Soulful New Orleans Jazz
353744
My brother introduced this album to me in the mid-sixties. I've been looking for it for some time now with no luck, and finally found it. It was apparently recorded with little intervention - complete with flaws and of-the-moment emotion.
1654400
The jazz world is oddly full of artists like Charles Lloyd who have prolific discocraphies (this is almost his 40th album as a leader) yet have little name recognition.  For Lloyd, this phenomenon is due mostly to bouncing back and forth between leader and sideman gigs, but on this album his own mournful and soulful voice is clearly heard.  The sound is mellow and relaxed, like a jazz trio at a restaurant, but more daring in song choices and improvisational styles.  Of note are his melancholic cover of the Beach Boys* tune Caroline, No (tk 5) and the peppy, florid and free arrangement of Lift Every Voice and Sing (tk 10).  Lloyd's own works are reflective and explorative - I liked Being and Becoming... (tk 11).  Find a tempo you like and give it a spin - the last track has spoken word poetry if that's your thing!

* Lloyd toured with the Beach Boys and appeared on four of their albums... bet you didn't know that!
4396440
A beautiful album from start to finish soulful yet smooth. Blends Soul and Jazz seamlessly. Highly recommended, a must have for any music lover.
2853913
Obviously, Mr. Gilles aural nature is in tune with my tastes in classic soul and jazz, and his funky sensibilities are unique unto himself.
Buy it now! You won't regret it!
2075100
It's Erykah Badu meets Stacy Orrico meets Aaliyah with a little Billie and Jill Scott yet it's fresh, current, and relatable. Soulful jazz has found a place in the new millennium.
3209407
I've owned several copies of this timeless album over the last twenty years, and it's one that I've never grown tired of hearing. Uplifting, soulful, playful, and delightful were appropriate descriptions for this virtually perfect album done by Pat Metheny's keyboardist back in the late 1980s, and they're just as appropriate today. This great album rides well with you in your car, makes you want to dance in public, or relaxes with you at home. It's easily one of my all time favorite CDs and probably one of the best jazz albums released in the last twenty-five years.
1484464
I've heard these guys play live when they were the opening act for The Ministry Of Unknown Science.
These guys ROCK!
It's not your typical New Orleans Jazz fare, there's a little funk, hip hop, gospel, and klezmer and who else knows what thrown into the mix.
I know it sounds weird, but these guys make it work.
Give a listen. You won't be disappointed, but pleasantly surprised!
4847054
Great jazzy music with deep meaning spiritually that touches the soul. Love the album.
811501
Roy Hargroove has been one of my favorite jazz artists for some time, so it goes without saying that I enjoy his music. I eagerly awaited this project and wasn't at all dissappointed. This cd is smokin'. It's not uncommon for multiple guests projects to sound scrambled and disjointed. Fortunately, Hargroove avoided this plight and  created a collection of grooves that are funky and soul stirring. While all of the guests gave great performances, my personal favorties are Common Free Style, Forget Regret, Liquid Streets, How I Know, Juicy, and The Stroke. Thanks Roy for showing that jazz doesn't have to be stuffy to be great. Looking forward to the next one.
1213208
So many jazz Christmas albums just don't get it right - too much jazz and too little holiday spirit, or too much Christmas and jazz that doesn't feel right. The subtle balance of holiday spirit and jazz feel often eludes the greatest artists. This one hits it right on the mark. Every track is wonderfully conceived; the highest praise I can give is that it's like sitting in a cafe on Royal Street in New Orleans' French Quarter, sipping an espresso or hot cider and looking out a window at festive holiday decorations, while a New Orleans brass band parades by. I love jazz, and the quality of the recording, with so many great artists unfamiliar to me (and who should be famous outside of New Orleans) is testimony to the wealth of unheralded talent in that remarkable city. So many great solos, from a sultry baritone sax to the fine vocals on Christmas Time is Here. Of course, Mayfield is well known in NOLA as the city's cultural ambassador as well as a fantastic trumpet player. Highly recommended!
There's only one thing missing on this CD: Liner notes! Who are these wonderful artists? It would be so nice to see a short bio on Michael Watson, who does the most soulful "Christmas Time is Here" I"ve ever heard,  or drummer Adonis Rose, sax player Derek Douget, or pianist Ronald Markham. And outside of New Orleans, many jazz fans, I would guess, know very little about Irvin Mayfield, or his wonderful jazz club in the heart of the French Quarter.
So Irvin, if you're reading this, how about a little background info on these fine musicians?
