Nguyên Lê is a fusion guitarist who has versatility, leaves space, and does not mind caressing a melody now and then. On 3 Trios, he is heard with three different trios, all of which are impressive and engage in close interplay with the leader. Scott Yanow
"Three trios - and each of them sounds diverse, as if the virtuosity of three guitarists is at play." - ROLLING STONE ACT
Tracklist :
Three Trios (9:43)
1 Silk 3:24
2 Silver 2:29
3 Sand 3:50
4 Dance Of The Comet 6:02
5 Foow 7:50
6 Kinderhund 3:31
7 Woof 6:56
8 Idoma 5:27
9 La Parfum 5:39
10 Blue Monkey 6:09
11 Straight No Chaser 3:35
Credits :
Nguyên Lê - El. & Electroacoustic Guitars, Guitar-Synth and E-bow
Marc Johnson - Acoustic Bass
Peter Erskine - Drums
Dieter Ilg - Acoustic Bass
Danny Gottlieb - Drums
Renaud Garcia-Fons - Acoustic Bass
"JAZZPAÑA, the most ambitious recording project ever undertaken by Siggi Loch in a most active and extensive music business career, fuses American jazz and the flamenco music of Andalusia in a most imaginative, adventurous, and inspirational way. JAZZPAÑA is a showcase for the special compositional and arranging skills af Arif Mardin and Vince Mendoza, for the impeccable and dynamic section work of the WDR Big Band, for the exotic, extrovert artistry of Ramon El Portugues and Los Jovenes Flamencos, and for the assured and articulate playing of top jazz guest players Michael Brecker, Al Di Meola, Steve Khan, and Peter Erskine. Furthermore, JAZZPAÑA reveals Vince Mendoza as a composer and arranger of immense talent and imagination. This music inevitably prompts comparism with the classic Gill Evans - Miles Davis collaboration of 1959, Sketches of Spain. ...but Mendoza has his own individual identity, approaching the task of composing and arranging rather like a painter creating a landscape of canvas."
Nominated for two GRAMMY AWARDS in 1994. ACT
Tracklist :
1 El Vito Cante 3:44
2 Tangos 8:38
3 Entre Tinieblas 5:30
4 Tanguillo 7:46
5 Soy Gitano 4:49
6 Bulería 9:31
7 Suite Fraternidad (First Movement Generalife) 4:50
8 Suite Fraternidad (Second Movement Albacin) 8:22
9 El Vito El Gran Tamaño 9:19
Credits :
WDR BIGBAND conducted by Vince Mendoza
Guests:
Michael Brecker - Tenor Saxaphone
Al Di Meola - Electric Guitar
Peter Erskine - Drums
Dieter Ilg - Bass
Steve Khan - Electric Guitar
Freddie Santiago - Percussion
On the sunny side of Jazz: Catchy songs by Grammy winner Dick Halligan and lively interpretations by the Roman singer Carla Marcotulli. ACT
Tracklist :
1 How Can I Get To Mars? 3:22
2 Easy Way 3:33
3 What Is Love 4:23
4 Lady Day 3:27
5 Rocco's Rhythm 3:20
6 When I Love Again 4:26
7 Do You Love Me? 3:35
8 Autoritratto 2:02
9 Waltz For Bill 4:45
10 I'm Through With Love 4:08
11 I Look At You 3:40
12 I Get Along Without You 4:27
13 OK 3:43
Credits :
Bass – Dave Carpenter
Drums – Peter Erskine
Vocals – Carla Marcotulli
Sandro Gibellini - Guitar
Dick Halligan - Piano
Quartetto Dorico 
The world premiere of 'Sketches' was the highlight of the JazzFest Berlin 1993. ACT
Tracklist :
1 Pavane (Pour Une Infante Défunte) 9:06
Composed By – Maurice Ravel
Sketches
Composed By – Vince Mendoza
2 Part 1 2:04
3 Part 2 8:12
4 Part 3 10:21
5 Part 4 7:05
6 Part 5 9:27
7 Part 6 5:22
8 Part 7 5:47
9 Part 8 4:43
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Charlie Mariano
Arranged By, Remix – Vince Mendoza
Artwork [Front Cover] – Georg Baselitz
Bass – Dieter Ilg
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Nguyên Lê
Orchestra – The WDR Big Band
Soprano Saxophone – Dave Liebman
