Mostrando postagens com marcador Jim Beard. Mostrar todas as postagens
Mostrando postagens com marcador Jim Beard. Mostrar todas as postagens

12.6.24

PHILIP CATHERINE – Guitar Groove (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Belgian guitarist Catherine has had an erratic recording career, bouncing between fusion, rock, and jazz, but his enormous talent has never been in question. This CD probably brings his abilities into clearer focus than previous ones, buoyed by keyboardist Jim Beard, electric bass guitarist Alphonso Johnson, and drummer Rodney Holmes. Catherine wrote all but one of these thirteen cuts, a nice take of the classic ballad "Stardust" with Black on Fender Rhodes. The best tracks are in the front half of the recording. "Merci Afrique" has a groovy beat with ultra-bright chords from Catherine's spare guitar and piano and is a great tune. A chord laden melody on "Sunset Shuffle" is a swing-rock amalgam. Inventive bass/guitar unison on the easy swing of the title track with Wes Montgomery-like chords and a darker ballad, "For Wayne and Joe," are dedicated to Messrs. Shorter & Zawinul, big influences on Catherine in the '70s and through the '90s. As a matter of fact, this rhythm section is Shorter's. There are four sambas; moody, introspective, heavy unison staccato accents inform "Good Morning Bill," while deliberate but breezy dynamics center guitar and piano crisscrossing during "Hello George." A reverential poppish mode sets up "To My Sister," and "Blue Bells" is slow but highly melodic. Four others are pretty tunes. The Rhodes-driven "Chinese Lamp" is Christmasy, "Here and Now" is meditational, and, on acoustic guitar, "Nuances" (not Django Reinhardt's) is a power ballad, while "Simply" is stated sweetly with distinction. Some day Catherine will release the out-and-out jazz recording the world knows he is capable of. This one comes very close. Michael G. Nastos
Part A : Groove    
1    Merci Afrique    4:47
 Philip Catherine
2    Sunset Shuffle    4:08
 Philip Catherine
3    Guitar Groove    6:22
 Philip Catherine
4    Good Morning Bill    5:07
 Philip Catherine
5    Hello George    5:10
 Philip Catherine
6    To My Sister    6:18
 Philip Catherine
7    Chinese Lamp    5:14
 Philip Catherine
Part B : Quiet Moments    
8    Stardust 3:00
 Hoagy Carmichael, Mitchell Parish
9    Here And Now    3:00
 Philip Catherine
10    Nuances    3:33
 Philip Catherine
11    Simply    2:15
 Philip Catherine
12    For Wayne And Joe    3:45
 Philip Catherine
13    Blue Bells    5:28
 Philip Catherine
Credits :
Drums – Rodney Holmes
Electric Bass – Alfonso Johnson
Guitar – Philip Catherine
Keyboards – Jim Beard

27.4.21

MIKE STERN - Time in Place (1989) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Guitarist Mike Stern's music has often been a little difficult to classify, featuring strong improvisations, the sound and power of rock, and elements of funk, R&B and sometimes pop. For his second recording as a leader, Stern is joined by either Bob Berg or Michael Brecker on tenor, keyboardist Jim Beard, electric bassist Jeff Andrews, drummer Peter Erskine and percussionist Don Alias; Don Grolnick sits in on organ during "No Notice." The music (seven Stern originals) ranges from the rhythmic to the more sophisticated and features plenty of the leader's high-powered guitar. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1    Gossip    5:59
Mike Stern
2    Time In Place    6:49
Mike Stern
3    Before You Go    5:31
Mike Stern
4    No Notice    6:40
Mike Stern
5    After All    7:36
Mike Stern
6    Four Shades    5:04
Mike Stern
7    Chromazone    7:42
Mike Stern
Credits:
Drums – Peter Erskine
Electric Bass, Fretless Bass – Jeff Andrews
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Organ – Don Grolnick (tracks: 4)
Percussion – Don Alias
Producer – Steve Khan
Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker (tracks: 1, 7)
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Bob Berg

