Mike Link and Harvey Taylor have released their second album titled Beat Elementals continuing their successful blend of jazz and world music that was evidenced on their first album. Link’s keyboards and electronics still perfectly meld with Taylor’s cool trumpet style. Some of the tracks remind me a little of Bill Laswell’s world music hybrid. Aside from Link and Taylor’s usual impeccable playing they are joined by some excellent musicians, most noticeably the flute and vocals of Holly Haebig which can be heard to good effect on “Silver Swirl” and “PuraVeda”. “Room For All” has some intriguing didgeridoo work by Julio Pabon. Other fine tracks include “Angels of Mercy”, “Blue-Green Patina”, and “Sun Tour”. This is another exceptional album of jazz and world grooves from this Milwaukee-based jazz-fusion duo.

The album is available from Jamendo by the download link below in VBR MP3. If you enjoy the music support the artist by buying their CDs.

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One of the best ways to get a grasp on the variety of music that is available through netlabels is to browse the several compilation series that has been put together by music fans and bloggers. I have already reviewed a few of them including Netbloc and The Silent Ballet. A new kid on the block is the Netmuzyka.com, a humble blog presenting Niesencje, a creative series of online albums bringing what they consider the cream of the netlabel crop. Their focus is somewhat mainstream, meaning no avant-garde, but there is a wide assortment of electronic music, IDM, nu-jazz, dance, introverted folk/pop, and ambient . There are currently seven collections, all having a consistently high quality with all tracks well chosen and each separate album having a listening duration of 40 to 60 minutes. Quite a few of the artists have already been discovered and written about by yours truly including Umma Project, ST, Post Human Era, and Stockfinster. However I am also unearthing a number of other promising artists which I have made a note to check out more thoroughly. These include the new age Virculum, an urban-percussive Skarv, and a exotically Latin Trafficjam. There’s just too many interesting tracks on these albums. Suffice to say, I’m currently listening to Vim’s fairytale of a tune titled “That Smell of Spring Rain” while it is 114 degrees Fahrenheit outside and digging it. All in all, this is a very fine series, nothing too challenging yet all enjoyable and worth checking out.

The seven albums are available in zips of 192kbps MP3.

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Niesencje Vol. 1
Niesencje Vol. 2
Niesencje Vol. 3
Niesencje Vol. 4
Niesencje Vol. 5
Niesencje Vol. 6
Niesencje Vol. 7

The first thing I noticed about the album titled Manila by tenor saxophonist Luc Bartoli is that he uses the same sidemen that are on the groovin’ album by Droopy Contini. Pianist Pov Weyer, drummer Ed Mars and bassist Slikk Tim knows how to bring out the best in a jazz improvisor. But while Droopy harks back to Charlie Parker, Luc Bartoli seems to favor the smooth sound of fellow tenor saxophonist Stan Getz. The title tune and “Nostalgia” both have that mellow relaxing quality that I associate with Mr. Getz. However the other three tracks show some impressive hard bop with “Oneshot” getting down right funky. “Flick To a Trick’ is some of that bluesy playing that evokes evenings in smoke filled jazz clubs with a well nurtured glass of scotch. If you looking for a good free and legal example of top notch mainstream jazz improvisation and some first class backup you’ve found it.

Manila is available in VBR MP3 around 192kbps.

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This is one of those projects that just doesn’t fit tightly in any genre. Bordering new age, jazz and classical, there is a fresh sound from this trio of violin, bass and percussion. Morning Zephyr offers all three of their albums free and online. The first, Advocates, sounds a bit floundering and, to be frank, is not that well recorded. However, Empire Builder and Proof and Content rises to the challenge and are my Free Albums Galore picks of the day.

Empire Builder is my favorite of the two. The first track, “Voltaic”, is at a crisp tempo and is reminiscent of the new age/jazz hybrid pioneered by Oregon. “Tervetuloa” is a vibrant duet between violinist Kip Jones and bassist Karl Doty. “Gravlax” exhibits some strong jazz credentials with Kip Jones on piano, steady grounding by Doty and superb drum work by Zach Miller. I also like the energetic but quirky “Sponz-hop” and the solo violin piece “Kyrie”.