You might justifiably expect sparks to fly on this collaborative effort, given the careers of Ehrlich and his compatriots, trio members Michael Formanek and Peter Erskine. Unfortunately, it rarely happens, and while all three are exquisite players individually, this disappointing, often tepid recording stands as an opportunity not fully realized. In part it might be the result of different styles: Ehrlich, of course, is the more adventurous of the group, but Erskine, whose heart is usually in more commercial ventures, seems comfortable with the music. The pieces are all originals by the trio members, but there are times when a certain boredom pervades the music. To be fair, there are some aggressive, exciting moments, too, but they are the exception. Ehrlich continues to show remarkable versatility on alto and tenor saxophones, clarinet, and flute (where he is particularly lyrical). Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1 Incident At Harpham Flat 6:42
Michael Formanek
2 Eloi Lament 5:44
Peter Erskine
3 Lucky Life 9:19
Marty Ehrlich
4 The Pivot 6:52
Marty Ehrlich
5 Holy Waters 5:52
Michael Formanek
6 Round The Four Corners 6:41
Marty Ehrlich
7 Jiggle The Handle 8:35
Michael Formanek
8 Relativo 3:42
Peter Erskine
9 Taglioni 6:04
Don Grolnick
10 In A Child's Eyes 4:15
Michael Formanek
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute – Marty Ehrlich
Double Bass – Michael Formanek
Drums – Peter Erskine
Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band is a modern big band which successfully blends elements of jazz and rock. Goodwin, who serves as keyboardist, composer, arranger and conductor, has created music that proves to be consistently catchy to the listener and challenging to his musicians. The leader obviously loves a good laugh. The playful staccato brass and reeds are the centerpiece of "Hunting Wabbits" before it transforms into a brisk bluesy vehicle. "Horn of Plenty," his tribute to the late Latin jazz great Tito Puente, features trumpeter Wayne Bergeron, and "The Jazz Police" is a rockish but amusing slap at closed-minded critics and radio hosts. He also makes good use of special guests. The vocal group Take 6 is featured on swinging charts of the standards "Comes Love" and "It's All Right With Me." Clarinetist Eddie Daniels is showcased in the snappy "Thad Said No" and a delicious rearrangement of the well-known theme from Mozart's 40th Symphony. Singer Johnny Mathis, hardly a jazz singer, nonetheless has fun with R&B oldie "Let the Good Times Roll." Rarely are big bands like Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band so able to combine such a diversity of influences into such a tantalizing mix. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1 High Maintenance 6:17
Featuring – Andy Martin, Eric Marienthal
2 A Game Of Inches 7:22
Featuring – Michael Brecker
3 Comes Love 5:32
Featuring – Brian McKnight, Take 6
4 Thad Said No 5:45
Featuring – Eddie Daniels
5 Hunting Wabbits 6:21
Featuring – Andy Martin, Gordon Goodwin
6 The Quiet Corner 6:21
Featuring – Gordon Goodwin
7 Horn Of Puente 6:19
Featuring – Wayne Bergeron
8 It's All Right With Me 4:45
Featuring – Eric Marienthal, Take 6
9 The Jazz Police 5:19
Featuring – Brian Scanlon, Carl Verheyen
10 Mozart 40th Symphony In Gm 8:08
Featuring – Eddie Daniels
11 What Sammy Said 7:51
Featuring – Bob Summers, Brian Scanlon
12 Let The Good Times Roll 3:31
Featuring – Johnny Mathis
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – John Yoakum (tracks: 3, 12)
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute – Eric Marienthal (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 11)
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Flute [Alto] – Sal Lozano
Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Flute – Jay Mason
Bass Trombone – Craig Ware
Double Bass [Ac Bass], Electric Bass – Richard Shaw
Drums – Bernie Dresel (tracks: 1, 4, 8 to 10), Peter Erskine (tracks: 2, 5 to 7, 11), Ray Brinker (tracks: 3, 12)
Guitar – Carl Verheyen (tracks: 3, 8, 9, 12), Grant Geissman (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 7, 10, 11)
Producer, Composed By, Arranged By, Piano, Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet – Brian Scanlon, Jeff Driscoll
