Review: Tony Hightower | The New Standard
To take upon oneself the task of reviewing music, one must begin with simply listening. Not just for the instrument but every component that makes a recording session into something special. Sometimes it warrants a drive down the highway, accompanying a Saturday morning house cleaning or in some instances, a quiet place. Regardless of the locale, you approach each one with enthusiastic anticipation and pray the experience will be a pleasurable one.
In recent years there has been a cadre of singers who scour the Great American Songbook only to choose everyone’ favorite songs to record, leading the listener down a well-worn and tiresome road. However, there are an extraordinary few who hear something different and blaze new trails with the standards. I seek out those who choose to dip their proverbial ladles into the uncharted waters and successfully contribute impressive versions of great compositions and originals to the pantheon.
So, to step out and name a debut project The New Standard, in such revered footsteps as Herbie Hancock, takes not only faith but also a confidence in one’s ability to create something beyond ordinary. Unequivocally, this is what composer, arranger and vocalist Tony Hightower has accomplished with his penning of six original tunes, while taking out a loan from Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Eden Ahbez, and Thelonious Monk, thus making this an offering worthy of the title.
Throughout my Atlanta residency as a deejay I was privileged and honored to witness the maturation of the musicians and vocalists who keep the city alive with jazz. From this pool of talent Tony selected pianist Kenny Banks Jr., drummer Henry Conerway III and bassist Kevin Smith to be his principle rhythm section, interchanging pianists Phil Davis on “Minor Major”, Nick Rosen on “Close To You” and Mose Davis and Marcus Williams on “I Mean You”. It is evident he possessed clarity to hear the touch that is required to give each song new life.
Foresight is a gift that is given few and Mr. Hightower has blessed the world with an album of such magnitude. Enlisting Atlanta jazz royalty that defines the new face of the modern jazz generation, he brings the maturity of Kebbi Williams, Melvin Jones, Mike Burton, Dorran Thigpen, Frank Houston and Wilbert Williams to bear witness. If this is not enough to satiate your musical palate, he washes the orchestrations with the voices of Theresa Hightower, Natasha Brown, All Us Katz, Keasha Copeland, Sandra Miller, Donna Ector, Kelsie Broughton and Felicia Hardy.
As I listened to this project for the fourth, fifth and sixth time I never tired of hearing the “A” game this talented young man brought into the studio. Relentlessly he engulfs your senses with an accompaniment of strings by David Davidson, David Angell, Elizabeth Lamb and John Catchings. Wrap all this music up in a well-designed liner and you are told an equally compelling story through words and pictures, allowing you to take a peak into the mind of the man behind the music. I surmise, you will agree that this is a testament to his musical acumen and prowess.
The evidence lies before you. You only have to listen to the conversation to understand the brilliance of what you hear. Over a year ago, this young man said he was going to give me something I would enjoy. If this is what lies behind the marquee for the new standard, it was delivered as promised.
carl anthony | notorious jazz | november 30, 2014
Give A Gift Of Jazz ~ Share
#preserving genius
More Posts: bandleader,history,instrumental,jazz,music,review,vocal
Review: Sweet Lu Olutosin | Sweet Lu’s Blues
When pursuing dreams that extend far beyond the horizon of sight, the journey demands unwavering faith. This not only applies to the visionary but to the listener as well. So on a beautiful sunny afternoon I put my ear buds in and settled down with Sweet Lu’s Blues for what I anticipated would be a wonderful adventure in sound and color. From the very first note of Malcolm’s Song I was transported to a “Gay Paris!” street scene with dancers in colorful attire moving provocatively to Sweet Lu’s words.
Then ever so gently he slips into the romance of falling in love every day with the same woman, deftly followed by the promise of the bittersweet side of love in the blues when a man falls hard. Scatting through Call Him Blackjack he easily moves us to drift into the simple pleasures life has to offer to the adventurous. Turning his attention to the Sinatra classic he slows down to interpret Nancy With The Laughing Face and closing the project with the up-tempo of The Baron, a Latin beat under Be My Mamacita and the title track that had me bopping my head and tapping my foot.
