In Frank’s words, “This is something quite different…I’m not trying to revolutionize the
big band, I’m just telling it the way I hear it with thirteen horns and a rhythm section.” After leading the Basie band for a decade, in ’95 Foster put down the baton to form his
band—the Loud Minority.
According to Stereophile,
“The arrangements are fabulous…it’s unbelievably dynamic and physical. Lots of sock, layer upon layer of sound…They just don’t come any cooler than this disc.” Jeffers melds Ellingtonian elegance and bayou funk, gospel and John Philip Sousa, Harlem and the samba.
Clifford’s big band was a warm and swinging group with great jazz soloists, akin to Dizzy’s big band from the late ’40s. JazzTimes says Clifford is “…clearly inspired throughout…he caresses the ballads with long wisps of smoky-toned lyricism, and ignites the cookers with his fiery amalgam of blues and bop.”
A La Carte serves up a New Orleans street band marinated with a hot salsa percussion
section. The brass section stomps like the Dirty Dozen and moans like a Bourbon Street funeral. Led by Santana’s Gali Sanchez, the percussion anchors the celebration with impact and fire.
“Fronted by sultry vocals from chanteuse Marianna Previti alternating with Arthur Gerstein’s gruff and wiggy Prima-esque jiving, the J Street Jumpers execute a perfect fit with their swaggering horn arrangements, lustful lyrics and dance-til-dawn swing beat,”describes CMJ.
"A lively, unpredictable CD that will appeal to anyone who likes his/her jazz with a big dose of world music...", according to All Music Guide. Up front, Joe Ford, the Fort Apache Band’s alto sax star, stokes the fire alongside Benito’s effervescent piano. In back, nailing down classic meringue, rumba and mambo grooves, Asante’s thunderous five-foot carved drums lead his African hand drum congregation.
Irish America describes: “The Celtic Jazz Collective is stylish, sophisticated, and most importantly, swinging. This album is a must-have for jazz buffs who wish to explore music, for Irish music aficionados looking for a toe-hold onto jazz…ah, flip it: it’s a must-have, period.” Some of Ireland’s finest plus a smoking jazz rhythm section created a historic first. And, they made fun music.
Jazz Times says, "Sunny's voice is lovely, lush, liquid. Her timbre is reminiscent of Lena Horne; her phrasing recalls Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae. Hers is a brandy-rich sound with a velvet-smooth style, perfect for ballads such as 'Daydream' and 'Save Your Love For Me'."
“Kane’s penmanship…and her piano work is very subtle…a little gem,” as seen by JazzTimes. Rebecca is a multi-hued pianist and composer, ranging from bittersweet ballads to sly Latin toe-tappers. Down Beat loves her “…interesting shifts in mood and tempo…penchant for slowly unfolding melodies…bright, rippling solos.”
The Village Voice’s Gary Giddins picked this as one of his Best Jazz Discs of the Year. If you’re a fan of blues-steeped jazz with an unstoppable groove, you have to hear this CD.