Trombone – Alex Iles (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 11), Andy Martin, Charlie Morillas (tracks: 3, 8, 9, 12), Nick Lane (tracks: 3, 12), Steve Holtman (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 7, 10, 11)
Trumpet – Bob Summers (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 10, 12), Dan Fornero (tracks: 2, 5 to 7, 11), Dan Savant, Larry Hall (tracks: 8, 9), Pete De Siena (tracks: 3, 12), Stan Martin (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 7, 10, 11), Wayne Bergeron
By 1984, Steps Ahead's personnel had stabilized with original keyboardist Warren Bernhardt rejoining the group and teaming up with tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker, bassist Eddie Gomez, drummer Peter Erskine, and vibraphonist Mike Mainieri; guitarist Chuck Loeb guests on one selection, as does Tony Levin, who is heard on the Chapman stick. This outing is very electronic and does not quite reach the heights of Steps Ahead's earlier Elektra album, but it certainly has plenty of spirit and power. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Safari 6:58
Michael Brecker
2 Oops 6:20
Mike Mainieri
3 Self Portrait 6:02
Mike Mainieri
4 Modern Times 6:17
Warren Bernhardt
5 Radio-Active 8:49
Warren Bernhardt / Craig Peyton
6 Now You Know 6:25
Peter Erskine
7 Old Town 6:19
Mike Mainieri
Credits :
Bass – Eddie Gomez
Drums, Percussion, Drum Machine [DMX] – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Chuck Loeb (tracks: 6)
Keyboards – Warren Bernhardt
Saxophone – Michael Brecker
Vibraphone, Marimba – Mike Mainieri
West Coast bassist/composer Von Essen died prematurely in his sleep of a heart attack at age 43 but left behind some 100 compositions, and many bandmates are dedicated to making sure his music gets heard. This is one of three proposed volumes that will assure Von Essen's sounds are known to a jazz public that probably never heard of him. That will change, for this is a wonderful initial outing, played by five different groups. Pianists Alan Pasqua and Alan Broadbent lead trios on two tracks apiece. Pasqua, with Dave Carpenter on bass and Peter Erskine on drums, uses an urgent ticktock to a light beat under a languid, beauteous piano melody on "Silvana," while "Blues For Carin'" is an easily swung, ultra-melodic number with Pasqua using Chick Corea or Thelonious Monk-like techniques. Broadbent swings "Blues Puzzle" with Putter Smith's bass way up in the mix, while the lament "Nowhere" starts with solo 88s, then Smith and drummer Kendall Kay join on this most pristine ballad. Electric guitarist Nels Cline and pianist David Witham lead a quartet for the urgent, modal to swinging "Peacemaker," as familiar a theme as the public might recognize, and the easy flowing waltz "For Me" sports some lustrous unison lines. Violinist Jeff Gauthier and acoustic guitarist Cline in finger-style mode use a chamber-style approach à la Oregon for "Incomplete Circle" in phrases of seven and four beats, while the slow waltz "Departure" has Gauthier in mournful yet optimistic spirits. Stacy Rowles plays poignant trumpet or flugelhorn with Larry Koonse's tender electric guitar in separate lines on the contemporary ballad "Love Song For Kirsi" and works in tandem on the easy, straight-ahead swinger "Benny" for Benny Golson, using phraseology from Golson's "Whisper Not." Tom Warrington, in Von Essen's spirit, evokes the composer's persona with a deftly plucked bass solo. If this is only a portent of future volumes to come, it's quite an auspicious starting point. One can only look at future issuance of Von Essen's musical brilliance with hope and grand expectation. Highly recommended. Michael G. Nastos Tracklist & Credits : 
