Strings
Jeff Denson Quartet Runs Rings Around 'Concentric Circles,' Ridgeway Records [REVIEW]
'The Outlier,' Rich Halley 5, Combines an Animal Aesthetic w/Supremely Human Moments [REVIEW]
'The Outlier' (Pine Eagle Records) by The Rich Halley 5 has the saxophonist/composer leading a talented quintet with multi-reed player Vinny Golia, trombonist Michael Vlatkovich, bassist Clyde Reed and drummer Carson Halley on an album of originals and extemporaneous studio improvisations. The addition of Golia sounds especially satisfying as his twin axes of bari sax and bass clarinet add color, dynamics and a sophistication to an already well-oiled unit. Mack Avenue Is Filled with Hot Movement as Kenny Garrett Demands 'Do Your Dance!' [REVIEW]
'Do Your Dance!' (Mack Avenue) is yet another chapter of a book long unfinished traversing Kenny Garrett's time in the Mercer Ellington Orchestra, the Five Peace Band with Chick Corea and John McLaughlin, his apprenticeships in the bands of Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, Donald Byrd, Miles Davis and as an international phenomenon both solo and with Sting. Most Garrett CDs are among the best of the year. This is no exception.
