Bob Powers

MARIETTA, OH, USA - Did you miss "Powerssound" as much as I hated not being able to write it? I thought not, but I'm a 55-year fan of jazz and -- generally speaking -- almost any kind of music that's done well will make me smile. You might catch me listening to Rick Dees on Sunday morning radio as he reveals the Pop and Rock Top 40, these days dominated heavily by hip-hop. I'm a fan of Outkast, a group that seems to be one of the best in urban music today. At times the band delivers a few tasty jazz moments in the space of one of their deliriously ditzy tunes.

But, in this weekly column, you'll find me again devoting lots of space to the latest in today's jazz, plus the reissues that return to those halcyon days of such musicians as Gerry Mulligan, Theolonius Monk, Charlie Parker, et al. I'm always open to suggestions from readers and would appreciate review CDs from the jazz record companies. I can't review unless you folks send them to me here in Marietta, Ohio.

(308 Fifth St., Marietta,OH 45750)

"Mulligan Meets Monk" (Riverside) presents a session from 1957 which finds the saxophone genius and the piano master in splendid form. The disc boasts an outstanding job of cleaning up the sound from the old vinyl material, with Gerry Mulligan performing superbly on his baritone saxophone. Theolonius, however, occasionally falls back into the background, when the stuff he plays should have been brought front and center, sharing the spotlight with the impeccable Mulligan.

Filling out the quartet are Shadow Wilson on drums and Wilbur Ware on the string bass.

"Mulligan Meets Monk" opens with the Monk classic, "Round Midnight" and continues through 10 of mostly Monk material, including three takes on "I Mean You" and two of "Straight, No Chaser."

This is music that never will tire out or grow old. If you want to feel the excitement of bebop at its best, grab a copy as soon as you can.

Favorites by Saisse

Although he's been recording and performing in America for years, "My Favorite Songs" (441 Records), Frenchman Philippe Saisse is new to my ears. His recent album should become a favorite for quiet times. Backing comes from bassist David Finck and drummer Scooter Warner.

The new album is the sixth from Saisse over a career now in its 25th year. He's not one of those bombastic fellows at the keyboards, but he maintains a great sense of rhythm and has done an excellent job in selecting the songs for this performance. Songs range from the Beatles perennial "Michelle" to the Seals & Croft classic, "Summer Breeze" The old Gilbert OíSullivan pop hit, "Naturally," indeed seems a natural for a light jazz treatment.

Saisse includes several of his own compositions and he plays vibes on the lushly romantic ballad, "Laura." All in all, Philippe Saisse seems deserving of greater fame. Heís definitely a good one, as musical as anyone could ask.

Berkman Does Well, But ...

Another name that fails to knock on my memory banks is that of pianist David Berkman. His fourth album for Palmetto Records, "Start Here, Finish There," shows what happens when the leader of a band lets one of the sidemen become too overwhelming. The result, as you might expect, turns out to be (musically) on shaky ground. Berkman, who began playing at age 8 in his home town of Cleveland, ?plays excellent jazz piano, but often he nearly goes unheard because of the saxophonist, the blaring and often irritating Dick Oatts.

Now I've heard Oatts perform on a number of other albums and he has the ability and jazz chops to please any ears that appreciate good jazz. But on this occasion, Oatts at times has all the grunts and groans of a newborn calf sh ut out from his mam's food supply. It's not a pretty sound.

I suggest you give a listen to any of Berkman's three earlier releases, especially "Home," which won inclusion on many best-of-year lists.?

Kiroro Saluted

One of the popular Japanese bands, Kiroro, receives a remarkable salute in the CD entitled "Kiroron" (441 Records). The CD consists of a collection of tunes taken from the Kiroro catalog, performed by some of the top jazz names in the business.

Since meeting and hearing Phil Woods live a number of years ago, I had the opportunity to chat with the wondrous alto saxophonist at a small night club in Columbus, Ohio, and listen to a couple of sets that memorable evening, then heard him perform on the stage of a large auditorium in Ohio's capital city a couple of days later. For me, he remains one of the best ever.?

Woods is featured on the "Kiroron" album, along with other top performers, including saxophonist David Sanborn, bassist Ron Carter, guitarist Romero Lubambo and vocalist Pamela Driggs.

Also featured are the excellent jazz pianist Roland Hanna, another fine pianist by the name of Leon Pendarvis.

Several of the songs include 19 violinists and a lush, full-bodied sound. Other tracks offer the small group setup and sizzle with enthusiasm. While narrow-minded listeners may object to the pop-sounding arrangements, I found plenty of material worth grooving on. This is very good music, worth your time and consideration.

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