The second of three projected volumes of music by the late bassist/composer Eric von Essen, who passed away at the age of 43, is -- like its predecessor -- a purposely mixed bag. A composer of straight modern jazz tunes to gypsy blues-jazz to pop to pieces that border on theater and classical music, von Essen was nothing if not a lover of diverse musics, and well-versed in their compositional vocabularies. All of his work was equally possessed of movement, however; there was no stasis in his compositional language. Five different ensembles ranging from quintet to trio perform two pieces each, and add more to the mystery of von Essen the virtuoso musician. The first two pieces, "Blues for John" and "K," are post-bop tunes that soar with the aegis of modern electric post-bop jazz. Larry Koonse's electric guitar and Stacy Rowles' trumpet and flügelhorn are perfect foils for one another. As Koonse takes the edges and makes them sharper, Rowles rounds them into tight pockets of harmony. On "Petit Rayon" and "9/8/29," brothers Nels and Alex Cline, on acoustic guitar and drums respectively, team with Jeff Gauthier and Michael Elizondo on violin and bass to reveal the impressionistic side of von Essen's personality. Both pieces feel like sketches for orchestral pieces; they hold within their melodic lines large harmonic sonances. The primary strings, guitar and violin, are bridged by the counterpoint melody of the bass. Both works -- though their movement is fluid and medium tempoed -- are restrained until each of them cuts loose into a kind of modern gypsy swing with Django Reinhardt on one side and Pat Metheny on the other. The trio with Peter Erskine is the least successful here, but the material is not the problem. This group took exactly the same hushed approach to this type of material on the first volume, and it's a bit wispy to come completely to life on a recording. To take the record out, the Cline brothers electrically team with David Witham and Joel Hamilton, on piano and bass respectively, for a straight-up jazz romp with hot solos all around ("BC/Jezebel") and a ballad ("Marry Me") of such lyrical tenderness that it almost floats through the air without the music attached. It's gorgeous, hypnotic, and based on open tunings, so that a drone plays a large part in the body of its architecture. If it wasn't for the line coming back over and over again, you would swear you heard this tune inside your heart instead of through your stereo speakers. Not as overwhelming as the first volume, this disk -- aside from the two trio pieces -- is solid nonetheless. It also begs the question of just how deep von Essen's abilities ran because, so far, they seem boundless.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist & Credits : 
Tierney Sutton claims she had never really encountered Joni Mitchell until she heard the songwriter's 2000 album Both Sides Now, a collection mainly comprised of standards. (An album she holds in the same regard as Frank Sinatra's In the Wee Small Hours and Billie Holiday's Lady in Satin.) In 2011 she performed four of Mitchell's songs during a performance with the Turtle Island String Quartet; that gig set this project in motion. After Blue is Sutton's first offering that doesn’t include her regular band -- its members were involved with other projects at the time. Instead, her collaborators are a collection of jazz luminaries who include Peter Erskine, Larry Goldings, Ralph Humphrey, Hubert Laws, the TISQ, and Al Jarreau, who duets on "Be Cool" (the only track to feature one of Sutton's own musicians, bassist Kevin Axt). Sutton reads Mitchell by moving through the songwriter's various creative periods, embracing the singer/songwriter's jazz leanings in her phrasing, improvisation, and syncopation, and their shared love of the Great American Songbook. This last notion is evidenced by Sutton's version of "Don’t Go to Strangers" and "Answer Me My Love," both of which Mitchell poignantly delivered on Both Sides Now. She also seamlessly melds closer "Freeman in Paris" with "April in Paris." Other standouts include "Blue" and "Little Green" with TISQ, the fingerpopping "The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines" with Laws, Erskine, and Goldings, and the swinging, thoroughly re-envisioned "Big Yellow Taxi." On "Both Sides Now," she is accompanied only by Mark Summer's cello. For those accustomed to hearing Sutton re-interpreting standards from the golden era, After Blue retains her trademark gifts of phrasing, restraint, and emotional honesty. But as an album, it is just as remarkable as Herbie Hancock's The Joni Letters in its creative rapprochement of Mitchell's music with the jazz tradition, and reveals Sutton at a vocal and interpretive peak.