CD-Charts Position 81
Average Rating:

Culture of Resistance

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz Jam Bands
by: B-Side Players

Release Date August 01, 1999
The more I listen to this album the more I love it. From the starting track,"MUMIA" which is about the controversial figure Mumia Abu-Jamal, A former radio jounalist, who was shot by the police, and almost died, trying to intervene a steet incident in which his brother was being beaten by that same policeman. That policeman was also shot and killed. He was charged with murder and is now on death row.Many think he is wrongfully accused. FREE MUMIA! This album is filled with political rhetoric, and I love it. This is not your run of the mill watered down, generic crap you hear alot these days, This is a band with brains and talent.They groove an infectious mix of Latin, Raggae, jazz, and funk. I discovered them recently and have been ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 82
Average Rating:

Live

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz Jam Bands
by: Greyboy Allstars

Release Date March 23, 1999
As many have mentioned, this is only a taste of what you will get when you see GBA live. This was recorded in their earlier days of touring(1999) and the group has evolved alot since then (What Happened to TV? is a whole new feel). This is also not an entire set list, just some select (often cover) tunes. The tight ryhthm section and Karl Denson's smashing horn lines are amazing. Being a sax player myself, this music appeals more to the jazz/fusion musicians out there, not your ordinary listener. The solos don't get old as they trade nicely between Elgin Park on guitar, Robert Walter on keys, and Denson on alto/tenor/flute. The CD is high energy the whole way. The only way to truly experience GBA is to see them live. They are keeping the funk/soul/groove ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 83
Average Rating:

Meant to Be

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz Jam Bands
by: John Scofield

Release Date February 01, 1991
The year was 1990 and the quartet featured Joe Lovano on tenor saxophone & alto clarinet, Marc Johnson on bass, Bill Stewart on drums and of course the great man himself on guitar.

I love anything John Scofield does. His guitar sounds much more muted these days; this album is from back when it still used to wail a little. The uptempo tunes are brilliant enough but it's the ballads on this album that get to me; The beautiful "Keep Me In Mind", "The Guinness Spot", "Meant To Be" and "French Flics" are worth the price of the CD all by themselves. But other favourites are "Chariots", "Mr. Coleman To You" (a tribute to Ornette?) and the weird and wonderful "Lost In Space". Scofield writes all songs, naturally.

With great input from all ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 84
Average Rating:

Return Of The Candyman

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz Jam Bands
by: Charlie Hunter & Pound For Pound

Release Date August 19, 2008
on this quartet release, it's hunter on 8-string guitar, his much hyped labelmate stefon harris on vibes, john santos playing percussion, and scott amendola on drums. charlie hunter went to a new level on return of the candyman. it's a strange combination of instruments for today's ears, and it is usually quite refreshing. plus, hunter's solos are much stronger than in the past, his playing is deeper, and his style is less restricted. it's every bit as funky as his previous albums, but the jazz licks he plays on this one are way better. the addition of a vibes makes the music sound much more spatial, even graceful at times, and, more importantly, gives hunter more of a chance to be a guitar player. check out that horrible album cover too. creepy!

CD-Charts Position 85
Average Rating:

Spirit of '70

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz Jam Bands
by: Robert Walter, Gary Bartz

Release Date May 14, 1997
I had to take a star away because this disc doesn't even come close to The GBA's West Coast Boogaloo which, in my humble opinion, is the finest work of each of the musicians on that album. A lot of you may not agree, but A Town Called Earth and KDTU's stuff do not have the same strength in melody. Maybe some will agree with that. Thing is, after reading the reviews I immediately called around until I found this thing and went and bought it, hoping it would have some of the melodic magic that I know these guys are capable of. Honestly, I was a little disappointed.

CD-Charts Position 86
Average Rating:

There Goes the Neighborhood

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz Jam Bands
by: Robert Walter

Release Date October 23, 2001
Hey man when i heard the frollicking-fingered-fella had a new project out I did not hesitate. I got two copies because, knowing the Money Shot's intensity and grooves, this one had to be just too sweet. I, Like the other reviewer from the UK, had this masterpiece turned up loud.This disk, which includes so many cagey veterans,was all the way live. The Tease and Wade in the Water are supperb pieces. Walter co-wrote many of these great pieces of music with the veteran laden lineup.This is a keeper and meant to be placed near your stereo at all times people. Help came from all areas including his 20th Congress Percussionist, Chucky Prada. Harvey Mason is amazing and a steadying force on the drum kit. My personal favourite is the last song on the disk. Luck has nothing ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 87
Average Rating:

Charlie Hunter

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz Jam Bands
by: Charlie Hunter

Release Date October 27, 2006
This is a seminal performance by Charlie Hunter, The guy who said it is "indicative of the current identity crisis in Jazz" is wrong: This CD shows Charlie Hunter as being one of the few true answers to where Jazz actually is at--and it is grooving its butt off.

The percussion is phenomenal, I am a drummer and the beats are great. Charlie's style is excellent for leaving all the space for the others to get in there and contribute to the groove. The trombone solos are great to hear, it has been a while since I've been exposed to as interesting solos.

And, this is all without being overly pretentious or technical. That is the thing that really popularizes Charlie Hunter's music, but it is definitely improvisation, grooving Jazz. This one has nice horn arrangements, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 88
Average Rating:

Up All Night

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz Jam Bands
by: The John Scofield Band

Release Date May 20, 2003
This album, simply stated, is amazing. The production, the grooves, the guitar playing, the epic horn arrangements, everything. I own most of Scofields records, and this is definately in my top 2 favorites. I have a good feeling this will go down as one of his better record efforts, as well as the classic 'A go go'. It's too bad he isn't collaborating with Adam Dietch anymore, this album seriously grooves. This is definately a good start for anyone who doesn't know much about John Scofield as it as accessible and intricate. This is one of those albums that you can play in the backround and it is great and you can pay close attention to it and still find a lot of enjoyment. Kudos to Mr. Scofield for this one.

CD-Charts Position 89
Average Rating:

Right Now Move

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz Jam Bands
by: Charlie Hunter Quintet

Release Date March 25, 2003
I've had this album for quite a while now, and I thought that with repeated listens it would grow on me, that the grating fingers-on-blackboard effect the sound of that chromatic harmonica produces would gradually fade. But no, it still wrecks the album for me. I do like "Oakland", and I think the rest of the album would be good if I could ask my CD player to filter out the harmonica.

To me Hunter peaked with Charlie Hunter, Duo, and Analog Playground -- the Blue Notes.

Friends Seen and Unseen was a step back in the right direction. Right Now Move was unfortunate...

CD-Charts Position 90
Average Rating:

Who's Who?

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz Jam Bands
by: John Scofield

Release Date June 24, 1997
Trying to choose a favourite John Scofield album is like trying to choose a favourite niece or nephew. I'm pretty sure I've referred to one or two albums by the legendary jazz guitarist as "my favourite" along the way but like children, while they're all loved, they're all different. And again, like children, while there have been times where I've preferred some over others, it's really depended on the mood I was in at the time. One day I'll be playing a Scofield CD I haven't played in ages and I'll be like, wow! I actually really love this one!

Thus is the story of "Who's Who?" and the way I'm feeling today while I listen to it playing in the background, I'm prepared to award it the title of "overall favourite". Tomorrow, well, that's another day. Who knows what mood I'll be in?

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