Blue Beach David Sandborn

Sanborn's '83 release brought a new meaning to late night or midnight music listening ! By no means is this elevator muzak, either ! In fact, Sanborn was on the cutting edge in using drum machines and synthesizer arrangements without stifling his sax playing or throwing the whole project out of whack. Sanborn's playing is very upfront and sharp ! While the recording may sound dated, it is only in a very good positive way to demonstrate what is lacking in some of today's so-called pop-jazz or r & b instrumentalists.

The violinist Thomas Albertus Irnberger, the cellist David Geringas and the pianist Barbara Moser play piano trios by female composers of the 19th and 20th centuries. Amy Marcy Beach artfully combines French modernity with late romantic and American folklore elements in her trio from 1938, Sonia Eckhardt-Gramatté's work "Ein wenig Musik" (A Piece of Music) impresses with originality, melodious ideas and diverse rhythmic components, Louise Farrenc's trio from 1857 shows that she was a contemporary of early Romanticism, but also dealt with Ancient music, Mélanie Hélène Bonis' pieces for piano trio "Soir" and "Matin" were created in 1907 and reflect the different moods of a day, while Julia Frances Smith's Cornwall Trio from 1966 expresses the funny, playful energy of the gifted composer that she was.

Here’s a musical excursion in the best Blue Knights tradition - eclectic, evocative and firmly anchored in the urban American groove. Come along with Curtis McLaw, Jay Heye and friends as they cruise down a California highway, greet a steamy night in the tropics, stroll a city street and comb a remote Far Eastern beach.
The excursion begins with an uptempo “Wake Up Call,” featuring Heye’s bluesy piano over McLaw’s keyboard rhythms and harmonies. They’re joined by Bill Joseph Flynn on guitar and Mr. P.T. on sax. That’s George Bishop doing the plaintive soprano work on “Nightfall” and Flynn in a similar vein on acoustic guitar in “Missing You.” And all hands show major-league chops in the driving, staccato counterpoint of “Tropical Night”…

The audio companion to David Toop's excellent book advances the case he made, that Les Baxter, Aphex Twin, The Beach Boys, Herbie Hancock, King Tubby and My Bloody Valentine are all related by their effect on sound pioneering. A double-disc set, Ocean of Sound impresses not only with its incredible diversity of musical styles, but with how easily these artists work next to each other. The second disc includes consecutive contributions by Paul Schütze, the Velvet Undergound, Holger Czukay of Can, The Beach Boys, African Headcharge and Sun Ra. Besides illustrating Toop's point beautifully, the album is an excellent addition to the collection of any wide-ranging ambient fan.