Jazz Consumer Guide (18):
Surplus

This is the surplus file for Jazz Consumer Guide #18. These are short reviews of records that for one reason or another have been dropped from active consideration while working on this column. These reviews will be published in the blog when the column comes out.


Jenny Scheinman (2008, Koch): A creditable but fairly conventional alt-country effort, showing good taste in covers, originals with some feel and insight, a voice that is neither here nor there. Could turn into a career move, but more likely a lark. She is, after all, one of the 3-5 most accomplished jazz violinists in the world. B+(**)

Other Drops

Also dropping the following. Don't have anything to add to what was previously said in the prospecting notes (for this or some previous Jazz CG cycle).

  • Eric Alexander Quartet: Prime Time: In Concert (2007 [2008], High Note, CD+DVD) B+(**)
  • Rashied Ali/Charles Gaylr/William Parker: By Any Means: Live at Crescendo (2007 [2008], Ayler, 2CD) B+(*)
  • Misha Alperin: Her First Dance (2006 [2008], ECM) B+(**)
  • The Stephen Anderson Trio: Forget Not (2008, Summit) B+(**)
  • Roy Assaf & Eddy Khaimovich Quartet: Andarta (2007 [2008], Origin) B+(*)
  • Jeff Barone: Open Up (2008, Jazzed Media) B
  • Kenny Barron: The Traveler (2007 [2008], Sunnyside) B+(**)
  • John Beasley: Letter to Herbie (2008, Resonance) B+(*)
  • Judith Berkson: Lu-Lu (2006 [2008], Peacock) C+
  • Will Bernard: Blue Plate Special (2008, Palmetto) B
  • Gene Bertoncini & Roni Ben-Hur: Smile (2008, Jazz Foundation/Motéma) B
  • Emily Bezar: Exchange (2008, DemiVox) C
  • Adam Birnbaum: Travels (2008, Smalls) B+(*)
  • Ketil Bjørnstad/Terje Rypdal: Life in Leipzig (2005 [2008], ECM) B+(*)
  • Walt Blanton: Monuments (2006 [2008], Origin) B+(*)
  • Randy Brecker: Randy in Brasil (2006 [2008], MAMA) B-
  • John Burnett Swing Orchestra: West of State Street/East of Harlem (2008, Delmark) B+(*)
  • Bill Cantrall: Axiom (2007 [2008], Up Swing) B+(*)
  • Bill Carrothers: Home Row (1992 [2008], Pirouet) B+(*)
  • Corey Christiansen: Roll With It (2008, Origin) B+(*)
  • Charmaine Clamor: My Harana: A Filipino Serenade (2008, FreeHam) B-
  • George Colligan: Runaway (2007 [2008], Sunnyside) B+(*)
  • Conference Call: Poetry in Motion (2005-06 [2008], Clean Feed) B+(**)
  • Sean Conly: Re:Action (2007 [2008], Clean Feed) B+(*)
  • Jerry Costanzo With Andy Farber and His Swing Mavens: Destination Moon (2004-07 [2008], Semi-Quaver Jazz) B+(**)
  • Dan Cray Trio: Live: Over Here Over Heard (2008, Crawdad) B
  • Brian Cullman: All Fires the Fire (2008, Sunnyside) B+(*)
  • Peter Delano: For Dewey (1996 [2008], Sunnyside) B+(***)
  • Dominique Di Piazza Trio: Princess Sita (2007 [2008], Sunnyside) B+(*)
  • Jason Domnarski Trio: Notes From Underground (2007 [2008], [no label]) B
  • Armen Donelian Trio: Oasis (2007 [2008], Sunnyside) B+(**)
  • Mark Dresser/Ed Harkins/Steven Schick: House of Mirrors (2006 [2008], Clean Feed) B
  • Harris Eisenstadt: Guewel (2008, Clean Feed) B+(**)
  • Karen Emerson: From the Depths (2007-08 [2008], Daring Kittens) B
  • Cynthia Felton: Afro Blue: The Music of Oscar Brown Jr. (2008, Felton Entertainment) B-
  • Amina Figarova: Above the Clouds (2008, Munich) B
  • Five Play: What the World Needs Now (2007 [2008], Arbors) B+(*)
  • Carlos Franzetti: Film Noir (2008, Sunnyside) C
  • Satoko Fujii Ma-Do: Heat Wave (2008, Not Two) B+(**)
  • Renaud Garcia-Fons Trio: Arcoluz (2005 [2008], Enja/Justin Time, CD+DVD) B+(**)
  • Mike Garson: Conversations With My Family (2006 [2008], Resonance, CD+DVD) B+(*)
  • Marshall Gilkes: Lost Words (2007 [2008], Alternate Side) B+(*)
  • Marcus Goldhaber: Take Me Anywhere (2007 [2008], Fallen Apple) B
  • Brad Goode: Polytonal Dance Party (2008, Origin) B+(*)
  • Danny Green: With You in Mind (2008 [2009], Alante) B+(*)
  • Doug Hamilton: Jazz Band (2007 [2008], OA2) B
  • Kieran Hebden/Steve Reid: NYC (2008, Domino) B+(**)
  • Dan Heck: Compositionality (2007 [2008], Origin) B+(*)
  • Todd Herbert: The Tree of Life (2007 [2008], Metropolitan) B+(**)
  • The Here & Now: Break of Day (2007 [2008], OA2) B+(*)
  • Michael Higgins: The Moon and the Lady Dancing (2007 [2009], Michael Higgins Music) B+(*)
  • Warren Hill: La Dolce Vita (2008, Koch) B-
  • Dave Holland Sextet: Pass It On (2007 [2008], Dare2/Emarcy) B+(*)
  • Toninho Horta: To Jobim With Love (2008, Resonance) B-
  • Hot Club de Norvege: Django Music (2007 [2008], Hot Club) B+(*)