MIKE STERN - Jigsaw (1989) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This is a fairly typical Mike Stern fusion date, featuring his rocking guitar on seven of his pieces. Stern is joined by his usual sidemen -- tenor saxophonist Bob Berg, keyboardist Jim Beard, electric bassist Jeff Andrews, either Peter Erskine or Dennis Chambers on drums and percussionist Manolo Badrena -- and plays with plenty of fire, yet a good amount of restraint. Michael Brecker is a guest on "Chief," jamming on his fairly anonymous-sounding EWI. A decent effort, easily recommended to fans of the more adventurous rock guitarists. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1. Another Way Around 6:25
Mike Stern
2. Loose Ends 6:11
Mike Stern
3. To Let You Know 6:30
Mike Stern
4. Jigsaw 7:06
Mike Stern
5. Chief  7:45
Mike Stern
6. Rhyme or Reason 5:46
Mike Stern
7. Kwirk 6:58
Mike Stern
Credits :
Mike Stern – Guitar
Jim Beard – Keyboard, Synthesizer
Peter Erskine – Drums (except tracks 1, 4, 5)
Dennis Chambers – Drums (tracks 1, 4, 5)
Manolo Badrena – Bongo, Shaker
Don Alias – Percussion
Jeff Andrews – Bass
Bob Berg – Saxophone
Michael Brecker – Saxophone

MIKE STERN - Odds or Evens (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is a powerhouse date of high-powered fusion, mixing together the sound of rock with the musicianship and improvising of jazz. With the assistance of tenor saxophonist Bob Berg, keyboardist Jim Beard and a rhythm section, guitarist Stern jams through a set of originals that serve as jumping-off devices for fairly long solos. The musicians really stretch themselves within the idiom and even the quieter numbers are full of intensity. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1    Keys    7:28
Mike Stern
2    D.C.    7:40
Mike Stern
3    Common Ground    6:05
Mike Stern
4    Odds Or Evens    7:08
Mike Stern
5    Seven Thirty    6:26
Mike Stern
6    If You Say So    7:36
Mike Stern
7    Sandbox 3:59
Leni Stern
8    Walkie Talkie 6:57
Mike Stern
Credits:
Bass – Anthony Jackson (tracks: 2, 4, 6), Lincoln Goines (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 8)
Drums – Ben Perowsky (tracks: 1, 5, 8), Dennis Chambers (tracks: 2, 3, 4, 6)
Percussion – Don Alias
Piano, Synthesizer, Producer – Jim Beard
Saxophone – Bob Berg

MIKE STERN - Is What It Is (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Mike Stern is one of the more creative fusion guitarists, playing with the power of rock but often taking sophisticated improvisations. On this passionate set (which consists of nine of his originals), Stern is joined by the keyboards of Jim Beard, bassist Will Lee, Dennis Chambers or Ben Perowsky on drums and (on three songs apiece) the tenors of Michael Brecker and Bob Malach. Overall this is one of Mike Stern's better recordings. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. Swunk - 7:53
Mike Stern
2. A Little Luck - 6:36
Mike Stern   
3. What I Meant To Say - 6:20  
Mike Stern   
4. Showbiz - 5:43
Mike Stern
5. Believe It  - 4:32  
Mike Stern
6. Wherever You Are - 5:32
Mike Stern
7. Ha Ha Hotel - 6:10  
Mike Stern  
8. Signs - 7:48
Mike Stern
9. 55 Dive - 5:44
Mike Stern
Credits :
Mike Stern - Guitar
Michael Brecker - Saxophone
Jim Beard - Synthesizers, Piano, Hammond Organ,
Wurlitzer Piano, Production, Additional Engineering
Will Lee - Bass
Dennis Chambers - Drums
Ben Perowsky - Drums
Harvie Swartz - Acoustic Bass
Bob Malach - Saxophone