2969932
Most jazz fans probably know Blue Mitchell as a member of Horace Silver's classic quintet that recorded numerous albums from 1959-63. Blue also recorded several excellent albums for Blue Note after his association with Silver, and for Riverside, including "Blue Soul," prior to and while he was with the Silver band. "Blue Soul" is almost a jazz throwback. At a time when most label's recordings were quickly thrown together jam sessions, "Blue Soul" was meticulously asembled. Not only does the album feature a stellar band of Jimmy Heath, Curtis Fuller, Wynton Kelly, Sam Jones and Philly Joe Jones, but Benny Golson was also brought on board to lend his arranging talents. The nine songs are all on the short side (reminiscent of the jazz from the early 50s when 10" vinyl limited lengthy improvisations), but don't confuse quantity (or length) with quality. Blue has a way with making it short and sweet, and even when Heath and Fuller sit out on three of the album's tracks, he holds down the fort just fine, particularly on the sultry "Park Avenue Petite." Anyone who loves good 50s jazz, and especially Horace Silver and the Jazztet, will love "Blue Soul."
2211273
The are few musicians that I would call astonishing. New Orleans pianist Henry Butler qualifies to my ears. I remember the first recording of his that I listened to, the marvelous "For All Seasons" on Atlantic. Mostly backed by a trio that included David Holland on bass and Herman Jackson on drums (Steve Turre plays trombone on one track), the album generally is a strong hard bop piano set, but the highpoint is his solo rendition of W.C. Handy's "St. Louis Blues," on which his musical explorations bring a truly fresh take on this classic song. After this disc, his recordings have become less jazz-oriented and more blues-r'n'b focused.

His newest recording is "PianoNOLA" on Basin Street Records. Co-produced by George Winston, who produced Butler's "Orleans Inspiration", this disc is a collection of live solo performances that include several instrumentals as well his renditions of several blues and R&B classics. The strength of this recording is his piano playing especially on the marvelous renditions of `Basin Street Blues,', his own tour de force `Orleans Inspiration,' and the late Alvin Batiste's "North American Idiosyncrasies.' As a vocalist, Butler sometimes come off as a bit melodramatic to these ears (explaining the four stars as opposed to four and half or five), but even on such a well-known number as Professor Longhair's `Tipitina,' he radically reworks it in his stunning original solo and the piano and a wordless vocal part lifts up his rendition of the Ernie K-Doe classic, `Mother-in-Law.' While the overwrought vocal on `Sitting on the Dock of the Bay,' is perhaps the low point, the rollicking `Let It Roll,' (originally on the marvelous "VU-DU-Menz" album with Corey Harris) picks things up. If this reviewer finds this uneven, there is no question that there are many inspired moments throughout this disc. Maybe his wonderful "Orleans Inspiration," will be made readily available again.
2118103
A refreshing new album from a experienced jazz musician.  This collection of tunes has style, soul and funk.  But with a stunningly relaxed raw talent.  He combines the modern sound of the decks with classic tunes to produce an easy listening, toe tapping, chart topping, album.  Less harsh on the ear than some of his other albums, but still with the jawdropping solos which I most admire.  I BIG hit in my CD collection, and a must if you have enjoyed his other stuff.
420557
New Orleans jazz, trad jazz, dixieland jazz--it's all there--excellent.  I recommend it highly.
2573256
If you're a fan of the New Orleans groove, The Meters, Allen Toussaint, funk, soul R&B or just plain old good music, this CD is for you.  Re-issue house, Sundazed Music from Coxsachie, NY has done it again.  This mid-60's (1966 to be exact) release shows Lee Dorsey to be in fine voice.  The New Lee Dorsey is chock full of bonus tracks and the non-stop funk n' party roll that is New Orleans music.
The New Lee Dorsey opens up with "Working In A Coalmine"  (no, its not a Devo song; they just covered it) and doesn't let up.  As with Ride Your Pony (the other Sundazed re-issue), the bonus tracks are all gems.  Don't miss "Everything I Do Gohn Be Funky (from No On)" and "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself a Letter."
If you have never heard of Lee Dorsey, this CD is a great representation of his mid-60's sound.  If you're a longtime fan, this album is finally available on CD.  If you're just a passing fan, give The New Lee Dorsey a chance.  You won't be disappointed.
4273868
I have the LP of this recording, but who listens to them anymore.  I was delighted to find it on CD, and the music is gorgeous as always.  My favorite is Kilimanjaro I think, but they are all good.  Basie captures an African feel in this one - any up and coming young connoisseur of jazz will, I think, find that it is in no way the typical big band sound one might expect.  This one enchants and delights always.
1783698
A refreshing new release from a New Orleans guitarist who refers to his  music as "cosmic blues".  That is an interesting characterization  for 14 original and catchy tunes that are firmly grounded and may better be  described as roots music with obvious delta influence.
Osborne's vocals  are soothing and soulful and almost recall a younger Van Morrison.  His  guitar playing is consistent and upbeat.
In addition to Osborne, nineteen  other musicians make an appearance on the disc including Keb Mo' on  "Greasy Money".  This is definetly one of the better acostic  releases of 1999 and one that deserves support from blues fans.  You just  can't miss with this one!