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Critiques from our Archives |
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Jack Bruce
Shadows In The Air
Robbie Ameen, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez (dr), Richie Flores (perc)
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 7
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Cream war-horses "White Room" and "Sunshine Of Your Love" are reworked with flashes of subtle Latin spice, but elsewhere drummers Robbie Ameen and Horacio Hernandez are given total freedom. Ameen is the anchor here, while Hernandez blows amazing flurries of sparks overhead. But the two drummers think as one throughout. A lesson in slow burn, Afro-Cuban style. (Sanctuary) |
Jack Bruce
More Jack Than God
Robby Ameen, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 6
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Bruce has played with many drumming legends, and on More Jack Than God he makes an interesting choice with trapsters ROBBY AMEEN and HORACIO "EL NEGRO" HERNANDEZ, along with conga player RICHIE FLORES. At times the section, who Bruce earlier worked with in Kip Hanrahan?s band, sound huge. "Bizniz" shows off their distinct parts on a slow 3/4. "Ricin" starts out beautifully de-constructed, and "The Night That Used To Be Mine" is a slow 6/8 that flows nicely under Bruce?s melodramatic vocal. No complaint with the playing from the percussion team, though the music does seem strained to accommodate this much hitting. |
Jack Irons
Attention Dimension
Jack Irons
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 8
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Playing everything from marimba to timpani to synth, former Pearl Jam/Chili Peppers drummer Jack Irons has created a remarkably individualistic statement of intent that is anything but ?a drummer?s album.? Drawing on Middle Eastern, African tribal, electronic, and rock music, Irons crosses cultures with a knowing hand and such skill that Attention Dimension sounds like the inspired debut of some musical wunderkind, not the effort of a grizzled veteran. Irons? drumming is intricate and multifaceted, whether he?s playing a drum corps cadence or a contrapuntal polyrhythmic tribal pattern. But it?s his deeply layered and swirling compositions that stick with you. |
Jaco Pastorius Big Band
Word Of Mouth Revisited
Mark Griffith
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 8
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Many tributes to Weather Report?s revolutionary bassist have come along, but none are as meaningful and inspired as this project. Jaco?s former Ft. Lauderdale employer Peter Graves and his orchestra, a smoking big band, bring the iconoclast?s music to life. Alongside some of today?s most revered electric bass players, drummer MARK GRIFFITH drives the outstanding group of players with a forceful and passionate swing and jazz-rock attitude. Jaco himself would have jumped all over this stuff, taking it to another dimension, as he did with this band in his early years. |
Jaki Byard Quartet, The
The Last From Lennie's
Alan Dawson
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 6
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ALAN DAWSON remains relatively under-recorded for his lofty stature; any new tracks from the drum master are eagerly welcomed. This previously unreleased set is culled from a1965 date that spawned two earlier, highly acclaimed "Live From Lennie?s" LPs. Albeit not Byard?s most polished jazz piano recording, the CD?s live intensity prickles the hairs. These guys are in the zone and taking chances. Along with Joe Farrell (saxes, flute) and George Tucker (bass), Dawson?s razor accuracy and fervent swing gobble up triple-espresso tempos. The possessed Byard hurls curveballs while Dawson rallies to every challenge. Another worthy addition to Dawson?s stellar legacy. |
Jason Crosby
Four Chords And Seven Notes Ago
Jeff Snipe and Dave Diamond
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 8
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On Four Chords..., Jason Crosby shines on keys, trumpet, and violin, and his playing and writing combines the eclectic flair and sophistication of the new Southern fusion. Drummers JEFF SIPE and DAVE DIAMOND are game for all the different spins: The first three songs veer from avant-garde to smooth Southern soul to Zappa-ish Latin, yet somehow the stew works. Diamond?s sticking on "Out Of The Box" is pure Headhunters funk, laying perfectly with Crosby?s clavinet. And Sipe is a premier jamming, conjuring drummer who can burn on a dime ("Bumblebutt"), sneak in the subtle licks ("Georgie?s Conscience"), and lay down a mean groove ("Love?s In Need"). |