MIKE STERN - Between the Lines (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Mike Stern does what he does very, very well. He has carved out a unique niche for himself among modern fusion guitarists, a vision that combines funk and R&B bass/drum grooves with skittish melodies often involving extended chord fragments. Stern's lead voice is one of the most distinctive in the genre as well, as his chorused and sometimes distorted tone is always prominently displayed. Stern is joined on this 1996 offering by frequent collaborator Bob Malach, a tenor player with a particular talent for laying screaming lines on top of smoking drum grooves as well as ably doubling and bringing to life Stern's often bookish and theoretical melodies. Completing the band are twin rhythm sections, consisting either of Dave Weckl and Jeff Andrews or Lincoln Goines and Dennis Chambers. Like many of Stern's recordings, the problems lie generally in the sameness of the arrangements and the relatively forgettable nature of some of these songs. Although they are all thoughtfully composed, they sometimes tend to run together a bit in the mind of the listener. Jim Beard's keyboard textures also could be done without, as they add a distracting sheen to the compositions. But there has always been this sort of tension in Stern's work between the obvious and the unexpected. Take, for example, "Lose the Suit," which features an extremely funky intro and a great Stern solo, as well as an extremely predictable bridge that almost sounds as if it could be the theme song to a long-running soap opera. Any lingering sense of treacle is dispelled once Stern kicks in the fuzz, however, and lays into the track. Not the best thing he's ever done, but quite good, and sure to please fans. by Daniel Gioffre
Tracklist:
1    Sunnyside    7:27
Mike Stern
2    The Vine    6:27
Mike Stern
3    Wing And A Prayer    6:37
Mike Stern
4    Lose The Suit    8:43
Mike Stern
5    You Never Know    7:13
Mike Stern
6    Tell Me    6:01
Mike Stern
7    With A Twist    6:37
Mike Stern
8    True Enough    6:43
Mike Stern
9    Pages    6:43
Mike Stern
10    Bait Tone Blues    7:37
Mike Stern
Credits:
Bass – Jeff Andrews, Lincoln Goines (tracks: 6, 7)
Drums – Dave Weckl, Dennis Chambers (tracks: 6, 7)
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards, Producer – Jim Beard
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Malach

MIKE STERN - Play (1999) APE (image+.cue), lossless

 Mike Stern is a preeminent guitarist for two key reasons: One, he can play all styles very well and with equal command; and two, he plays very well with all other players. He always shows great respect for those with whom he is playing and gives them each the time and space to develop their musical ideas. Stern displays these two qualities in abundance on Play. Several notable guests join Stern and his core band for this release. Guitarists John Scofield and Bill Frisell and drummer Dennis Chambers each team with Stern on several tracks. If you enjoy straight-ahead jazz, listen to Stern and Scofield on the title track, or mix in Bob Malach's tenor sax on "Outta Town." If you like your guitar music slightly more spacious and lyrical, try Stern and Frisell on the hypnotic "Blue Tone" or the pensive "All Heart." Finally, if you want to turn up the heat and move into some rock/funk-influenced fusion, then check out the groovy "Tipatina's," the bold rocker "Link," or the intensely funky "Big Kids." It is no surprise, based on his other work, that Chambers, in particular, gives the band a kick in the musical pants inspiring bassist Lincoln Goines to enjoy the ride. Play is an outstanding guitar album from the highly accomplished and incredibly versatile Mike Stern. It is highly recommended. by Brian Bartolini  
Tracklist:
1    Play    7:15
 Mike Stern
2    Small World    5:23
 Mike Stern
3    Outta Town    6:09
 Mike Stern
4    Blue Tone    6:43
 Mike Stern
5    Tipatina's    6:35
 Mike Stern
6    All Heart    6:22
 Mike Stern
7    Frizz    5:41
 Mike Stern
8    Link    6:50
 Mike Stern
9    Goin' Under    4:10
 Mike Stern
10    Big Kids    7:29
 Mike Stern
Credits:
Bass – Lincoln Goines
Drums [Pearl], Cymbal [Zildjian] – Dennis Chambers (tracks: 5, 8, 9)
Drums, Cymbal [Zildjian] – Ben Perowsky (tracks: 1 to 4, 6, 7, 10)
Guitar – Bill Frisell (tracks: 4, 6, 7, 10), John Scofield (tracks: 1 to 3)
Guitar [Yamaha] – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6, 8, 9)
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Malach (tracks: 3, 5, 6, 8, 9)