Proof and Content also has plenty of fine moments. “Hymn” has a somber and somewhat minimalist sense. However things pick up on the pulsating “Safe Conduct” with its nice use of voices as part of the instrumental background. John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” get a mainstream jazz reading and shows off some fine interactive playing by the group members. The same goes for their imaginative cover of Charlie Parker’s “Donna Lee”. “Tigerland” has a tight rock beat making it an atypical but stand-out track. Overall this is a more jazz oriented outing but with enough variety and experimentation to keep most music fans very happy. Both albums represent a group of musicians trying out new ideas and obviously having a lot of fun doing it.

Both albums are available from the artists’ web site in 192kbsp MP3. If you enjoy the music, support the artists by buying an higher quality sound CD of Empire Builder.

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Empire Builder
Proof and Content

Here is another issue of the audiocassette magazine Tellus, number 15 to be exact. The theme is on Improvisation and features many of the lead innovators of the avant-garde jazz and new music scene of the 80s.

Tellus’ survey of the improvisatory arts was recorded at The Stephanie and Irving Stone Festival of Improvisers in New York City on November 8, 9, and 10, 1985. The participants included John Zorn, Fred Frith, Lindsay Cooper, Carol Emmanuel, Bill Frisell and others. The first track, a duet between guitarist Chris Cochrane and Anthony Coleman on electric organ, typifies the fascinating controlled chaos that I like in the avant-garde and especially in avant-garde jazz. Henry Cow members Cooper and Frith are always creative and can be heard to good effect on tracks 3 and 5. Guitarist Frisell and Trombonist Jim Staley gives my favorite performance of the set on track 6. Finally the album ends with a bit of an all-star session the includes Zorn, Frith, Cooper, and Ikue Mori. Overall this is an interesting album of intelligent, if sometimes challenging, improvisation.

The album is available in 192kbps from Ubuweb.

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Greg Ginn is best known as the founding member and guitarist of seminal hardcore punk group Black Flag and the owner of independent record label SST. He also has fronted quite a few bands and projects since his Black Flag days, one of them being the punk/jazz/funk instrumental ensemble of Mojack. Ginn has placed Mojack’s newest album, Under The Willow Tree on his website as a free and legal download.

Under The Willow Tree may be quite different than anything Ginn did with Black Flag but the attitude is still decidedly punk. Ginn’s guitar playing is hard edged but often leaning more toward avant-garde jazz than rock. Drummer Mike Lopez is hard and funky while the saxophone of Tony Atherton, formerly of Bazooka, adds favorably to both to the funk and the avant-garde aspects of this session. The eighteen tracks are all up-tempo howlers that causes the album to be a bit one dimensional and twice as long as it should be but there is no denying the exiting tension that they produce.

The album is available from the Mojack web site in 192kbps MP3. If you enjoy the music, buy the CD in higher quality sound.

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Rock/rock might be more accurately titled Rock/jazz; mostly rock but enough jazz technique to fuse it together. Nazzareno Zacconi reminds me at times of a young Jeff Beck with his lighting technique and his imaginative improvisation. These ten instrumental tracks will certainly have you blissfully air-guitaring,

Rock/rock is available from the Dharmasound net label by either separate tracks or an album zip in 192kbps or 320kbps MP3 format.

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Now this is the kind of free album that gets the jazz fan in me excited, a straight ahead hard bop session harking back to the golden days of Charlie Parker and Clifford Brown. Droopy Contini is an alto saxophonist who is well schooled in the bebop techniques of Parker and other great sax players such as Art Pepper. Surpriscording is a spontaneous no nonsense session of mainstream jazz improvisation. Droopy sails through two Parker standards, a tune by Clifford Brown, the more contemporary “The Beat Goes On”, and a original song titled “Captain Hugo”. All tracks are enjoyable except for “Beat” which goes on too long despite the musicians’ earnest efforts to revive a rock tune that was always rather boring. The three standards are immensely better and Droopy’s modal jazz track is the best of the lot showing a gifted composer as well as a exceptional improviser. He is aptly backed by Pov Weyer on piano, Ed Mars on drums and Slikk Tim on bass.