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1 Blue 4:11
Joni Mitchell
2 All I Want 3:28
Joni Mitchell
3 Court and Spark 4:57
Joni Mitchell
4 Don't Go to Strangers 5:56
Redd Evans / Arthur Kent / Dave Mann
5 The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines 5:15
Charles Mingus / Joni Mitchell
6 Big Yellow Taxi 3:06
Joni Mitchell
7 Woodstock 6:08
Joni Mitchell
8 Little Green 4:53
Joni Mitchell
9 Be Cool 5:50
Joni Mitchell
10 Answer Me My Love 3:45
Fred Rauch / Carl Sigman / Gerhard Winkler
11 Both Sides Now 5:11
Joni Mitchell
12 April in Paris/Free Man in Paris 5:36
Vernon Duke / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg / Joni Mitchell
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Kevin Axt (faixas: 4)
Arranged By – David Balakrishnan (faixas: 1), Julie Bernstein (faixas: 8), Kevin Axt (faixas: 9), Mark Summer (faixas: 2, 11), Serge Merlaud (faixas: 10), Tierney Sutton (faixas: 9, 12)
Cello – Mark Summer (faixas: 1, 8)
Drums – Peter Erskine (faixas: 5, 9), Ralph Humphrey (faixas: 6)
Flute – Hubert Laws (faixas: 5, 9)
Guest – Al Jarreau (faixas: 9)
Guitar – Serge Merlaud (faixas: 4, 10)
Organ [Hammond] – Larry Goldings (faixas: 3, 5, 7, 9, 12)
Piano – Larry Goldings (faixas: 3, 5, 7, 9, 12)
Viola – Benjamin von Gutzeit (faixas: 1, 8)
Violin – David Balakrishnan (faixas: 1, 8), Mateusz Smoczyński (faixas: 1, 8)
Vocals – Tierney Sutton
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
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 
Ralph Towner's a difficult case. The snoozy noodlings of his former band Oregon can be downright stupefying, but his solo work is often, though not always, quite a bit more interesting. Open Letter walks both sides of the line, but succeeds more often than it fails. Towner teams up with jazz drummer Peter Erskine on this set, and while guitar and drums may sound like kind of a dry instrumentation, Towner fleshes things out with some synthesizer and Erskine puts electronic percussion to tasteful use. But it's the more traditional fare that is most successful here -- while "Magic Pouch," awith its imitation flute, is almost a new age parody, the similarly gentle "Nightfall" hits the spot perfectly, and Towner's solo turn on the Bill Evans classic "Waltz for Debby" is exquisite. In general, Towner seems to do best with standards rather than originals; he acquits himself beautifully on "I Fall in Love Too Easily," but the faux-Spanish modality and synthesized seagull cries of "Alar" sound like muzak for tourists. Other Towner compositions, notably "The Sigh" and "Short 'n Stout," are far more successful. by Rick Anderson
Tracklist:
1 The Sigh 5:13
Ralph Towner
2 Wistful Thinking 3:54
Ralph Towner
3 Adrift 6:14
Ralph Towner
4 Infection 3:19
Peter Erskine / Ralph Towner
5 Alar 7:16
Ralph Towner
6 Short 'n Stout 3:04
Ralph Towner
7 Waltz for Debby 4:15
Bill Evans / Gene Lees
8 I Fall in Love Too Easily 4:17
Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne
9 Magic Pouch 5:09
Ralph Towner
10 Magnolia Island 4:33
Ralph Towner
11 Nightfall 6:33
Ralph Towner
Credits:
Classical Guitar, Twelve-string Guitar, Synthesizer – Ralph Towner
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitarist Andy Summers long ago shed his Police-man's uniform
to take a stab at being a jazz fusion guitarist, and this is his
toughest test, tackling 13 of Thelonious Monk's most well known pieces.