MIKE STERN - Voices (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Most of Mike Stern's albums have been 100 percent instrumental; as a rule, he doesn't use vocalists because his guitar does all of the "singing." But Voices is an exception -- a highly engaging and memorable exception. This surprising and totally unexpected effort finds a 48-year-old Stern using wordless vocals in a manner that brings to mind fellow fusion guitarists Pat Metheny and Al DiMeola. Think of Metheny on Letter From Home and Still Life (Talking), or DiMeola on Orange and Blue, and one will know the type of approach that Stern is going for this time. While the wordless vocals that Stern uses on Voices add a lot to the album, his guitar is still the focal point. This isn't the type of project in which the leader brings in an acclaimed jazz singer like Dianne Reeves or Kitty Margolis and features her prominently on standards -- that isn't what he was going for. Ultimately, the vocalists who Stern employs (who include Arto Tuncboyaciyan and Elizabeth Kantomanou) are there to serve and compliment his guitar. If Voices were a cake, the vocalists would be the icing; the album still would have been meaningful even without them, but there's no doubt that they add a lot to it. Voices, which contains some of Stern's most lyrical and melodic playing, is full of world music influences. African and Spanish elements are incorporated, and Brazilian music is an especially strong influence. Going back to the Metheny and DiMeola comparisons, this album's world music influences will inevitably inspire comparisons to similar albums by those fellow fusion guitarists. But Stern is always his own man and his guitar playing never fails to sound distinctive -- Voices is most definitely a Mike Stern session. It's also one of the finest albums in his catalog. by Alex Henderson
1    One World 6:23
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Percussion – Arto Tuncboyaciyan
Vocals – Elizabeth Kontomanou
Vocals, Bass, Kalimba – Richard Bona

2    The River 6:26
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Percussion – Arto Tuncboyaciyan
Vocals, Bass – Richard Bona

3    Slow Change 7:13
Bass – Lincoln Goines
Drums – Dennis Chambers
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Percussion – Arto Tuncboyaciyan
Saxophone – Bob Franceschini

4    Wishing Well 6:10
Acoustic Bass – Chris Minh Doky
Acoustic Guitar [12-string ] – Jon Herington
Guitar – Mike Stern
Vocals – Elizabeth Kontomanou, Philip Hamilton

5    Still There 7:30
Bass – Lincoln Goines
Drums – Dennis Chambers
Guitar [Nylon String] – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Saxophone – Bob Franceschini

6    Spirit 6:35
Bass – Lincoln Goines
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Percussion – Arto Tuncboyaciyan
Rhythm Guitar – Jon Herington
Saxophone – Bob Franceschini
Vocals – Elizabeth Kontomanou, Philip Hamilton

7    What Might Have Been 5:32
Acoustic Bass – Chris Minh Doky
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Vocals – Elizabeth Kontomanou

8    Leni´s Smile 5:31
Bass – Richard Bona
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Percussion – Arto Tuncboyaciyan
Vocals – Elizabeth Kontomanou, Philip Hamilton

9    Way Out East 7:04
Bass – Richard Bona
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Saxophone – Michael Brecker
Vocals, Percussion – Arto Tuncboyaciyan

MIKE STERN - These Times (2004) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Combine the innovative guitar energy of legendary fusion master Mike Stern with old friends (bassist Richard Bona, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta) and new (saxman Kenny Garrett), and anything is bound to happen. But fans expecting raucous swinging and jamming the whole time may be surprised at the subtle lyricism and exotic explorations that define these times for their hero. Yes, his electric is crackling on the hypnotic opener, "Chatter," but it's in the crazy, exotic context of a Middle Eastern vibe inspired by Pakistani great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (look out, Eddie Vedder!). Jim Beard's jumpy piano, Colaiuta's wild, New Orleans groove, and Garrett's swirling lines provide great support. Once Stern and company have the listener's attention, they can become seductive with more intimate affairs like the Joe Zawinul-influenced "Silver Lining," which features an exotic falsetto vocal by Bona, a former Zawinul Syndicate member who also propels the tune with his increasingly muscular basslines. Bona adds the same touch in a gentler way to the lush romance of "I Know You," featuring a soft-spoken harmony line by guest star banjo great Béla Fleck. This sequence of tunes sets the tone of the rest of the disc, which mixes more Khan-flavored gems (the colorful singalong "Mirage," featuring vocals by Elisabeth Kontomanou), soft ballads, and a sexy midtempo funk number that (gasp!) might translate to the smooth jazz format. Another highlight is the punchy bebop number "Remember," dedicated to Stern's longtime collaborator the late Bob Berg. Perhaps the only drawback is having Garrett on hand but only featuring him on three numbers. by Jonathan Widran
Tracklist:
1    Chatter    6:10
Mike Stern
2    Silver Lining    6:34
Mike Stern
3    I Know You    5:06
Mike Stern
4    Mirage    6:44
Mike Stern
5    If Only    5:31
Mike Stern
6    Street Rhyme    6:36
Mike Stern
7    Avenue B    6:13
Mike Stern
8    Remember (For Bob Berg)    6:02
Mike Stern
9    These Times    8:12
Mike Stern
10    What You Believe    6:45
Mike Stern
11    Last One Down    5:30
Mike Stern
Credits:
Lyrics By – Richard Bona (tracks: 5)
Musician – Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Bob Franceschini, Bob Malach, Béla Fleck, Dennis Chambers, Don Alias, Elisabeth Kontomanou, Jim Beard, Jon Herington, Kenny Garrett, Richard Bona, Victor Wooten, Vinnie Colaiuta, Will Lee
Producer – Jim Beard 

