Yoko Miwa "Keep Talkin'"

Born In Japan, but now Boston based and a faculty member at Berklee College of Music, Yoko Miwa gives us a tour de force of big time chops, melodic sensibility, and impressive communication with her trio colleagues. Six of the eleven tunes are her own creations. I must say that it's a breath of fresh air to hear clearly stated melody lines and imaginative but controlled improvisation. Just the way it should be, one might say. I thought the outstanding cuts included Miwa's title tune and opener, a slick, fast paced blues, "Keep Talkin'". Other winners here were Monk's classic "In Walked Bud" and a rather rare Mingus creation called "Boogie Stop Shuffle". On all these and more, Yoko Miwa is definitely in the big leagues.

Self-produced; 2019; appx. 73 min.

Chuck Redd "Groove City"

This CD is well titled because as much as anything, Chuck Redd epitomizes the groove. A double threat guy equally skilled on vibes and drums, Redd has spent a career on the straight ahead highway. He's a believer in the real deal, and this CD once again provides proof. Redd's basic quartet includes John Di Martino, piano; Nicki Parrott, bass; Lewis Nash, drums; and on a few selections, Jerry Weldon, tenor sax. The eleven tune playlist includes several rarely heard (but most welcome) items like "The Great City", "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying", Billy Strayhorn's triumph "A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing", and Ornette Coleman's emotional opus "Lonely Woman". From the standard book, there's "All Or Nothing At All" as well as a ripping take on Monk's classic "Evidence". On all these and more, Chuck Redd and friends---again and with ease---find the groove. I think it must be in his DNA!

Self-produced; 2018; total 64 min.

Larry Fuller "Overjoyed"

Overjoyed is a completely fitting title for this former Seattle resident who follows the premise that it's okay to swing! Proof lies in Fuller's lengthy associations with Ray Brown and Jeff Hamilton, both of them among jazzdom's swingingest. Fuller is, to my ear, a disciple of a jazz god named Oscar Peterson. On this delicious CD, Fuller honors Oscar with Bossa Beguine, one of Oscar's choice but lesser known compositions. Keeping things in the family, he also pays tribute to bassist Brown with Ray's tune "Lined With A Groove". Among the standards here are delicately rendered choices like "How Long Has This Been Going On", "Mona Lisa", and "Never Let Me Go". And Fuller's trio, with Hassan Shakur on bass and Lewis Nash on drums, also finds time for a few from "The Real Book" in Wes Montgomery's "Fried Pies"; Ray Bryant's rarely heard "Cubano Chant"; and even the jazz hit "Got My Mojo Workin'". A few of Fuller's well crafted originals complete the album of twelve titles in all. As he has done on previous releases, Larry Fuller keeps the faith, playing great tunes within an honored jazz tradition. Capri Records does it again!

Capri Records; 2019; appx. 54 min.

Greg Abate "Gratitude: Stage Door Live @ The Z"

I've seen the name Greg Abate (pronounced Ah-BAH-tay) "just around the corner" in the jazz world for a number of years. But this is my first chance to put him to the test. He's a hard bopper to be sure and takes no prisoners in this exuberant live performance. Eight of the eleven tunes are his own creations and he blows four instruments here. I heard the likes of Phil Woods, Pepper Adams, Cannonball Adderley and even Richie Cole all hovering somewhere nearby. The two standards covered here couldn't be more different: Fats Waller's "Jitterbug Waltz" and Joe Henderson's "Inner Urge". Abate works flawlessly with a spirited rhythm section led by high flying pianist Tim Ray. The quartet is completed by bassist John Lockwood and drummer Mark Walker. This very versatile bop maven and his colleagues offer a swinging, satisfying performance. It's real deal jazz...no excuses and no pretense!

Whaling City Sound; 2019; 71:59

Coniece Washington "Shades Of Shirley Horn"

Not many would take on a project honoring singer-pianist Shirley Horn. She was the ultimate sensuous straight to your heart singer, and a pianist of great skill and feeling as well. So, Coniece Washington, thank you for honoring the music of Shirley Horn with this exceptional performance. I might add here that her accompaniment, led by the understated piano of Vince Evans, is very much like Shirley's long time trio mates. Some of the deeply felt tunes covered here include "Here's To Life", "The Island", "Dindi", "How Am I To Know", and "A Time For Love", to name a few. Shirley Horn was a jazz goddess with a one of a kind ability to reach the listener with her musical gift. Kudos to Coniece and friends for this lovely session in Shirley's honor.

Self-produced; 2019; appx. 60 min.

Barbosa-Lima "Delicado Carlos"

Most Latin or Brazilian recordings, as beautiful and exciting as they often are, don't get reviewed here because I consider them world or ethnic music rather than jazz. That may be my own "mishegas" but here's one that works as a gorgeous guitar recital of mostly familiar bossa and standard Latin fare like Tico Tico, Delicado, Manha De Carnaval, Samba De Orfeu and others. Barbosa-Lima works to perfection, both individually on some selections, and with fellow guitarist Larry Del Casale on others. The other decision which makes this session differ from most Latin fare, is the exclusion of highly percussive instrumentation. As a result, this comes off more as a very attractive guitar recital than anything else. The group is completed by piano, bass and percussion, but not every guy plays on every track. There are fifteen tunes in all and each is a joy to hear.

Zoho Music; 2019; appx. 51 min.

Mike Allen "Just Like Magic"

A new name to me, Mike Allen brings forth a very stately tenor sound rich in tradition. In this pianoless setting, Allen joins forces with two monsters of the Gotham midway, Peter Washington on bass and Lewis Nash on drums. You might remember a certain tenor player who was among the pioneers of a pianoless group; his name is Sonny Rollins. Allen and friends open with a Duke Pearson rarity, a medium tempo entry called "Big Bertha". The spirit of John Coltrane lurks nearby, as Allen and company perform a standard associated with Coltrane, "A Weaver Of Dreams", and "Miles' Mode", a Trane original. Two additional standards very reverently approached here are the Gershwin evergreen "Someone To Watch Over Me" and Duke Ellington's classic, "Solitude". Allen also delivers the goods with a few more of his creations in varying tempos and moods. The trio closes with a rarely heard Charles Mingus tune called "Jelly Roll". One might say that Mike Allen combines a sense of jazz and bop tradition with a contemporary creative edge. I think you'll find that it all works out very nicely.

Cellar Live; 2019; appx. 60 min.