The album is available from Jamendo in VBR MP3.

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The music of JazzAm takes me back to the jazzy French soundtracks of Michel Legrand and the classy sound of jazz artists like Chick Corea and George Benson before they were seduced by fusion and crossover popularity respectively. This is the music of afternoon cafes, urban parks and Sunday romances. The uncredited musicians have a polished sound and all know how to swing. The opening “Les Pas Dans Les Nuages” is a breezy jazz waltz that is grounded by a dancing rhythm section and a gorgeous vocal. In fact, the female vocalist pretty much takes the spotlight on each of these tracks. There are lots of excellent keyboard and guitar solos on all four tracks but the straight ahead “Va, Vis, Deviens” is especially delightful. The funky “Je Brade Tout” and the laid back “Fee Des Bois” rounds out a grooving session. Although the EP is only 4 tracks and 23 minutes long, it is still one of the best jazz outings offered free and online.

The album is available in VBR MP3s.

No longer available

Triplexity is a virtual trio consisting of Nikila, SaReGaMa and Hamelin Bérengnier. This is a highly polished but refreshingly versatile ensemble that play a scintillating mixture of nu-jazz, new age music, and world fusion. The twelve tracks offer a variety of moods and sound. The opening “Between Light and Shadow” is smooth jazz with an exotic vocal by Moving Sands. “Three 4 Ten” excites the senses and the mind in 10/8 time and their cover of John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” is surprisingly danceable. Latin beat and funk are also in abundant on some tracks and treated with the same effortless virtuosity. The only time the album gives me pause is on a couple IDM/ambient tracks that breaks up the groove but even these are well performed. Over all, this is a good album of world beats and new age jazz grooves.

The album is available from Jamendo in VBR MP3.

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Argentinan percussionist Agustín Strizzi is at the helm of this exceptional jazz trio called Gepel. The trio plays a style of music based on both Latin American and North American jazz. Their Dharmasound release is titled Moducué. Fast but light piano solos dance around a dead-on rhythm of bass and drum. “Uno Flor un beso ub Problema” is a standout. ” Astart” is a showcase for Strizzi’s percussion talent but the pianist and bassist remain amazing throughout the session. (Why, oh why, do these net labels not credit all of the group members?). There is not a weak track on this album which appeared to be mainly original compositions. Recommended to all jazz fans, latin music fans and…everybody!

The album is available in 192kbps MP3.

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Here is another excellent Italian jazz ensemble, Oprachina, a jazz quartet helmed by saxophonist Errico De Fabritiis and guitarist Massimo Bognetti. Their free online album The Jazz Farm offers a variety of jazz styles from straight ahead jazz to borderline avant-garde outings. Some tracks are duos like “Le Fiabe da Brno” and the pastoral “Porte D’Arce”. But the musicians really shine on the hard driving quartet tracks such as “Fat-fast” and “Nitro” where they are securely grounded in the tight rhythms of bassist Fabio Fochesato and drummer Adriano Galinari. This is a nice jazz adventure for the novice or experienced fan.

The album is available in 192kbps MP3.

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Nonagenarian Jaimina Johnson’s odd and beautiful albums are hard to classify. Her accappella choruses are led by her almost child-like voice and incorporates world music, classical choir music, and jazz into gentle harmonic gems.

So Many Songs and So Little Time are part of a trilogy of albums, the third to be released in the future. Many of the songs are in Spanish and the influence of Spanish/Latin American traditional music is quite noticeable. (While she was born in England she spent a good part of her life in Puerto Rico). On So Many Songs, the opening “Uno Queriendo Ser Dos” is a fine example of this. In all of her choruses, Ms. Johnson harmonic progressions are sometimes awkward but, like her often wavering voice, still retains a lot of charm. Her repertoire is wide, going from the folk and traditional to liturgical choir pieces such as “Bogoroditse Dievo” to “All I ask of You”from The Phantom of The Opera to “When You Get Caught” which is best known as “Arthur’s Theme” by Christopher Cross. All track are brought together by Johnson’s voice and her unique arrangements. But the most impressive turn is her solo rendition of Elton John’s “A Song For You”. I hope I can sing that well at 90. Come to think of it, I can’t sing that well now.

