Michael E. Mann

Götz Alsmann is back. With a brand new, "L.I.E.B.E." titled studio album, his sixth overall for the renowned jazz label Blue Note. Of course he was never gone. But in recent years the master of the German jazz hit has shown himself to be more internationally oriented musically on records and in live concerts. First “In Paris” (2011), then “On Broadway” (2014) and most recently “In Rom” (2017) he explored the song worlds of these metropolises and countries, always congenially provided with corresponding German lyrics.

Jazz singer/songwriter Michael Franks is an artist most jazz fans feel strongly about one way or another. His unique, romantic poet-cum-laid-back hipster approach to jazz signing is breezy, light, and languid. It's also uniquely his own, though deeply influenced by Brazilian jazz, bossa, and samba. Time Together, his first recording of new material in five years – and his debut for Shanachie – is unlikely to change anyone's opinion of him, but that doesn't mean this is a rote recording. Time Together is an airy, groove-ridden summer travelog that ranges from St. Tropez and New York to Paris, France, and Egypt; it journeys through the nostalgic past and finds space in the present moment, with cleverly notated, languorous, ironic observations about life. Franks split the production and arranging duties between Charles Blenzig, Gil Goldstein, Chuck Loeb, Scott Petito, and Mark Egan. The rest of the international cast on this polished 11-song set includes old friends and new faces David Spinozza, Mike Mainieri, David Mann, Eric Marienthal, Till Brönner, Alex Spiagin, Jerry Marotta, Billy Kilson, Romero Lubambo, and backing vocalist Veronica Nunn.