Jazz & Blues > Jazz Instrument Jazz & Blues > Big Band > 20 GBP to 25 GBP

Advantages: Originality, great musicianship
Disadvantages: Not that memorable, stronger Basie albums elsewhere

...in concept at least. Count Basie never fails to provide the most fulfilling big band sound. With this album I can at least try to appreciate the music of a band that otherwise I would steer clear of. Personal favourites from this collection are 'Yesterday' - a high-tempo all-swinging affair with drum solos, trumpet choruses and the definitive subtlely of Basie's piano, and 'Eleanor Rigby' - again a fast pace is supported this time with a more 60s ...
...music (see my review on Basie on Bond) into his own big band style. But still I cannot help but feel that this album slightly disappoints - there just aren't enough strong tunes and melodies there for me. In fact 'Yesterday' is perhaps the only really memorable piece here. As I said, I cannot make a judgement on the behalf of Beatles fans - you will need to make up your own mind whether you want to listen to some of your favourite numbers reworked ... Read review

Advantages: Guitar work, vocals
Disadvantages: None

...and of course this one Bring Em In from 2005. **Bring Em In** Bring 'Em In features collaborations with various artists, the artists who feature are Carlos Santana (guitar), Tracy Chapman (vocals), John Mayer (guitar), Anthony Hamilton (vocals), Robert Randolph (pedal steel), and Keith Richards (guitar). The album features mostly covers of classic blues tracks but there is one Buddy Guy original which is the hugely impressive What Kind of woman ...
...penned by Buddy Guy on Bring 'Em In and In my opinion it is one of the best on the album, This melodic blues track moves along with guitar licks with such passion and vigour that you are transfixed by it all. Everything about this track is outstanding and needs to be heard. 4.) Somebody's been sleeping in my bed A track that gives goosebumps and shivers down the spine with the blues melody. The guitar work is superb and his vocals are strong and ... Read review

Advantages: Very, very different.
Disadvantages: None for me.

Polar Bear - Held on the tips of fingers The UK Jazz scene is thriving lately, especially the fusion jazz/acoustic/electronica/dance styles. This album released in 2005 has nine tracks only, but when you consider that most of them are five minutes long at least, that aint bad. Who are Polar Bear? Drummer Seb Rochford Tenor & Baritone Sax, Pete Wareham Tenor, Mark Lockheart Double Bass, Tom Herbert Leafcutter John (cool name), Mandolin and ...
...good stuff 9/10. 5. Held On The Tips Of Fingers. The title track. This has more of a feel of bebop influences, yet somehow it isn't, and again, expecting the unexpected it gets a little weird and experimental, in a good way. 7/10. 6. Argumentative. We start this track with a real bebop/swing feel and then it changes to become almost Coltrane 'esque in the sax playing or maybe even Albert Ayler, it certainly that end of the (Modal?)spectrum. Lots ... Read review

Advantages: Experimental jazz
Disadvantages: Might be too inaccessible for some

Sex Mob are a jazz quartet based in New York who made a name for themselves by presenting exciting live shows and pop song improvisations. The band is led by trumpeter Steven Bernstein and have performed as the house band for the Leonard Cohen tribute project featuring Nick Cave and Rufus Wainwright. In addition to Bernstein, Sex Mob features altoist Briggan Krauss, bassist Tony Scherr and drummer Kenny Wollesen. They offer their own personal brand ...
...and trumpet they have managed in the past to deconstruct songs by Abba, Cobain and Brubeck. They have also applied the same formula to a James Bond compilation. With the recording of 'Sexotica' Sex Mob have produced a sultry tribute to the 1950s 'exotica' pioneer Martin Denny. "Exotica" was an urban pastiche of South American, Caribbean, and Hawaiian music originated by Denny. Denny's method was to employ a small group with a large amount of percussion ... Read review

Advantages: A WELL PUT TOGETHER LIVE ALBUM
Disadvantages: THEY COULD HAVE ADDED A FEW MORE TRACKS TO ALBUM

"BOLLA,KEYBOARD BLUES" is one of those albums that you can listen to time and time again and you never get board with it.Perhaps its not only the quality of musicians playing on the album but the treatment of the tunes.They seem to have really enjoyed the live session recording the album taking it like a normal good gig having a lot of fun.You can even hear it in singer Louise Markham's voice at times that they were probably cracking a joke or two ...
...so relaxing to listen to.The selection of tunes and songs was also interesting and were placed in good order for listeners.Ed Bentley of course is the master of the Hammond Organ and seeing him live and hearing him play on the album is expresses the same mode.He is always so layed back pedaling the bass,using nice chords on the left hand and blasting out solo riffs with the right hand without even showing and expression of toil.He could as well be ... Read review