Record Reviews

ARTURO SANDOVAL ~ DEAR DIZ CONCORD 33020 ~ CUBA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 This is a wonderful tribute album to the legendary trumpeter / composer Dizzy GillespieFind albums by this artist, one of the Godfathers of Bebop and Jazz most important innovators. This loving project is executed by Cuban trumpeter / composer Arturo SandovalFind albums by this artist, who always considered Diz as a father figure. Sandoval expressed his gratitude to the man is his book "Dizzy Gillespie – The Man Who Changed My Life" and this album is in many respects an extension of this book. Diz of course helped Sandoval to escape from Cuba and move to the US and later in the process of establishing a name for himself on the US scene. Sandoval selected ten Jazz standards, nine of which were composed or co-composed by Diz and added a song especially written by him for this album. All the music was arranged in contemporary fashion, using many different settings, utilizing an orchestra and even a string quartet. The players are simply the crème de la crème of the American scene and the special guests / soloist include many legendary Jazz giants, such as vibraphonist Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist, organist Joey DeFrancescoFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Bob MintzerFind albums by this artist and many more. All this music is obviously timeless, but hearing it in these beautiful arrangements and in contemporary sonic setting gives them a new dimension and sounds simply marvelous. I can´t imagine any Jazz connoisseur not enjoying this music, even if it is somewhat retro oriented. After all this is a tribute to the sublime Jazz tradition, which still sound as perfect as it did decades ago. Brilliant!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

ANDY SUMMERS ~ GREEN CHIMNEYS REPERTOIRE / RARE 1002 (Barcode: 4009910000229) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1988 Released: 2007 It is not often that a Rock musician decides to cross over into much more advanced musical environment, such as Jazz or World Music and does so completely and seriously. PoliceFind albums by this artist guitarist Andy SummersFind albums by this artist, obviously known to most Rock listeners on this planet, is one of those musicians, who changed their path and successfully developed a "new" career. This album, which is a tribute to the music of the great American pianist / composer Thelonious MonkFind albums by this artist, showcases Summers as a splendid Jazz guitarist, with beautiful technique and exquisite taste. Of course Summers manages to achieve a completely unique sound and voicing on his instrument, which retain a certain affiliation with his Rock roots, but overall the album is an absolute knockout. With drummer Peter ErskineFind albums by this artist, organist Joey DeFrancescoFind albums by this artist, bassist Dave CarpenterFind albums by this artist, StingFind albums by this artist doing vocals on one track and many other superb musicians, this album is a true delight. Life is full of surprises!

CD 1 Digipak Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend