The Time is Right

John Tropea is one of the most admired and highly regarded guitar players of his generation. His playing shows a vast knowledge and respect for the tradition of the instrument as well as an original style that continues to define how the guitar best serves a wide variety of musical styles. He is a musician’s musician who attracts the finest players for his own projects.

The Time Is Right is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by Donaldson with Blue Mitchell, Horace Parlan, Laymon Jackson, Dave Bailey, and Ray Barretto with Sam Jones and Al Harewood replacing Jackson and Bailey on one track.

The Time Is Right is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by Donaldson with Blue Mitchell, Horace Parlan, Laymon Jackson, Dave Bailey, and Ray Barretto with Sam Jones and Al Harewood replacing Jackson and Bailey on one track.

This early effort by tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson was produced by Betty Carter. On the well-rounded set, Jackson (who shows the influence of Joe Henderson in his tone and style) performs five jazz standards, including "Love Walked In" and "Sweet and Lovely," and three inventive hard bop originals. He holds his own with altoist Kenny Garrett on two selections, welcomes Dianne Reeves to "I Waited for You" (where she takes a warm ballad vocal), and matches well with pianist Jacky Terrasson and two rhythm sections. A fine effort that stands out from the typical Young Lions output of the era.

On this well-rounded set, Jackson (who shows the influence of Joe Henderson in his tone and style) performs five jazz standards, including "Love Walked In" and "Sweet and Lovely," and three inventive hard bop originals. He holds his own with altoist Kenny Garrett on two selections, welcomes Dianne Reeves to "I Waited for You" (where she takes a warm ballad vocal), and matches well with pianist Jacky Terrasson and two rhythm sections. A fine effort that stands out from the typical Young Lions output of the era. ~ Scott Yanow

Although the quintet featured on this CD reissue from the Italian Red label was one of trumpeter Woody Shaw's finest, it failed to make much of an impact before breaking up. Teamed with trombonist Steve Turre, pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Stafford James and drummer Tony Reedus for an Italian concert, Shaw stretches out on two of his originals plus "You And The Night And The Music" and "We'll Be Together Again"; all four of the numbers clock in between 10-12 minutes apiece. High-quality advanced hard bop.

Luis Ramón Valle Sánchez is a Cuban jazz pianist and composer. His "The Time Is Now" is probably Ramón's most personal album so far. With this new recording, Ramón Valle takes on the role of musical time traveler, as he experiences and interprets, from an up close and personal vantage, the music that is happening today from an up close and personal vantage.