Jawbox
My Scrapbook Of Fatal Accidents
Adam Wade, Zack Barocas
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 7
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The now defunct Jawbox was always out of step with the alternative-on-the-cusp-of-the-mainstream crowd prevalent in the ?90s. This reissued 22-track compilation of live songs, covers, and the like is great evidence of their powers. While the band was certainly a product of its time, it stands apart largely due to the rhythmic intensity of drummers ADAM WADE (1989-92) and ZACK BAROCAS (1992-97). Straight-shooter Wade brewed up bubbling beats that co-mingled with Kim Coletta?s grinding bass notes, while Barocas elevated such melodic garage-ish anthems as "Apollo Amateur" and "Under Glass" with juicy, jazzy punk grooves. The music doesn?t quit, even if the band did. |
Jazz Is Dead
Great Sky River
Rod Morgenstein (dr)
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 7
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JID?s debut, Blue Light Rain, covered some of The Dead?s long-retired trickier tunes, and Laughing Water was a song-by-song retelling of 1973?s Wake Of The Flood LP. Now the live Great Sky River wisely showcases in-concert Dead staples like ?China Cat Sunflower.? Rod Morgenstein is a dynamic replacement for JID founder Billy Cobham, and stokes the heat under the incredible Jimmy Herring. Rod?s spot-on 7/4 solo in ?Estimated Prophet? brings a high-octane new dimension to a crunchy classic. (www.zebradisc.com) |
Jeff "Tain" Watts
Bar Talk
Jeff "Tain" Watts
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 8
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With his debut, Citizen Tain, Jeff Watts shook off the dust of the "drummer only" label and entered the realm of composer made good. Citizen featured the expected rhythmic fireworks, but also showed Watts to be a keen tunesmith. Bar Talk again highlights Watts? melodic talents, but pushes the music much further. |
Jeff "Tain" Watts
Detained at the Blue Note
Jeff "Tain" Watts
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 8
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Anyone who?s experienced JEFF ?TAIN? WATTS live inevitably walks away reeling in both admiration and disbelief. This modern jazz giant has the uncanny ability to blend the intellectual with the visceral, imbedding complex polyrhythms with a deep sense of swing. On his recent recording, Detained At The Blue Note, Tain really lets loose, capturing the true magic of his artistry on disc. Backed by an all-star cast (including altoist Kenny Garrett), Tain and crew pull out all the stops. From the opening odd-meter vamp of ?107 Steps,? to Tain?s unexpected vocals on ?. . . Like a Rose,? Detained is a reminder of what jazz is supposed to be. |
Jeff Coffin Mu'tet
Go-Round
Tom Giampietro (dr)
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 7
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Tom Giampietro nimbly holds down the straight-ahead fort for the Jeff Coffin Mu?tet, always swinging smartly and smoothly. The music is mostly inside; the Mu?tet doesn?t take tons of chances on Go-Round. There is one Ornette-ish composition on the record, though, that is handled with the joy the music deserves. Giampietro offers a great feel overall, and he has a killer press roll to boot. The drumming is musical and varied, subtle and bold, swinging and grooving. ?Tall And Lanky? features a New Orleans second-line march, and there are a number of tunes where Giampietro handles the brushes with grace and dexterity. A fine performance from this Nashville-based drummer. (Compass) |
Jelly Jam, The
2
Rod Morgenstein
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 8
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The Jelly Jam, one of King?s X guitarist/vocalist Ty Tabor?s side projects, features Dream Theater bassist John Myung and the graceful, ageless ROD MORGENSTEIN on drums. At this point, Morgenstein has to be considered one of the greatest all-around drummers ever. With his feel, advanced techniques, and highly musical style, it would be hard to imagine more perfect ideas than what he?s developed for this music. Beatle-esque vocals, powerful pop hooks, adventurous musicianship?The Jelly Jam is what top-notch pop music is made of. |
