COVER -> POWERSSOUND
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Mayfield and Bill Summers have combined to head a band which doesn't restrict itself to what one would expect, given the band's name. There's plenty of music with a south-of-the-border feel. But there's much more to be heard during the 79-minute CD.
Percussionist Bill Summers, who has 40 years of experience as a musician, makes a good collaborator with Mayfield, who's still under 30. Performers on this album include some of the best of the jazz originators. The core band, besides Summers and Mayfield, consists of Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, Victor Adkins, Edwin Livingston and Yvette Summers.
The guests are some of modern music's best, including Irakere, Isaac Delgado, members of Burning Spear, Kermit Ruffins, Rebirth Jazz Band, Delfeayo Marsalis, Michael Ray, John Boutte, Coolbone and many others.
"New Congo Square" pulses with the beat from some of the most accomplished musicians working today. This is an album you can listen to all day, while hearing new angles with each playing.
Another Great Trumpeter
While talking about great trumpet players, admirers of the wonder lips of the current jazz scene probably will want to include the name of Darren Barrett. The talented Barrett grabs the gold ring in his new release, "Deelings" (J Curve Records).Barrett possesses most of the criteria for greatness. While "Deelings" doesn't quite reach for the stars, Barrett shows that he has the stuff required for attaining the label of "damned fine." Fronting a quintet that includes Jimmy Greene on tenor sax, Aaron Goldberg on piano, Reuben Rogers on bass, and John Lamkin on the drum kit, Barrett shows the ability to play an out-and-out sizzler, then to sound oh-so-pretty on ballads such as "There Will Never Be Another You" and "I'm Glad There Is You."
The distinguished jazz writer, Orrin Keepnews, supplies the album notes and I recommend you read every line. He solves the mystery of the new album's title, "Deelings."
Barrett told Keepnews that his nickname is Dee, and during the album he had a hard time in dealing with everything. There were problems galore with the recording sessions, but Barrett explains, "we dealt with it."
You'll find dealing with "Deelings" is no problem at all.
The Best Brit
Until this album arrived on my doorstep a couple of weeks ago, I had never heard of Ian Shaw, who's called Britain's Best Jazz Singer. But my ignorance doesn't mean he's not worth hearing."Soho Stories" (Milestone Records) contains a generous serving of the talent of Ian Shaw. He's good. But the best, even in smallish Great Britain? That's for you to decide. I'd say you should hear "Soho Stories" and give it a fair trail.
Backed by a number of jazz's finest, including the superb Cedar Walton on piano, the always-busy Eric Alexander on tenor, and the majestic Lou Soloff on trumpet, the album contains some lesser known tunes, along with a couple of excellent old standards. One standout is the Tom Waits song, "Rainbow Sleeves."
Satchmo's Follower
Few musicians have attempted to emulate the music of Louis Armstrong. You can't improve on perfection, obviously. But Kermit Ruffins, while occasionally playing a few bars just like Armstrong would have done a half century ago, manages to make the listener feel like Ruffins' mother must have been playing Armstrong records the night that her little boy was born.Earlier albums from Ruffins, who makes his headquarters in New Orleans, seemed all party music, with not much authentic jazz breaking through. Forget all that with his new album, "1533 St. Phillip Street" (Basic Street Records). Ruffins pays homage to Armstrong with an album filled with music made famous by Satchmo.
You can't go wrong with such songs as "Old Miss Blues," "Drop Me Off in New Orleans" and "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams." Ruffins' back-up band never misses a step. Dr. Michael White plays the clarinet with the usual finesse, while the One-A-Chord Gospel Singers makes a memorable contribution.
The album is computer enhanced, so when you put it on your computer, pictures and information are yours.
Let the Ladies Shine
You can count on Concord Records to produce some fascinating compilations. Their latest is "Concord's Women in Jazz: The New Century."Ten of the best musicians in the world, jazz or otherwise, are heard in cuts from record albums. The album would make a terrific way to introduce yourself to performers you aren't familiar with, and to be reminded that some of the elders in women's jazz are performing just beautifully, thank you very much.
Here's the list: Rosemary Clooney, Karryn Allyson, Niki Harris, Susannah McCorkle,Diane Schurr, Sheila E., Nnenna Freelon, Monica Mancini, Marian McPartland and Keely Smith.