MIKE STERN - All Over The Place (2012) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist:
1    AJ    8:53
Mike Stern
2    Cameroon    5:46
Mike Stern
3    Out Of The Blue    6:15
Mike Stern
4    As Far As We Know    6:33
Mike Stern
5    Blues For Al    7:06
Mike Stern
6    OCD    8:07
Mike Stern
7    You Never Told Me    6:18
Mike Stern
8    Half Way Home    6:29
Mike Stern
9    Light    6:14
Mike Stern
10    Flipside    7:22
Mike Stern
11    All Over The Place    6:20
Mike Stern
Credits:
Victor Bailey, Tom Kennedy, Will Lee, Victor Wooten - Bass
Jim Beard - Engineer, Fender Rhodes, Hammond B3, Mixing, Piano, Producer, Synthesizer
Richard Bona - Bass, Engineer, Vocals
Randy Brecker - Trumpet
Keith Carlock, Lionel Cordew, Al Foster - Drums
Bob Franceschini, Kenny Garrett, Bob Malach, Chris Potter - Saxophone
Dave Holland - Bass (Acoustic)
Anthony Jackson - Contrabass Guitar
Tim Keiper - Percussion
Esperanza Spalding - Bass (Acoustic), Vocals
Leni Stern - Wah Wah Guitar
Mike Stern - Composer, Guitar, Guitar (Nylon String), Slide Guitar
Kim Thompson, Dave Weckl - Drums