Jeroen Elfferich
Music In Rhythm
Jeroen Elfferich
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 8
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Drummer JEROEN ELFFERICH?s solo CD is filled with exciting music and an approach that will make you step back and look at your kit. Each of these seventeen short improvisations explores one or two aspects of the drumset: Track 1 is just snare drum, Track 3 is snare and floor tom, etc. Far from limiting, these scenarios focus Elfferich, allowing him to really explore the sounds of the drumset. Stylistically, Elfferich draws on many sources, including jazz and African-related rhythms. Dynamic and musical, with flawless technique?some of these pieces should be transcribed?this CD begs the question, Is the whole greater than the sum of its parts? (citi@worldonline.nl) |
Jim Cifelli New York Nonet
Tunnel Vision
Tim Horner
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 7
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Contrary to the title, trumpeter Jim Cifelli clearly sees the big picture with engaging arrangements stressing a sumptuous ensemble sound. The jazz nonet?s third and best CD swings more effortlessly than ever. Strong soloing here from Joel Frahm?s muscular tenor, bad boy guitarist Pete McCann, and the incisive melodicism of Cifelli?s warm horn. Longtime on many "deserving wider recognition" lists, drummer TIM HORNER keeps the band on popping edge with his commanding, infectious cymbal ride. He smartly exploits the virtues of a "little big band" format, delivering drive while avoiding clutter. Good taste and focus from the whole nine. |
Jing Chi
The Many Faces Of Vinnie
Vinnie Colaiuta
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 6
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Three tracks stand out on the latest CD from blues-funk-fusion trio Jing Chi: Jimmy Haslip, Robben Ford, and VINNIE COLAIUTA offer time-tumbling insouciance and soloing ferocity over a programmed ostinato in ?Chi Town.? Colaiuta?s ?Hidden Treasure? is a full-bore exploration of the master drummer?s interests, rolling through Karizma-like grooves, Porcaro-ish shuffles, a Latinized drum ?n? bass middle, and consummate metric modulation, all assisted by his Logic/Reason programming skills. And closer ?Tangled Up? imagines The Allman Brothers playing Alan Holdsworth arrangements, a blistering party of fills and surging blues licks. The most well-balanced Jing Chi release yet. |
John La Barbera Big Band
On The Wild Side
Joe La Barbera
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 10
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Buddy Rich fans will rejoice that this CD includes John La Barbera?s arrangement of "Walk On The Wild Side Suite," which was a staple of Buddy?s live set but was never recorded. Drummer JOE LA BARBERA, who hasn?t been recorded in a big band setting since his days with Woody Herman, drives the band with authority and backs soloists with the sensitivity he displayed in The Bill Evans Trio. Traditional big band recordings don?t get any better than this combination of great charts and inspired musicianship. (www.jazzcompass.com) |
John Patitucci
Communion
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 8
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This aptly titled record is a happy marriage of some of the brightest talents in contemporary Latin, classically influenced, and neo-bop jazz, including Branford Marsalis, Chris Potter, and Brad Mehldau. The cross-cultural percussion team of MARC QUINONES and HORACIO "EL NEGRO" HERNANDEZ churns out silky Afro-Cuban grooves while propelling beautiful sax and scat leads. BRIAN BLADE also appears. (Concord) |
John Surman & Jack DeJohnette
Invisible Nature: Live In Tampere And Berlin
Jack DeJohnette
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 8
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JACK DEJOHNETTE is following in the footsteps of his friend, the late Stu Martin, who recorded a live duet with saxophonist Surman at Woodstock Town Hall years ago. The current album bears similarities--an ambient sound and frisky experimentation--but keeps the reins on the energy level. Surman is playing East-meets-West horn lines that would charm a snake rather than provoke it. Mostly improvised, Invisible Nature is infinitely more listenable than a spate of recent extemporised jazz releases. |
Johnny Vidacovich
Vidacovich
Johnny Vidacovich
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 7