His backing band has some considerable talent; drummer Peter Erskine,
organist Joey DeFrancesco, trumpeter Walt Fowler and cellist Hank
Roberts are outstanding jazz musicians, and prove their mettle
throughout. The CD overall is inconsistent, starting with an out-of-tune
bass and an inaccurate reading of the title track. But it gets much
better with horn charts, the precise Erskine and searing DeFrancesco
saving grace on "Hackensack." Then they really get down with Monk's
stealth Misterioso feel on "Brilliant Corners," and an economical
Summers works effectively on "Monk's Dream." Sting sings "'Round
Midnight" and botches the lyrics, but they come back strong for most of
the remainder of the disc, especially with a pristine take on "Ugly
Beauty," a moderately raucous "Think of One," a free-for-all "Light
Blue/Rhythm-A-Ning," with Erskine cutting loose, and Summers' courteous
solo acoustic finale on "Ruby My Dear." Summers is rather noodle prone,
though a sharp-edged John Abercrombie-type tone creeps in occasionally.
You do hear considerable riffing, and less improvisation, so if you're
more into Jeff Beck than, say, Larry Coryell, bon appétit. There's a
fluid ease in Summers' playing that suggests a real comfort zone and
genuine love for this music. Sometimes that can go a long way, but
still, this is for special tastes outside mainstream jazz. by Michael G. Nastos
Tracklist:
1 Green Chimneys 5:58
Thelonious Monk
2 Hackensack 4:38
Thelonious Monk
3 Brilliant Corners 3:31
Thelonious Monk
4 Monk's Dream 3:56
Thelonious Monk
5 'Round Midnight 5:42
Bernie Hanighen / Thelonious Monk / Cootie Williams
6 Bemsha Swing 4:58
Denzil Best / Thelonious Monk
7 Shuffle Boil 5:33
Thelonious Monk
8 Boo Boo's Birthday 3:18
Thelonious Monk
9 Evidence 4:15
Thelonious Monk
10 Ugly Beauty 5:17
Thelonious Monk
11 Think of One 4:10
Thelonious Monk
12 Light Blue/Rhythm-A-Ning 3:20
Thelonious Monk
13 Ruby, My Dear 2:51
Thelonious Monk
- Bonus Tracks -
14 Crepescule With Nellie 2:30
15 Locomotive 4:35
16 Off Minor 3:10
17 Ruby (Electric Version) 2:35
Credits:
Bass [Upright Basses], Electric Bass – Dave Carpenter
Cello – Hank Roberts
Drums – Bernie Dresel (faixas: 8, 12), Peter Erskine (faixas: 1 to 7, 9 to 11, 13, 14)
Electric Organ [Hammond B-3 Organ] – Joey de Francesco
Guitar, Banjo, Dobro – Andy Summers
Soprano, Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Steve Tavaglione
Trumpet – Walt Fowler
„When I die, I want people to play my music, go wild and freak out and do anything they want to do.“
Jimi Hendrix’s wish has been posthumously fulfilled. Although he had such misfortune in life, and died in 1970 at a mere 27 years of age, his immortal music has continued to be played ever since his death - very much in the spirit of that quote. Countless musicians in rock, pop and jazz have been influenced by Hendrix, and many have overtly based their own music on his. Among the ACT family of artists, several have been inspired by his music, and have found their own individual ways to play it. In November of this year this icon of the 1968 protest movement, this pioneer of rock would have been 75. A good reason, then, for ACT musicians to gather together for a retrospective called “Hendrix in the Spirit of Jazz”, to let the unique spirit of this genius of the electric guitar soar again.
Pride of place here goes to Nguyên Lê. 25 years ago, he was the first artist to have an exclusive contract with ACT, in its first year of existence. As a self-taught guitarist, the Vietnamese-French musician is stylistically close to Hendrix, and the American has discernably influenced Lê’s instantly recognizable world music, which innovatively blends elements from Europe, Asia and America. Indeed, one of Lê’s very greatest successes was the 2002 CD “Purple – Celebrating Jimi Hendrix”. His versions of “1983…(A Merman I Should Turn To Be)” and “If 6 Was 9” form the centre of “Hendrix in the Spirit of Jazz”.
Lê is immaculate in the way he lives up to the challenge of the title, taking all the freedom and danger of Hendrix’s rock music, and using the subtle craft of the jazz improviser to enhance it. Alongside Lê, Terri Lyne Carrington is a pivotal figure in this recording. Hendrix's themes are sometimes furiously rocky, sometimes soulful or atmospherically dream-like, and she not only propels them from the drums, she uses her voice to express his lyrics, which she also expands with thoughts of her own.