MIKE STERN - Trip (2017) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Trip was an album that happened because of Mike Stern's relentless determination to remain Mike Stern. On July 3, 2016, he was hailing a cab when he tripped over some concealed construction debris, broke both arms, and was taken to the hospital. He fractured both humerus bones and was left with significant nerve damage in his right hand, preventing him from accomplishing even the simplest of tasks -- including holding a guitar pick. Following a surgery in which 11 screws were put into his arm, Stern emerged in late October with Chick Corea, playing seated and wearing a black glove outfitted with Velcro attached to a Velcro-fitted pick. A second surgery followed and he gained more control of his nerve-damaged right hand by literally gluing and taping his fingers to a pick. It gradually strengthened his grip, and allowed him to regain his speed and technical precision. The recording of Trip began in January of 2017, six months after the accident. While the title's meaning has a double entendre, some of its song titles -- "Screws," "Scotch Tape and Glue" --also reference his surgical events.
Stern enlisted an all-star cast playing in different configurations, achieving a diversity that even exceeds All Over the Place. The title track with drummer Dennis Chambers, bassist Victor Wooten, keyboardist/album producer Jim Beard, and saxophonist Bob Franceschini is a knotty exercise in rocking jazz-funk fusion with peeling guitar riffs, solos, and fills. There's a Miles Davis lilt to "Blueprint" with Randy Brecker guesting on muted trumpet, while Beard plays B-3 and synths, and Chambers offers his best take on Al Foster. Stern eventually touches on the blues before it winds out. "Half Crazy" is blazing, hard-grooving post-bop, with Beard on piano, swinging tenorist Bill Evans, drummer Lenny White, and Teymur Phell on bass. "Screws" commences slowly and quixotically with Wallace Roney on trumpet and the rest of the rhythm section above, as well as percussionist Arto Tuncboyaciyan. While the melody builds in layers and spirals upwards, Roney and Stern each solo hard, adding limber bluesy funk until they deconstruct it to a fade. Leni Stern adds her ngoni to the West African-tinged "Emilia" with Gio Moretti on wordless vocals hovering above the band's interplay. Stern's ngoni also adds a lithe dimension to the grooving, midtempo ballad "I Believe You." "Hope for That" is another intense, even transcendent fusion jam that bumps into rockist Latin terrain with drummer Dave Weckl driving a mean set of crossbeats. While fleet post-bop governs the hard swinging "Scotch Tape and Glue," with Evans returning on tenor, it is Stern's overdriven playing that sets the tone and controls its flow. Stern even picks up an acoustic guitar for the lovely quartet ballad "Gone," offering a side of himself we seldom hear. Stern may have been proving something to himself on Trip. But what he delivers is a tenacious, heartfelt work of imagination, discipline, technical facility, and pure pleasure. 
(This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa')  
Tracklist :
1 Trip 7:24
Mike Stern
2 Blueprint 7:27
Mike Stern
3 Half Crazy 5:37
Mike Stern
4 Screws 7:21
Mike Stern
5 Gone 4:06
Mike Stern
6 Whatchacallit 6:44
Mike Stern
7 Emilia 5:33
Mike Stern
8 Hope For That 5:52
Mike Stern
9 I Believe You 5:03
Mike Stern
10 Scotch Tape And Glue 5:36
Mike Stern
11 B Train 5:20
Mike Stern
Credits :
Bass – Edmond Gilmore (tracks: 5,9), Teymur Phell (tracks: 3,4,7,8,10,11), Tom Kennedy (tracks: 2,6), Victor Wooten (tracks: 1)
Drums – Dave Weckl (tracks: 8), Dennis Chambers (tracks: 1,2,6), Lenny White (tracks: 3,4,10,11), Will Calhoun (tracks: 5,9)
Guitar – Mike Stern
Ngoni – Leni Stern (tracks: 7,9)
Percussion – Arto Tuncboyaciyan (tracks: 1,2,4,7,8), Elhadji Alioune Faye (tracks: 10)
Piano, Keyboards – Jim Beard
Tenor Saxophone – Bill Evans (tracks: 3,10), Bob Franceschini (tracks: 1,6)
Trumpet – Randy Brecker (tracks: 2), Wallace Rooney (tracks: 4,11)
Vocals – Giovanni Moretti (tracks: 7)

7.8.20

BILL EVANS - Escape (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

From Miles Davis' Doo-Bop to albums by Greg Osby and Steve Coleman, much of the "jazz/rap fusion" released has been more hip-hop than jazz -- essentially, hip-hop with jazz overtones. Bill Evans, however, has featured rappers in much the way a hard bopper would feature a singer -- on "Reality" and the poignant, reggae-influenced "La Di Da," rapper Ahmed Best successfully interacts with an actual, spontaneous, improvisatory band instead of merely pre-recorded tracks. Best's rapping style -- a cerebral approach akin to De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest instead of more hardcore rappers like Tupac Shakur and Ice-T -- is well-suited to this challenging and complex jazz-fusion setting. On the instrumental side, Escape's triumphs range from the hard-edged jazz-funk pieces "Undercover" and "Rattletrap" to the sensuous, Brazilian-influenced "Coravillas." Though capable of tenderness and vulnerability, Evans has the good sense to avoid bloodless "smooth jazz" altogether. by Alex Henderson

Tracklist:
1    Swing Hop 5:34
Drums – Billy Kilson
Guitar – Jon Herington
Keyboards, Bass, Drum Programming – Jim Beard
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Bill Evans
Trombone – Ken Meccia
Trumpet – Wallace Roney
Vocals – Loni Groves, Mark Ledford, Robin Beck
Words By, Rap – Ahmed Best
Written-By – Bill Evans, Jim Beard

2    Escape 5:59
Guitar – Jon Herington
Keyboards, Bass, Drum Programming – Jim Beard
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
Scratches – Max Risenhoover
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Bill Evans
Trumpet – Wallace Roney
Written-By – Bill Evans, Jim Beard

