Kurt Halbritter

Kurt Maloo (ex Double, Troppo, PingPong) surprises with a refreshingly straight new album. His voice obviously feels comfortable in the slender arrangements, that work perfectly and rely on just a few basic instruments like guitar, bass, drums and keyboards. Although Kurt’s guitar definitely plays the main role in this production. You will hear familiar sounds (Drama Queen, Come Over Here, What About) without having a deja-vu, as well as two rocking tracks (Tumbling Skies, Sometimes Easy), which you might have not expected on a Maloo album in the first place. „Never Give Up“ though, is one of two dance tracks, that’s being chased to the fade out by Kurt’s funky guitar. When it’s over way too soon you have no other choice than to put it on repeat.

This one-and-only recorded collaboration between jazz greats Geri Allen and Kurt Rosenwinkel took place live at the famed Philharmonie de Paris in 2012—the two play as if with one mind. Geri often spoke of her desire to do a studio recording to document the ‘flow and freedom” she experienced playing with Kurt that night in Paris. Unfortunately, we lost her before that date never materialized, and fortunately, that concert was recorded. The acoustics in this hall are magnificent, This album, produced by Kurt Rosenwinkel and Motéma's Jana Herzen is dedicated to Geri's memory and is truly a 'lovesome thing' for fans of Geri, of Kurt, and of piano and guitar jazz.

Kurt Elling has finally delivered on the potential promised on his 1997 album The Messenger. It is true that Elling has been terrifically consistent in his offerings with very inspired performances– even if the material and its execution were not nearly as adventurous as that storied earlier recording. But Man in the Air is the extension of all the wandering risk of The Messenger. Here Elling and his regular band – pianist Laurence Hobgood, bassist Rob Amster, and drummer Frank Parker Jr. – are joined by current vibe king Stefon Harris and Jim Gailloreto on soprano saxophone.

Kurt Elling has finally delivered on the potential promised on his 1997 album The Messenger. It is true that Elling has been terrifically consistent in his offerings with very inspired performances– even if the material and its execution were not nearly as adventurous as that storied earlier recording. But Man in the Air is the extension of all the wandering risk of The Messenger. Here Elling and his regular band – pianist Laurence Hobgood, bassist Rob Amster, and drummer Frank Parker Jr. – are joined by current vibe king Stefon Harris and Jim Gailloreto on soprano saxophone.