Cory Weeds As of Now (2014)

Jackie McLean was a hard-bop alto saxophonist with a fiery tight tone, who recorded extensively in the ‘50s and ‘60s mainly with Blue Note Records. Although his forays with an organ was confined to two albums with Jimmy Smith Open House and Plain Talk, Cory Weeds’ decision to use an organ on this session does not stray off the mark. Condition Blue accomplishes the band’s intention, to acknowledge a saxophonist who had an exploratory vision. In a set list of either McLean originals, or compositions associated with him, this tight-knit band delivers the goods in firm, yet flexible style. The key players in this session in addition, to the cooly effective altoist Weeds, are Mike LeDonne, a B-3 player of energetic disposition, and creative guitarist Peter Bernstein. Also along is drummer Joe Farnsworth who is a propulsive player.

A popular contemporary jazz guitarist, Nils Jiptner, aka Nils, is a successful solo artist, session player, and instructor, with a groove-based sound influenced by his love of funk and fusion. A native of Munich, Nils first started playing guitar in his teens, inspired by bands like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. Later, he discovered funk, jazz, and fusion and began expanding his skills as he investigated the music of Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, and Chic's Nile Rodgers. In the mid-'80s he relocated to Los Angeles, where studied composition, arranging, and film scoring. He also found session work, playing with artists like guitarist George Benson, trumpeter Rick Braun, and the Temptations. As a solo artist, he debuted in 1998 with Blue Planet, which featured guest appearances by Benson, Nathan East, Chante Moore, and others.

Definitely NOW by Liam Bailey is a great blues album that has a twinge of just about everything. In the first track “ On My Mind” he seems to be channeling a very bluesy almost 12 bar feel. However he covers quite more than a few styles as his album progresses…

Forty-five years into the band's career, the seemingly straightforward numerical system Chicago follow to title their albums has gotten confusing. Their 2014 offering Now: Chicago XXXVI is clearly their 36th record but it is only their 23rd studio album and, to muddle matters more, it is their first collection of brand-new original material since Chicago XXX in 2006 (the 2008 release of Chicago XXXII: Stone of Sisyphus doesn't really count, as that was initially scheduled for release in 1994, which would've made it Chicago XXII or so). Hence, the decision to put "Now" in front of Chicago XXXVI instead of behind: it emphasizes that this record showcases the band in the present, not the past. That Chicago's Now sounds tethered to the Chicago of the early '80s is neither here nor there…