  • Christian Howes: Heartfelt (2008, Resonance) B
  • Aaron Irwin Group: Blood and Thunder (2008, Fresh Sound New Talent) B+(**)
  • Anne Mette Iversen: Best of the West + Many Places (2006-07 [2008], Bju'ecords, 2CD) B+(**)
  • Javon Jackson: Once Upon a Melody (2008, Palmetto) B
  • Bujo Kevin Jones & Tenth World: Live! (2004 [2008], Motéma) B+(**)
  • Ron Kalina and Jim Self: The Odd Couple (2006-07 [2008], Basset Hound) B+(*)
  • Kassaba: Dark Eye (2007, CDBaby) B+(**)
  • Roger Kellaway: Live at the Jazz Standard (2006 [2008], IPO, 2CD) B
  • Rebecca Kilgore/Dave Frishberg: Why Fight the Feeling? The Songs of Frank Loesser (2008, Arbors) B+(**)
  • Barbara King: Perfect Timing (2008, CCC Music Group) B
  • Kopacoustic: Music From the KopaFestival 2006 Volume 1 (2006 [2007], Kopasetic) B+(**)
  • Kopalectric: Music From the KopaFestival 2006 Volume 2 (2006 [2007], Kopasetic) B+(**)
  • Deborah Latz: Lifeline (2008, June Moon Productions) B+(**)
  • Jo Lawry: I Want to Be Happy (2008, Fleurieu Music) B-
  • The David Leonhardt Trio: Explorations (2008, Big Bang) B
  • Joe Locke: Force of Four (2008, Origin) B+(*)
  • Ava Logan: So Many Stars (2006-07 [2008], Diva Vet Music) B
  • Lionel Loueke: Karibu (2007 [2008], Blue Note) B+(*)
  • Joe Lovano: Symphonica (2005 [2008], Blue Note) B+(**)
  • Tony Malaby Cello Trio: Warblepeck (2008, Songlines) B+(*)
  • Rebecca Martin: The Growing Season (2007 [2008], Sunnyside) B
  • Marc McDonald: It Doesn't End Here (2007 [2008], No End in Sight) B+(**)
  • Memorize the Sky: In Former Times (2007 [2008], Clean Feed) B+(*)
  • Vince Mendoza: Blauklang (2007 [2008], ACT) B-
  • Metheny Mehldau Quartet (2005 [2007], Nonesuch) B+(**)
  • Mike & the Ravens: Noisy Boys! The Saxony Sessions (2006-07 [2008], Zoho Roots) B
  • Jason Miles: 2 Grover With Love (2008, Koch) B-
  • Steve Million: Remembering the Way Home (2008, Origin) B+(*)
  • Jessica Molaskey: A Kiss to Build a Dream On (2008, Arbors) B
  • Bill Moring & Way Out East: Spaces in Time (2007 [2008], Owl Studios) B+(*)
  • Joe Morris/Barre Phillips: Elm City Duets (2006 [2008], Clean Feed) B-
  • Motel: Lost and Found (2007, MGM) B+(**)
  • New Guitar Summit: Shivers (2008, Stony Plain) B
  • Fredrik Nordström Quintet: Live in Coimbra (2005 [2008], Clean Feed) B+(*)
  • The Phil Norman Tentet: "Totally" Live at Catalina Jazz Club: In Memory of Bob Florence (2008, MAMA, 2CD) B+(**)
  • Andreas Öberg: My Favorite Guitars (2008, Resonance, CD+DVD) B
  • Arturo O'Farrill & Claudia Acuña: In These Shoes (2008, Zoho) B+(*)
  • Judith Owen: Mopping Up Karma (2008, Courgette) B-
  • Aaron Parks: Invisible Cinema (2008, Blue Note) B+(**)
  • Bennett Paster & Gregory Ryan: Grupo Yanqui Rides Again (2006 [2008}, Miles High) B