So Little Time continues both the variety and unique style of her first album. Of the twelve tracks, I especially am fond of the beautifully arranged “Ave Maria Immaculata” and the jazzy (and live) Strollin’. The album ends with a light and breezy cover of Gilbert O’Sullivan’s “What’s in a Kiss”. Overall the vocal arrangements are much tighter, as are Ms. Johnson vocals, making this the better of the two albums. However, both albums make for a delightfully different experience. Some people might call this outsider music but I think it’s too accomplished for that moniker, I might prefer calling it “Aural Folk Art” or perhaps just good music.

Both albums are available from Jamendo in VBR MP3, around 192kbps.

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So Little Time
So Many Songs

While the acoustic duo Le Flore Acoustique may be French in origin, they seem to be closer at heart to Brazil. There is a nice Bossa Nova/Latin American thing going on their two free online albums available from Jamendo.

The first album, titled simply 2005, is a bit more world oriented. The opening “Destruction” has a Middle Eastern influence and the last track has a funky blues feel. However the second song titled “Gentil” goes straight into a nice Brazilian guitar riff and stays there. Flore Dupont’s sensuous voice floats over the beautifully arranged lines of guitar, woodwinds and background vocals. Alex Alber is the other half of this duo and both parties play a barrage of instruments including guitar, keyboard, bass, and percussion. It is the delicate use of wind instruments and vocal backings that add so much to this pretty album. Make sure you check out the cool soprano sax solo on “Plus Léger”.

2006 is just as good. In fact, maybe a little better. The Brazilian influence is most prominent beginning with the jaunty “Ou Pour Prochain”. Alex Albers is also more prominent in the vocal department which is a plus. Check out his solo on “Raisons”. Good arrangements continue to raise the bar on this splendid release. The last track “Dors!” is an dream of a song with a great Dupont vocal plus nice marimba and flute accompaniment, but it has an odd conclusion with a long break of silence and then an accappela solo that tentatively ends in a giggle. It is a flawed ending to an almost perfect album.

Both albums are available as separate tracks or full album zip in VBR MP3.

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2005
2006

Le Ggril is that most cumbersome of all musical monsters, the avant-garde big band. The nature of the big jazz band is to allow improvisation over tightly structured arrangements. The big band is practically the opposite of avant-garde jazz which often respect freedom of sound over tonality, structure, or even rhythm.

Le Ggril is centered in Quebec, Canada and walks a tightrope between the improvised and the structured. The band’s arsenal of imaginative players borrow as much from post-classical as from free jazz. Their personnel is changeable but the unusual assortment of saxes, clarinet, accordions, violins, guitar and percussion seems to be the norm. The free self titled album has four tracks. Tracks 1,2 ,4 are directed by alto saxophonist Jean Derome with “Fire + Bebelle” most closely related to jazz. Tracks 2 and 4 are quieter and makes good use of long tones and well placed silence. Derome’s direction and playing is center toward exploring sounds and environment more so than totally free improvisation.

The same can be said for track 3 which is an extended 11 minute work featuring the improvisatory trio of Les Poules. Alto saxist Joane Hétu, percussionist Diane Labrosse, and samplist Danielle P. Roger tends to prefer long drones with free improvisation as accent. They mix well with the larger ensemble creating a well thought out atmospheric work.

The album is available from the excellent Insubordinations netlabel in 320kbps MP3.

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Killing Jazz hails from Madrid, Spain although you could easily mistake them for some swing and blues band out of Texas. Their two albums offer a nice blend of authentic sounding blues and swing jazz that would be welcomed in any juke joint bar I’ve ever been to and I’ve been to my share.

