Group Think

Bassist Omer Avital is strong and conceptually ambitious on his debut recording. After beginning with an unaccompanied rendition of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song," he leads his group through eight stirring originals, as well as a 5/4 arrangement of "Stella by Starlight." The record is a sax-and-flute fest: most of the tunes burst with the harmonic richness of a little big band, thanks to the presence of Jay Collins, Greg Tardy, Myron Walden, Joel Frahm, and Jimmy Greene, at times all on the same track. Daniel Freedman plays drums on six cuts, Marlon Browden on three. Avital the arranger is more than capable of harnessing all this combined talent; what's more, he never falls back on obvious devices or rote solo rotations (there's usually only one soloist per tune). Some of the tracks run together as segues, giving the record a suite-like structure that increases its emotional impact…

2013 two CD live release from the Blues rocker. After two decades of recording and touring with many live fan recorded bootlegs in circulation, Chris Duarte finally has an official live set that catches him tearing it up during his 2012 tour of Japan. A brilliant guitarist of the highest caliber, Duarte's riveting live show has been finally captured on disc and it's a fine thing to behold. Chris' recordings have always been rooted firmly in the Blues with a Rock 'n' Roll edge which further established Duarte as one of the rare musical talents of his generation. Chris Duarte Group Live continues in the tradition of smokin' Blues with doses of heavy Psychedelia throughout. With more than 10 records to his credit with no live CD in his discography, this set is the release for which Duarte fans have been waiting as it shows Duarte in his best light as one of the most impressive guitarists on the rockin' blues scene today.