Mark Soskin

Some Morning is the first solo release by Grammy-nominated Kim Nazarian. Well-known to jazz fans around the world as a founding member of New York Voices, Kim is one of the most accomplished vocalists on the scene today. This project highlights Kim’s talents not only as a singer, but also as a lyricist and an arranger. Some Morning features some of the most well-known names in jazz, including her husband, Jay Ashby, the five-time Grammy Award-winning producer and trombonist. Special guests include Gary Burton, Paquito D’Rivera, John Pizzarelli, Sean Jones, Roger Humphriesand Jamey Haddad.

America/Brasil is a rollicking, celebratory album that keeps Herbie Mann on the winning streak he started with the release of Peace Pieces in 1995. Recorded during a week of concerts to mark his 65th birthday in April 1995, this disc is much stronger than its immediate predecessor, Celebration, also taken from the same week of live concert performances at New York's Blue Note jazz club. The material here is superb, and the playing top-notch. As the title implies, the emphasis here is on Mann's Brazilian side, but there are touches of the non-Brazilian with Bill Evans' "Peri's Scope" and Miles Davis' "All Blues." "Summertime" is recast in an Afro-Cuban mode with Paquito D'Rivera sharing the solo space on alto sax. However, lengthy Brazilian showstoppers are placed at the beginning, middle, and end of this wonderful disc. The opening "Keep the Spirits Singing" is propelled by the polyrhythmic pulse of percussionists Cyro Baptista and "Café," and the 17-minute title track finale features trumpeters Randy Brecker and Claudio Roditi, trombonist Jim Pugh, and guitarist Romero Lubambo.

This is a remarkably consistent set flowing naturally from one tune to another…The contributions from pianists Eduardo Simon, and Mark Soskins and from New Orleans drummer Ricky Sebastian are superb, providing a consistently subtle and sympathetic backdrop to Mann's flute…It is a rewarding listen; gentle, lyrical and very well produced. If you like your Jobim you won't go wrong here.

For 10 years, I’ve never had an urge to make CD as leader. I needed an encounter. Then, I met Domenico Sanna. I talked about my favorite music and shared all with him. To remember such our encounter, we decided to enter into studio, in duo, in which the swing, melodies, interplays can be more intimate and crystallized. I hope people don’t care absence of drums, instruments developed for, and with jazz. We played some standards and our compositions, where swing combines with our sentiments totally set free…

Sonny Rollins's usual sextet (with trombonist Clifton Anderson, pianist Mark Soskin, guitarist Jerome Harris, electric bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Steve Jordan) welcomes guest drummers Jack DeJohnette and Al Foster and, most importantly, trumpeter Roy Hargrove on two selections. ~ AllMusic

The sounds of Brazil are here to stay. ZEBRA Reconds is proud to present one of Rio's treasures: KENIA. The re-release of RIO/NEW YORK is a real celebration. It possesses the feel of hot Carnaval and smooth Samba with a passion for Jazz. Half the songs have been remixed and it sounds better than ever. KENIA, in the tradition of a true "Carioca" expresses herself in song with an emotion known as "Saudade", a love and longing for her native Brazil. When I first heard KENIA the sultriness of her voice was so mesmerizing yet forceful with an intriguing sensuality.

Sonny Rollins - Falling In Love With Jazz (1990) {Milestone 025218917926}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 272 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 112 Mb
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© 1990 Milestone Records / Fantasy | 025218917926
Jazz / Post Bop / Saxophone

This average effort from Sonny Rollins and his regular sextet is most notable for two numbers ("For All We Know" and "I Should Care") that find Branford Marsalis joining Rollins in a quintet with pianist Tommy Flanagan. Unfortunately Marsalis makes the fatal error of trying to imitate Rollins (instead of playing in his own musical personality) and he gets slaughtered. Much better are Rollins's romps on "Tennessee Waltz" and "Falling in Love with Love."

Sonny Rollins's usual sextet (with trombonist Clifton Anderson, pianist Mark Soskin, guitarist Jerome Harris, electric bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Steve Jordan) welcomes guest drummers Jack DeJohnette and Al Foster and, most importantly, trumpeter Roy Hargrove on two selections. Hargrove sounds fine on "I Wish I Knew" and "Young Roy" while Rollins is in good form on such songs as "Why Was I Born," "Someone to Watch over Me" and "Long Ago and Far Away." Nothing very innovative occurs but the music is quite pleasing.