Their first album is the self titled Killing Jazz. Vocalist Miguel Ángel Cortés is pretty much in the spotlight throughout this set and he has the chops to deal with it. His voice has the right tone to carry the music but I especially like him on the jump blues/swing numbers like “Was You Happy?” “Fit Fat Fine” and the Texas swing “I Left My heart in Texas”. He’s a little too happy on down and dirty blues like “You Don’t Love Me”. After all…It’s the blues! But “You Don’t Love Me” also has the advantage of showing off Killing Jazz’s resident blues harpist Andi Martin nicely. Things come together the best on their cover of “Rack ‘Em Up”, which is mainly known for the recording by Jonny Lang. Killing Jazz’s version is mellower but still drenched in the blues.

Their second release is appropriately called 2nd Round. The band sounds tighter especially in the dead-on backing by drummer Marcos Molina and bassist Perico Gómez. Again it is a combination of blues and swing but with more emphasis on swing. Cortes’ vocals seem more nuanced and assured. One of the tests of a good blues group is how well they deal with non-blues material. Killing Jazz passes with flying colors on a nicely re-vamped swing blues version of the Isham Jones/Gus Kahn standard “It Had to Be You”. Also great is the very jazzy cover of Peggy Lee’s “I Don’t Know About You”. But before you think Killing Jazz may be getting a little too civilized, they end with a rousing “Tired of Talking” with killer guitar and harp solos. Both albums are ideal if you are looking for a good time blues sound.

The albums can be found at Jamendo in 192kbps MP3. Both Killing Jazz albums are free but Jamendo gives you the chance to show your appreciation by leaving a donation to the musicians. So if you like the music, support the artists!

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Killing Jazz
2nd Round

The Insubordinations net label is devoted to improvisatory music. Most of it is avant-garde and experimental to the extreme. However, Plastow’s online album Los Criminales Reciclados En Conductores De Autobuses, which was previously released under the name of The Johann Bourquenez Trio, keeps at least one foot in modern jazz. The trio, led by pianist Johann Boruquenez, reminds me a bit of McCoy Tyner’s more exploratory works especially in the fast and exciting opening track, “Yap-Yap”. The title track is also quite complex and a little more “out” there. Drummer Cyril Bondi lays a good strong beat but is also capable of providing color when necessary. Bassist Raphaël Ortis has a sensitive touch that is best on the quieter numbers like “Stase Psychique” and the hypnotic “Mairie Des Lilas”. Those who like good jazz and improvisatory music should consider this a must-have.

The album is available in 192kbps MP3 by separate tracks or a full album zip.

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Owltree’s Tender Pecking is another fine release from the Lo-Kiwi netlabel. Owltree specializes in chilled tempos combined with a smooth jazz sensibility. The result is a laid back sound that will please both ambient music fans and those who like their jazz on the quiet side. Check out the opening track “Head Swirlin” as an prime example of the cool vibes. Other favorites include “The Owls are Not What They Eat” and the well grooved “Sudden Dusk”.

The album is available as separate tracks or album zips in 192kbps MP3.

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I have spent a little time in Italian jazz clubs so I feel fairly safe saying that some of Europe’s best jazz musicians hail from Italy. (I have a French friend who would, and has, aggressively argued this with me). Pianist Paolo Pavan has to be one of the finer jazz artists in Italy and, from the sound of his free online album titled Inside, can clearly hold his own with the upper echelon of jazz musicians throughout the world.

Inside is an album of straight ahead acoustic modern jazz. Harking back to the post bop of Miles and Coltrane, it still manages to have a very modern sound along with solid improvisation. While some of the tracks tend to be a bit cerebral, the album has nice upbeat numbers in “Urban Slanging” and “Blue Night Dance”. Pavan’s keyboard work remains sensitive and sure throughout. However special mention should be made to saxophonist David Marinaci whose playing on “Opposites”, “What’s Up”, and “Urban Slanging” reminds me of Wayne Shorter. “Urban Standing” also features Pavan’s more soulful solos while his work on “Silents” exhibits a blues tinted but reflective side. There is some exceptional cool jazz meanderings from trumpet on “Silents” and “Through The Night”. (Note to musicians, especially those who distribute on Jamendo. Please credit all of your sideman) Of the online jazz albums I have featured, Inside goes right up with Jimmy Greene’s Brand New World and Steve Coleman’s Black Science as my top jazz recommendations.