3    Reality 6:19
Backing Vocals – Mark Ledford
Drums – Billy Kilson
Electric Bass – Ron Jenkins
Guitar – Gary Poulson
Keyboards, Drum Programming – Jim Beard
Percussion, Backing Vocals – Manolo Badrena
Soprano Saxophone – Bill Evans
Words By, Rap – Ahmed Best
Written-By – Bill Evans

4    The Sunday After 6:00
Backing Vocals – Mark Ledford
Electric Bass – Mark Egan
Guitar – Jon Herington
Keyboards, Bass, Drum Programming – Jim Beard
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
Soprano Saxophone – Bill Evans
Written-By – Bill Evans, Jim Beard

5    Rattletrap 4:36
Bass – Ron Jenkins
Drums – Steve Ferrone
Guitar – Gary Poulson
Organ [Hammond B-3] – Jim Beard
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Bill Evans
Trumpet – Wallace Roney
Written-By – Bill Evans

6    Flash In Dreamland 5:17
Backing Vocals – Loni Groves, Mark Ledford, Robin Beck
Guitar – Jon Herington
Keyboards, Bass, Drum Programming – Jim Beard
Soprano Saxophone – Bill Evans
Vocals – M.C. 900 Ft Jesus
Words By – Mark Griffin
Written-By – Bill Evans, Jim Beard

7    Coravilas 7:39
Backing Vocals – Loni Groves, Mark Ledford, Robin Beck
Guitar – Jon Herington
Keyboards, Bass, Drum Programming – Jim Beard
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
Soprano Saxophone – Bill Evans
Strings – Chelsea Orchestra
Written-By – Bill Evans, Jim Beard

8    Easilee 4:55
Bass – Victor Bailey
Drums – Steve Ferrone
Guitar [Lead] – Lee Ritenour
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
Rhythm Guitar – Jon Herington
Soprano Saxophone – Bill Evans
Written-By – Bill Evans, Jim Beard

9    Undercover 5:26
Drums – Steve Ferrone
Electric Bass – Marcus Miller, Ron Jenkins
Guitar – Gary Poulson
Guitar [Solo] – Nick Moroch
Organ [Hammond B-3], Loops [Drum] – Jim Beard
Other [Party Vibe] – Bill Evans, Jim Beard, Mark Ledford, Loni Groves, Robin Beck, Nalini
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Bill Evans
Written-By – Bill Evans

10    La Di Da 5:55
Backing Vocals – Mark Ledford
Bass – Victor Bailey
Drums – Jim Beard, Max Risenhoover
Guitar – Jon Herington
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
Soprano Saxophone – Bill Evans
Strings – Chelsea Orchestra
Words By, Rap – Ahmed Best
Written-By – Bill Evans, Jim Beard

11    Armsakimbo 4:38
Bass – Victor Bailey
Drums [Additional] – Max Risenhoover
Guitar – Jon Herington
Keyboards, Drum Programming – Jim Beard
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
Soprano Saxophone – Bill Evans
Written-By – Bill Evans, Jim Beard

12    Aftermath 6:15
Backing Vocals – Mark Ledford
Drums – Steve Ferrone
Electric Bass – Marcus Miller
Guitar – Jon Herington
Keyboards, Programmed By [Bass] – Jim Beard
Tenor Saxophone – Bill Evans
Trumpet – Wallace Roney
Written-By – Bill Evans, Jim Beard

13    Undercover (Remix - Marcus' Mad Flav) 5:30
Drums – Steve Ferrone
Electric Bass – Marcus Miller
Guitar – Gary Poulson
Guitar [Solo] – Nick Moroch
Mixed By – Jim Beard
Organ [Hammond B-3], Loops [Drum] – Jim Beard
Other [Party Vibe] – Bill Evans, Jim Beard, Mark Ledford, Loni Groves, Robin Beck, Nalini
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
Remix – Marcus' Mad Flav
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Written-By – Bill Evans


WOLFGANG HAFFNER – Shapes (2005) Serie ACT : Nu Jazz | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

 "The almost meditative instrumental music between jazz and lounge is addictive" (STERN) Tracklist : 1    Faithless    7:23 2    S...