Sam Alden

The Concord Jazz Guitar Collective was a 1995 project that united Howard Alden with fellow guitarists and Concord artists Jimmy Bruno and Frank Vignola. For Concord, a three-guitar date was hardly unprecedented; back in 1974, the label had brought Barney Kessel, Charlie Byrd, and Herb Ellis together as the Great Guitars. Despite the fact that they all play the same instrument, Alden, Bruno, and Vignola prove compatible on this outing, which also employs Jim Hughart on upright bass and Colin Bailey on drums. Although Bruno tends to be more aggressive and forceful than Alden, he can be quite lyrical when he wants to; and while Alden isn't as hard a player as Bruno, he definitely swings. The two have a strong rapport on uptempo numbers like Charlie Parker's "Ornithology," Sam Jones' "Bittersweet," and Benny Goodman's "Seven Come Eleven," as well as on more relaxed performances like Django Reinhardt's "Song D'Autumne"…

This is the most comprehensive collection of the rockabilly era that was ever assembed in one box. On these 40CDs there are 1000 carefully chosen songs. A booklet is also included with information, biographies and many rare illustrations.

itting squarely in the Rock In Opposition mold, Stop Motion Orchestra is an Austin, Texas-based instrumental chamber rock band orchestrated with sax, violin, guitar, synth-bass, drums, here in their second album bringing a bright and melodic force that reminds of Hamster Theatre, Debile Menthol or L'Ensemble Raye; sophisticated, charming and knowledgeable music.

This Warren Vache CD is a bit unusual, for it features the trumpeter, best known for his work in the mainstream and small-group swing field, playing quite a few selections that fall stylistically into bop and hard bop. Joined by tenor saxophonist Bill Easley, trombonist Joel Helleny, guitarist Howard Alden, pianist Richard Wyands, bassist Michael Moore and drummer Alvin Queen, Vache digs into such numbers as Horace Parlan's "The Arrival," "Strangers In Paradise," Billy Strayhorn's "Isfahan" and Sam Jones' "Says You." Highlights include a jubilant "Pick Yourself Up" (which has one of Vache's two effective vocals) and a pair of tongue twisters: Bud Freeman's "The Eel's Nephew" and Flip Phillips' "The Claw." No matter how complex the piece, Vache (who contributed "On Y Va") plays throughout in prime form, showing that he could be one of the top latter-day beboppers if that were his main goal.