The album is available from Jamendo in 192kbps mp3.

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Take a large dose of candlelight jazz, add a little down-tempo, a dash of minimalism and you just might come up with the tasty EP by the Incognito Traveller. This album is a delight of soft jazz and exotic rhythms. Muted trumpet colors most of the tracks as piano, guitar and percussion adds their own magic. “At The End of Mahoney Street” sounds like a overture to a French film noir. “A Couple Minutes With Eric” is a straight ahead and upbeat jazz number while “Chaleur” has an alluring vocal amongst its Latin beats. This is a great EP for those romantic moments and late night rendezvous.

The album is available from the Mexico based Discos Konfort netlabel in VBR MP3 (around 192kbps).

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You will probably find something you like on the online album No Flu Do Mundo by the Brazilian music artist Flu. Want a samba? You’ll find more than one. Like rock guitar? It’s there. Hip-hop? Try the title track. There a little psychedelica and jazz. In fact, it’s hard to pinpoint what style this eclectic artist is working in. What can be agreed on is that this is very likable music with a lot of wit and style. Each listening brings out something you missed before. It’s fun, snappy, but more complex than it sounds. In other words…it’s good.

No Flu do Mundo is available from the Bump Foot netlabel as separate files or album zip in 192kbps MP3.

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Tubifex is one of the tightest trip-hop / nu-jazz outings I’ve heard in a long time. Spacey electronics and dub-like beats convalesce in your mind and eases you slowly into a funky Turkish bath of sounds. Miki has a soothing and sexy voice while the rest of the band lays down exotic rhythms and jazzy riffs.

Subahar has a style that borrows fluently from jazz, world groove, and techno. “Narajano” and “Walking” offer middle Eastern and Reggae thrills respectively. “The Key” and “Gentle Giant” get downright funky while “Joint Venture” is nu-jazz with a cool guitar and flute solo. Don’t miss the delightful reggae romp “Ganesha Message”. Sharp arrangements and a very hip sound makes Tubifex highly recommended for your listening pleasure.

The albums is available from the Ouim netlabel in 320kbps MP3.

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The sound of Bluebridge Quartet harks back to the intelligent post-bop of Joe Henderson and Larry Young while bringing in the more current attributes of trip-hop and acid jazz. The four Swedish musicians play a variety of instruments but the prevailing mood is usually set by the saxophone of Simon Allzén and the Fender Rhodes or guitar of Jesper Svensson. The 20 minutes Adjusted For Low Tape Noise EP is primarily a team affair with little individual improvisation but the result is a quiet but masterful four tracks of atmospheric jazz.

The album is available from the Aerotone netlabel in 256kbps MP3.

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Où se cachent… is guitarist Tom La Meche’s fourth online album and like the others, is available through a creative common license. This time La Meche sticks to a jazz groove in a Pat Metheny style but is full of creative licks that are all his own. The improvisation is first rate. Check out the tasty “5 mai à 17h” as exhibit A. There is some nice variety on the album such as the reggae-tinged “Pantin des cendres ” and an after-hours “Blues de Novembre”. This is La Meche’s definitive statement so far and is a well produced showpiece for his talents.

The album is available in 256kbps MP3 from the download link below. You can also download his albums from Jamendo via bittorrent.

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Two albums of smooth jazz are available from guitarist and bassist Doug Carter’s Dark River Production web site. This is highly polished but slightly funky jazz fusion. It is a bit too smooth for my taste but I used to listen to jazz like this in my car while battling the LA freeway traffic jams; Mellow enough to soothe my nerves but not so calm it would put me asleep behind the wheel. The overall feel is of a sophisticated groove similar to Earl Klugh or George Benson. Well played, well produced, and a nice find for the smooth jazz lovers.

The albums are available in 192kbps MP3.

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