  • Nik Payton and Bob Wilber: Swinging the Changes (2007 [2008], Arbors) B+(*)
  • Danilo Perez & Claus Ogerman: Across the Crystal Sea (2008, Emarcy) B+(*)
  • Anne Phillips: Ballet Time (2008, Conawago) B
  • The Pineapple Thief: Tightly Unwound (2008, K Scope) B+(*)
  • Chico Pinheiro & Anthony Wilson: Nova (2008, Goat Hill) B
  • Bucky Pizzarelli and Strings: So Hard to Forget (2008, Arbors) B+(**)
  • Benny Powell: Nextep (2007 [2008], Origin) B-
  • Noah Preminger Group: Dry Bridge Road (2007 [2008], Nowt) B+(**)
  • Andy Pratt: Masters of War (2008, It's About Music) B+(*)
  • Dafnis Prieto: Taking the Soul for a Walk (2007 [2008], Dafnison) B
  • Dianne Reeves: When You Know (2008, Blue Note) B-
  • Pete Rodríguez: El Alquimista/The Alchemist (2008, Conde Music) B+(*)
  • Curtis Salgado: Clean Getaway (2008, Shanachie) B
  • Angelica Sanchez: Life Between (2007 [2008], Clean Feed) B+(**)
  • Janine Santana: Soft as Granite (2008, NiNi) B+(**)
  • Boz Scaggs: Speak Low (2008, Decca) B
  • Peter Schärli Trio Feat. Ithamara Koorax: Obrigado Dom Um Romão (2006 [2008], TCB) B+(**)
  • Andy Scherrer Special Sextet: Wrong Is Right (2007 [2008], TCB) B+(**)
  • Lee Shaw Trio: Live in Graz (2007 [2008], ARC, CD+DVD) B+(*)
  • Judi Silvano: Cleome: Live Takes (2008, JSL) B-
  • South Florida Jazz Orchestra (2008, MAMA) B
  • Spring Heel Jack: Songs & Themes (2007 [2008], Thirsty Ear) B+(*)
  • John Stein: Encounter Point (2007 [2008], Whaling City Sound) B+(*)
  • The Stryker/Slagle Band: The Scene (2008, Zoho) B+(*)
  • Fred Taylor and Inquest: Processional (2006, Crinkle-Cuts) B
  • Fred Taylor Trio: Circling (2008, Fred Taylor Music) B+(*)
  • Tetterapadequ: And the Missing R (2007 [2008], Clean Feed) B+(*)
  • Trio Viriditas: Live at Vision Festival VI (2001 [2008], Clean Feed) B+(**)
  • Tuner: Pole (2005-06 [2007], Unsung) B
  • Tuner: Totem (2005 [2008], Unsung) B+(**)
  • Steve Turre: Rainbow People (2007 [2008], High Note) B+(**)
  • McCoy Tyner: Guitars (2006 [2008], McCoy Tyner Music/Half Note) B+(*)
  • The Warren Vaché-John Allred Quintet: Live in Bern Switzerland at Marians Jazzroom: Jubilation (2007 [2008], Arbors) B+(**)
  • Peter Van Huffel/Sophie Tassignon: Hufflignon (2008, Clean Feed) B-
  • Johnny Varro Swing 7: Ring Dem Bells (2007 [2008], Arbors) B+(*)
  • Eric Vloeimans: Gatecrash (2007 [2008], Challenge) B+(*)
  • Von Garcia: I Think a Think (2008, Sluggo's Goon Music) B+(**)
  • Mark Weinstein: Lua e Sol (2008, Jazzheads) B+(*)
  • Ben Wolfe: No Strangers Here (2007 [2008], MaxJazz) B+(**)
  • The Stephane Wrembel Trio: Gypsy Rumble (2005 [2008], Amoeba Music) B
  • Eri Yamamoto: Duologue (2008, AUM Fidelity) B+(**)