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In "Coffee," Vidacovich expounds on his love of the brown nectar. But that?s readily obvious from the charged-up, edgy, quirky energy on this vibrant disc. As always, the drummer/leader delivers hip, fun listening with his mix of New Orleans second-line grooves, fawnk, and explosive jazz chops. Johnny?s beat poet-like "vocals" are an acquired taste, but the humor keeps it aloft. The formats are varied, rotating reeds, keys, guitar, bass, and some absolutely killer sousaphone. A member of Crescent City?s drum royalty, Mr. V plays here with spontaneous, dog-like eagerness. He?s a kick. (www.JohnnyVidacovich.com) |
Johnny Wishbone
Make It Nice
Doug (dr), Springs (perc, samples, turntables)
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 7
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Things are moving from the opening track, thanks to Doug?s upbeat set work and a bongo breakdown courtesy of Springs. The verse of ?Hot Dog? is a nice example of the laid-back momentum that the interlocking rhythms of this group create. Mellow guitar/drum unison licks float midway through ?Funk Punch.? And check out ?Yo Yonsio? for some funky ghost note?laden set playing. (Six Second Blackbelt) |
Jon Hazilla
Mastering The Art Of Brushes
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Media Type: Book/CD
RATING: 8
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Written by resident faculty members , Berklee Press books offer time-proven, student-tested material. Professor John Hazilla presents a clear, smart, well-diagrammed approach to brush patterns, exercises, and techniques. The emphasis is on swing, from a (deceptively) straight-four ballad pulse to custom patterns borrowed from masters Elvin and Philly Joe. The CD offers concise demonstrations as well as play-along tracks featuring upright bass. There?s plenty of technical challenge to keep readers busy. But Hazilla should be applauded for steering students towards the important focus in brush artistry: The many variations of physical patterns are not for technical trickery but for pulling endless shades of sound out of the same rhythmic patterns. (Berklee Press) |
Jon Reshard
22
Tony Royster, Jr.
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 8
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For a quick check on what young drum phenom TONY ROYSTER JR. is up to as he grows toward his late teens, find a copy of 22. (You?ll also be getting an early look at Reshard, a formidable young bassist.) "22" shows off Royster?s innate sense of groove, musical mischevousness, and ability to rapid-fire the fusion. Tony swings a silky 6/8 on "Almost There," then trip-hops with some sweet hi-hat sticking on "What?s The Matter." Royster certainly delivers the goods for all you drumheads too: There are a couple moments when you?ll feel like you did the first time you saw Jordan dunk. (Segue Productions 904-928-1439) |
Judas Priest
Metalogy
Dave Holland
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 10
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Judas Priest have always featured a ferocious and somewhat signature drum formula (even though they?ve had so many guys behind the kit). The four CDs in this lavish box set, which was planned around the time Priest reunited with original singer Rob Halford, presents remastered album tracks, B-sides, previously unreleased live gems, and a newly unearthed demo track. Especially killer is the drumming of DAVE HOLLAND, who played with the band from 1980?s British Steel through 1988?s Ram It Down, and the busier SCOTT TRAVIS, who joined for ?90?s Painkiller. Both complemented Priest?s propulsive dual guitars and Halford?s soaring scream. A DVD showcasing a thunderous ?82 gig, as well as a beefy booklet, are included. An immense offering from the Metal Gods. |
Jughead
Jughead
Gregg Bissonette
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 8
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This CD is going to make me lose my hearing, since I can?t help but crank up the catchy melodic punk/pop tunes that Jughead puts out. With a bashing surf-punk vibe, GREGG BISSONETTE proves he truly cares about the music, never taking his overqualified chops beyond what the songs cry out for. With the extreme talents of Ty Tabor (King?s X), Derek Sherinian (Planet X), and Gregg?s brother Matt Bissonette, here?s hoping this is one indie-label super-band project that stays together and tours. |
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