Kenny Wheeler has a stunning lyric imagination, apparent in the burnished luster of his flugelhorn and the subtle structures of his compositions. Its present too in the way he picks his musical partners and constructs situations that bring out the very best in them. The quartet here includes two longstanding partners in bassist Dave Holland, a collaborator for nearly four decades, and pianist John Taylor, a regular associate in the group Azimuth. Tenor saxophonist Chris Potter, a regular in Hollands quintet, completes the band; with lines of empathy connecting all four musicians. The absence of a drummer highlights each musicians unique sound. Wheelers lines seem to dance on Taylors limpidly fluid piano like sunlight on water, while Potter blends a muscular assertiveness with Wheelers reflective tunes.
Rosnes Artfully Reimagines Quintessential Brazilian Songs, Joined by Two of Brazil’s Greatest Artists and Composers, Edu Lobo and Joyce Moreno and also features American and Brazilian Stars, including Maucha Adnet, Chris Potter, Steve Davis, Chico Pinheiro, John Patitucci, Adam Cruz, and Rogério Boccato.
Reissue with SHM-CD format and new 24bit remastering. An overlooked 50s set from guitarist Johnny Smith – one that features a piano added into his trio, hence the "foursome" in the title! The pianist here is Bob Pancoast, who has a fluid, sometimes gentle touch on the keys – one that spins out Smith's guitar a bit more than usual, with a lyrical flair that we really like – and which is sometimes a bit of a contrast to his better-known mellow mode. The rest of the group features Knobby Totah on bass and Jerry Segal on drums.
Acclaimed Israeli born and New York based guitar virtuoso and composer Oz Noy creates intuitive, fluid sonic art suspended somewhere between blues anguish, rock power and the rich harmonic density of jazz. Noy has performed, toured and recorded with many acclaimed artists including Chris Botti, Harry Belafonte, Cyndi Lauper, Clay Aiken, Nile Rogers, Allman Brothers, Phillip Phillips, Matisyahu, Jennifer Hudson, Don Henley, Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Paul Shaffer, Steven Tyler, Sting and Allison Krauss. Noy is celebrating the release of his forthcoming album 'Who Gives A Funk.'
Despite the innovation, many PMG fans have nostalgically longed for the return of more accessible material. Kin (<–>), the Unity Band's sophomore outing, should please fans of all Metheny stripes. The band is now a quintet with multi-instrumentalist Giulio Carmassi. He plays piano, strings, brass, winds, vibes, voice, and more. While the frontline remains the guitarist and Potter, the rhythm section of Williams and Sanchez is fluid in earthy and ethereal modes, seamlessly providing grooves and force, often simultaneously. Carmassi's contributions balance melody, form, texture, and interactive dynamics. Metheny's ability to convey an almost hummable sense of melodic euphoria was at the heart of the PMG's sound.