Mark Soskin

On "Lockdown Releases" you follow the path of Wolfgang Lackerschmid's creative and varied musical history from the late seventies till 2020. All these tracks were either digitally remastered, finally completed or even recorded during the lockdown in spring 2020.

Sunny Days, Starry Nights is an album by jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins, released on the Milestone label in 1984, featuring performances by Rollins with Clifton Anderson, Mark Soskin, Russell Blake and Tommy Campbell. The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow states: "By 1984 it was a common complaint that Sonny Rollins's live appearances were much more exciting than his studio recordings. Although none of the latter were throwaways (and virtually all of the Milestone sessions have their moments of interest), few were real gems. Sunny Days, Starry Nights as usual finds the great tenor at his best on the two ballads ("I'm Old Fashioned" and Noel Coward's "I'll See You Again") while the other four originals have been largely forgotten."

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.

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.

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.

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.

The better-than-usual repertoire (including the calypso "Duke or Iron," "Dancing in the Dark" and the Warren & Dubin number "I'll String Along with You") makes this outing by Sonny Rollins's usual band (with trombonist Clifton Anderson,, keyboardist Mark Soskin, electric bassist Jerome Harris and drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith) one of the more interesting Rollins albums of recent times. Although not up to the level of his best live performances, this studio album is quite enjoyable and gives one a clear idea as to how Sonny Rollins sounded in the 1980s.

Sonny Rollins - Falling In Love With Jazz (1990) {Milestone 025218917926}
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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."