A couple more CDs arrived in my mail slot recently and I've finally gotten around to giving them a spin.
First up is bassist, composer, bandleader and vocalist Brandi Disterheft. I've long been a fan of her athletic playing style and knew she was one to watch. She gets better with each recording and this one features a number of her own compositions. Particular standouts : the swinging "Portrait of Duke", the lovely "Blues for Nelson Mandela" , a reverent "Gratitude" and Brandi's gorgeous sensitive vocals on that classic "But Beautiful". She is in some very stellar company as well: Renee Rosnes on piano, Sean Jones on trumpet, Vincent Herring on alto sax, Gregory Hutchinson on drums, and Jane Drummond on flutes. I see a Juno nomination in her future for this one...
And now for something completely different - Quadro Nuevo and the aptly titled "Grand Voyage". It is indeed like being transported to a far off land "Die Reise nach Batumi" conjures up images of sitting in a Rick's Cafe in "Casablanca" and observing all the local colour. A fun and electic assortment of instrumentation from Glockenspiel to bouzouki, harp to saxophone and accordion makes this recording a constant aural discovery. " Cancao do Mar" whisks you away to Brazilian beaches and the playful "Krim" and "Meteora" hints of an adventure in Istanbul, "Aus der Still der Nacht" a dreamy evening in Vienna,perhaps and "Secret Garden" - pure enchantment
This recording makes it easy to travel the world without leaving your living room or your iPod.
No comments:
Post a Comment