazz» and Alain Lefèvre's presence is a sign that Analekta is aiming for a larger audience. The album's production is excellent, maybe over-refined sometimes lacking a bit of audacity. Nonetheless, the soft and subdued ambiances of Montréal Variation will give listening pleasure to the music lover. Here's and album you'll want to play on St-Valentines. |
E.S.T - Live in Hamburg January 24, 2008Recorded in November 2006 after their first opus Tuesday Wonderland, this live recording of this popular trio led by swedish pianist Esbjorn Svensson is a pearl. With this electrifying concert, Live in Hamburg confirms the maturity of a group that transcends the barriers in between jazz & rock by injecting post-rock sounds along the lines of Radiohead & Sigur Ròs. This pianist reminds us of Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett & Jan Johansson, another swedish pianist deceased at the young age of 38 in 1968. Magnus Ostrom's constant rhythm and the omnipresence of Dan Berglundet on bass give Esbjorn Svensson a creative space in which leads the pianist into intense solos. Many sound clips and videos are available on www.est-music.com. Until this soon-to-be-released in Québec double CD, you can order online directly from their label at : www.actmusic.com
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Insomnia - Matthieu Bélanger Quartet January 3, 2008Insomnia dives into a sleepless night full of surprises. Clarinetist Mathieu Bélanger takes us on a trip to a dreamy universe full of night moods. Mathieu Bélanger's playing is hypnotic, reminiscent of Mingus & Dolphy and equally modern. Claude Lavergne (drums) & Wayne Smith (bass) reply to Matthieu's solos, giving liberating performances on a cohesive album that will please jazz fans and newcomers. Andrée Boudreau on piano keeps it together with subtlety and discretion. |
Big City - Michel Morissette Quintet December 27, 2007Exceptional guitarist led by a great sense of rhythm and virtuosity, Michel Morissette give us an album in his own time, and that time beats really fast! Describing his music as comtemporary hard bop, Michel Morissette is electric. Having played many times at the Festival international de jazz de Montréal, Michel Morissette hasn't acquired the success he deserves. Surrounded by top musicians, he gives us a strong performance with brave solos. Can't wait to see this quintet playing live burn the place down ! Visit www.michelmorissette.ca on your way to the record store. |
Matt Herskowitz plays George Gershwin - Matt Herskowitz December 13, 2007Here's an album that might be in the classic as well as the jazz section of record stores. Pianist with a superb technique, Matt Herskowitz gives us a stunning version of the Gershwin repertoire to the point we forget he's playing solo, without orchestra. The inevitable Rhapsody in Blue sets the tone with brio, but it's his version of the Cuban Overture that gets our attention. Virtuoso and great arranger, Matt Herskowitz doesn't attempt to be compared to Erroll Garner, however the american pianist that makes Montréal his home takes on a challenge that commands respect. Matt Herskowitz will be in concert February 8 at the Maison de la Culture Mercier. For more information go to www.mattherskowitz.com. |
Sands of Time - Marianne Trudel December 6, 2007Marianne Trudel is a versatile pianist. After a first solo album (Espaces Libres) that drew attention, Marianne Trudel is back with a live album recorded at the Lion d'Or in the L'OFF Festival de Jazz 2006. Sands of Time is an inspired album presenting Marianne's various styles. Marianne switches from quintet to solo, from trio to quartet. Parcours, the 3rd piece of the album, is a true accomplishment with a solo by Rob Mosher on tenor sax that'll give you chills up your spine. The music of Sands of Time is full of liberty, with a contemporary sound that is keen to the pianist and composer who leads her group with brio on this completely self-produced album. Album excerpts are available on her official website at mariannetrudel.com. |
Pop Up - Jean-Christophe Béney November 29, 2007For his 4th album as group leader, saxophonist Jean-Christophe Béney treats us a pearl. Pop Up is the sum of 10 original compositions and high-profile band. Jean-Christophe's sax is incisive, the melodies pure yet the arrangements complex. Switching from the Rhodes to the acoustic piano, John Roney's playing is rich in harmonics, and nervous like drummer Greg Ritchie's playing, a sought-after drummer who travels and works in between New York and Montréal, and also heard playing with Christine Jensen, François Bourassa & Steve Amirault. André Dupuis on the percs bring an exotic touch to Pop Up, a CD with funky, pop and definitely jazz grooves. To hear samples, check out his website at jeanchristophebeney.com and please, accept Pop Up's! |