  • Jacob Young: Sideways (2006 [2008], ECM) B+(*)
  • Carlos "Zingaro"/Dominique Regef/Wilbert DeJoode String Trio: Spectrum (2004 [2008], Clean Feed) B+(**)

The following appeared (or soon will) in Recycled Goods:

  • Chet Baker: Chet in Chicago (1986 [2008], Enja) B+(**)
  • Art Blakey and the Giants of Jazz: Live at the 1972 Monterey Jazz Festival (1972 [2008], Monterey Jazz Festival) B+(***)
  • Dave Brubeck: 50 Years of Dave Brubeck: Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival 1958-2007 (1958-2007 [2008], Monterey Jazz Festival) A-
  • Ablaye Cissoko/Volker Goetze: Sira (2007 [2008], Obliqsound) B+(*)
  • Cryptogramophone Assemblage 1998-2008 (1998-2007 [2008], Cryptogramophone, 2CD+DVD) B
  • The Miles Davis All-Stars: Broadcast Sessions 1958-59 (1958-59 [2008], Acrobat) B+(**)
  • Bill Evans Trio: Sunday at the Village Vanguard (1961 [2008], Riverside/Keepnews Collection) A
  • Gilfema: Gilfema + 2 (2008, ObliqSound) B+(**)
  • Dizzy Gillespie Big Band: Showtime at the Spotlite (1946 [2008], Uptown, 2CD) B
  • Marco Granados: Music of Venezuela (2008, Soundbrush) B
  • Shirley Horn: Live at the 1994 Monterey Jazz Festival (1994 [2008], Monterey Jazz Festival) B+(***)
  • Willi Johanns: Scattin' (1987-2002 [2008], TCB) B+(**)
  • Justin Time Records 25th Anniversary Collection (1972-2007 [2008], Justin Time, 2CD) B
  • The Klez Dispensers: Say You'll Understand (2008, TKD) B+(**)
  • Tom Lellis/Toninho Horta: Tonight (2008, Adventure Music) B-
  • Carmen McRae: Live at the Flamingo Jazz Club London May 1961 (1961 [2008], Acrobat) B+(*)
  • Thelonious Monk: Thelonious Himself (1957 [2008], Riverside/Keepnews Collection) B
  • Jovino Santos Neto & Weber Iago: Live at Caramoor (2007 [2008], Adventure Music) B
  • Charlie Parker: Washington D.C., 1948 (1948 [2008], Uptown) B+(*)
  • Princes Amongst Men: Journeys With Gypsy Musicians ([2008], Asphalt Tango) A-
  • Tito Puente & His Orchestra: Live at the 1977 Monterey Jazz Festival (1977 [2008], Monterey Jazz Festival) B+(*)

    Lucía Pulido: Luna Menguante/Waning Moon (2008, Adventure Music) B+(*)

  • Quadro Nuevo: Ciné Passion (2000 [2008], Justin Time) B
  • Nina Simone: To Be Bree: The Nina Simone Story (1957-93 [2008], RCA/Legacy, 3CD) B+(**)
  • Cal Tjader: The Best of Cal Tjader: Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival 1958-1980 (1958-80 [2008], Monterey Jazz Festival) B+(**)
  • Jimmy Witherspoon: Live at the 1972 Monterey Jazz Festival (1959-72 [2008], Monterey Jazz Festival) B

The following were briefly sampled from download sources (e.g., Rhapsody). They may be revisited if/when I get real copies.