Uninvisible is further than ever from conventional jazz organ. While blues and funk influences are evident throughout the album, they float on a sea of shadows. Sound sources are obscure or exotic; on “Pappy Check” innovative scratching by turntablist DJ Olive creates an impression of African percussion more than…

Although Judi Silvano shows that she can sing words beautifully, the emphasis on this adventurous set (her debut as a leader) is on her wordless vocalizing. With the assistance of guitarist Vic Juris, bassist Drew Gress, drummer Bob Meyer, and sometimes her husband Joe Lovano (on tenor and, on…

Blue Note continues its intriguing series of jazz recordings offering beginning to end covers of influential ’70s pop albums with Fareed Haque’s masterful take on Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s Deja Vu, which draws upon the classical guitarist’s jazz fusion chops as well as the Latin and Middle Eastern…

A casual listen might suggest that Floratone is a new Bill Frisell project (and that would be mostly correct), except every indication is that this is a fully collaborative project between Frisell, drummer Matt Chamberlain, and Tucker Martine and Lee Townsend. Composition credits are all shared and they all…

Marcus Printup gained his initial recognition for his playing with pianist Marcus Roberts’ group. His second Blue Note recording as a leader features his attractive trumpet in a quintet with Roberts, the Paul Gonsalves-inspired tenor of Stephen Riley, bassist Reuben Rogers and the young drummer Jason Marsalis. Printup at…

In this bright and accessible effort from one of the best young trumpeters on the scene, Printup mixes up originals with standards. The fact that his tunes complement works by Rodgers & Hart (“Have You Met Miss Jones”) and Fats Waller (“Ain’t Misbehavin’”) so well should key you in…

Trumpeter Marcus Printup’s debut as a leader in 1994 followed recordings as a part of the University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Accompanied by four other promising musicians in the early days of their careers, including pianist Eric Reed, alto saxophonist Walter Blanding,…

  Karl Denson wants you to dance to his music. That’s why the former Greyboy Allstars frontman named his first solo album Dance Lesson #2. The disc is a collection of funky, soul-driven tracks highlighted byDenson‘s fiery extended saxophone solos. Like a true student of jazz, Denson is always experimenting with new collaborations. Instead of…

Soul Manifesto is a sharp departure from the advanced post-bop of Jones’ previous Blue Note outing, The Undiscovered Few. Embracing his early funk and soul-jazz roots, Jones keeps it simple and relentlessly groovy this time, bringing on board organist Dr. Lonnie Smith, bassist Lonnie Plaxico (playing electric throughout), drummer…

This is possibly pianist Geri Allen’s most advanced release. Always a pianist with her own voice, the increasingly original Allen performs three atmospheric piano solos, including a version of Ron Carter’s “Little Waltz,” during which she adds a little bit of synthesizer. There is a duet with percussionist Cyro…