And the other ACT stars on this album demonstrate what a kaleidoscope of colours, a diversity of styles and and lively cosmos Hendrix's pieces can become: whether it is Bugge Wesseltoft transforming “Angel” into a tender solo piano ballad, or his Finnish pianist colleague Iiro Rantala in a trio with Lars Danielsson on bass and Peter Erskine on drums on “Little Wing”. Or it can be the unique Youn Sun Nah’s “Drifting”, intoning an irresistible call of longing, or her soulful Swedish sister-in-jazz Ida Sand, wonderfully expressive in “Manic Depression”. From the NDR Bigband rocking out on “Voodoo Chile” to the ACT Family Band - Cæcilie Norby, Céline Bonacina, Wolfgang Haffner, Lars Danielsson with Nguyên Lê again – performing the most famous Hendrix anthem “Purple Haze” in front of an ecstatic audience celebrating the 20th birthday of ACT.
“Hendrix in the Spirit of Jazz” is an anthology which shows that Hendrix’s music is as alive as it ever was – maybe even more so. And what it does -musically at least - is to encourage listeners to ‘go wild and freak out and do anything they want to do’. ACT
Sources
1 Angel 5:21
Album: Everybody Loves Angels (ACT 9847-2)
Musicians: Bugge Wesseltoft - piano
2 Little Wing 4:52
Album: How Long Is Now (ACT 9823-2)
Musicians: iiro Rantala - piano / Lars Danielsson - bass / Peter Erskine - drums
3 Are You Experienced 7:29
Album: Polska (ACT 9557-2)
Musicians: Leszek Mozdzer - piano & celesta / Lars Danielsson - bass / Zohar Fresco - percussion / Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marcin Natecz Niesiotowsky / Ewelina Serafin - flute solo
4 Drifting 4:35
Album: She Moves On (ACT9037-2)
Musicians: Youn Sun Nah - vocals/ Marc Ribot - guitar / Jamie Saft - keys / Brad Jones - bass / Dan Rieser - drums
5 1983 ... (A Merman I Should Turn To Be) 6:02
Album: Purple - Celebrating Jimi Hendrix (ACT 9410-2)
Musicians: Nguyên Lê - guitars & guitar synth / Terri Lyne Carrington - drums & vocals / Michel Alibo - bass / Bojan Z - piano
6 If 6 Was 9 4:02
Album: Purple - Celebrating Jimi Hendrix (ACT 9410-2)
Musicians: Nguyên Lê - guitars / Terri Lyne Carrington - drums & vocals / Bojan Z - fender Rhodes / Aida Khann - spoken words / Michel Alibo - bass
7 Manic Depression 3:25
Album: True Love (ACT 9481-2)
Musicians: Ida Sand - vocals & Wurlitzer / Magnus Lindgren - bass clarinet / Ola Gustafsson - guitars / Peter Forss - bass / Per Lindvall - drums
8 Little Wing 3:51
Album: Million Waves (ACT 9221-2)
Musicians: Nguyên Lê - guitar / Dieter Ilg - bass / Danny Gottlieb - drums
9 Voodoo Chile 5:15
Album: Bravissimo - 50 Years NDR Bigband (ACT 9232-2)
Musicians: NDR Bigband conducted by Rob Pronk / Howard Johnson - tuba & arranger / Stephan Diez - guitar
10 Purple Haze 14:04
Album: The ACT20 Jubilee Concert (ACT 6015-2)
Musicians: ACT Family Band: Cæcilie Norby- vocals / Nguyên Lê - guitar / Celine Bonacina -baritone sax / Lars Danielsson - bass / Wolfgang Haffner - drums
Music composed by Jimi Hendrix
Compiled by Marco Ostrowsky
Mastered by Klaus Scheuermann
Cover art design: Siggi Loch
One of the greatest slide guitarists of the early blues era, and a man with an odd fascination with the kazoo, Tampa Red also fancied himsel...