I would do grave dishonor if I failed to give praise for the fine aggregation of musicians that comprise the Antonio Ciacca Quintet. Never the understatement, these voices will become familiar compliments to your ear as they place their signature on this project. The arrangements are fun, exciting and surprising with each track and as the title tune came to a close I unabashedly shouted “Applause, Applause!” to Lutalo Olutosin for a vision that unquestionably hit the sweet spot on the mark.
carl anthony | notorious jazz | november 15, 2014
Give A Gift Of Jazz ~ Share
#preserving genius
More Posts: bandleader,history,instrumental,jazz,music,review,vocal
Review: Gary Motley | de*par*ture
As I cruised down the highway immersed in my quiet time listening to this advanced offering by composer, pianist and educator Gary Motley, it was no surprise that I was witness to a de*par*ture from the mundane. From the line, this project fittingly takes off with a fast-paced Fits And Starts, and keeps pace into Someday Sunday. Suffice it to say it continues with the title track and moves easily through the balance of the eight tunes that comprise this work.
I was halfway through a most engaging escape when the voice of Alex Lattimore snapped me back to reality and my internal conversation rebooted. Not just listening to words, I found myself interacting with the lyrics of life. Arranging sound and rhythm like light and shadows of film noir, this consummate accompanist enhances the poignancy and sensitivity of Caught and Stay With Me that touches the heart of any relationship mired in the pursuit and promise of love.
With a project like this, one can only surmise that only schedules were the biggest obstacle in getting into the studio. Enlisting bassist Craig Shaw and drummer Terreon Gully, two fellow original members of The Swing Association, it is never more evident that Gary knew their magic had not been lost over time. One clearly hears the comfort of camaraderie in their performance, each playing off and with the other. Mix in the additional ingredients of lyricist/vocalist Veronica Motley, flautist Randy Hunter, and guitarist Dan Baraszu with the strings of the Vega Quartet and you have a perfect blend of talent.
What I discovered with this recording is there is no track order that would otherwise diminish the experience. In the days of wax they used to say, “drop the needle and let it play” which meant there was no need to skip over tracks. In Mr. Motley’s case, it is a departure, in that any order is just as delightful. Listen as you desire and I guarantee, you will play and recommend this work of art to friends for years to come.
carl anthony | notorious jazz | august 28, 2014
Give A Gift Of Jazz ~ Share
#preserving genius
More Posts: bandleader,history,instrumental,jazz,music,piano,review
Review: EC3 | It’s All About The Rhythm
Appropriately titled, It’s All About The Rhythm, the drummer you know as EC3 takes us on a whirlwind ride across the global rhythmic landscape. He does this because it is his obsession with jazz and his attire is reminiscent of yester-year when musicians were sharp dressed men.
Choosing to hang with pop, jazz, Latin, Broadway and Motown luminaries like Pedro Flores, Kurt Weill, Stevie Wonder, Frank Foster, Burt Bacharach and Mario Bauza as well as pianists Kenny Barron, Herbie Hancock and Cedar Walton who more than adequately provide the landscape to accentuate his talents.
But it is his arrangements that move us beyond the borders of the music constructed by their greatness and prompts multiple listens. His selection of musicians and the configurations he employs exhibit his playfulness within the madness. From trio to sextet, one begins to truly appreciate not only the individual contributions each musician has brought to the birth of this project but the genius behind the trap.
Surprises in this offering are weaved in the tapestry of the music taking you on an unexpected journey into the abyss. So to say he plays well with others is an understatement and I implore you to take a moment and put some enjoyment in your travels.
carl anthony | notorious jazz | october 13, 2013
Give A Gift Of Jazz ~ Share
#preserving genius
More Posts: bandleader,drums,history,instrumental,jazz,music,review
Review: Ernest Coleman | Her Eyes At Sunset
The title Her Eyes At Sunset ambiguously defines the listener’s journey. At first glance, Mr. Coleman’s choice of tunes appears to be indiscriminate, however, upon closer inspection one finds a carefully crafted playlist to delight the ear.
Ernest’s point of embarkation is a driving tempo with the title theme from the 1948 film The Night Has a Thousand Eyes, and yet, it is not surprising that he follows with the Gershwin’s They Can’t Take That Away From Me from the 1937 Astaire/Rogers vehicle Shall We Dance, done refreshingly as a quiet ballad. Combining the Latin rhythms of Jobim’s Waters of March, Romero’s Quinta Anauco and his original title track with the delivery of Chantae Cann on Estrada Branca is a happy madness.
The arrangement of Blue In Green is unprecedented as is the well-executed bass on the Bricusse/Newley composition Pure Imagination. If homework is a prerequisite for testing the musicianship of this excellent assemblage of players and voices, this project raises the bar of the listening experience, and thus, is no stranger to my Serenade To The City playlist.
carl anthony |serenade to the city | jazz 91.9fm wclk | july 28, 2011
Give A Gift Of Jazz ~ Share
#preserving genius
More Posts: bandleader,drums,history,instrumental,jazz,music,review