Eliane Elias: Cross Current (1988)

Pianist Eliane Elias' second of two Denon CDs recorded before she hooked up with Blue Note is a lesser-known but worthy session. Elias is mostly featured in a trio with bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Jack DeJohnette performing originals, a pair of Charles Mingus compositions ("Peggy's Blue Skylight" and "East Coastin'"), "Beautiful Love," "When You Wish Upon a Star" and Bud Powell's "Hallucinations." Elias was quickly developing into a strong modern mainstream pianist. The concluding number ("Coming and Going") was written by her grandmother in 1927 at age 12 and features Elias with Gomez, drummer Peter Erskine, guitarist Barry Finnerty, percussionist Cafe and nine singers (including a few family members). Well worth searching for. - Scott Yanow
Tracklist:

1. Hallucinations
2. Cross Currents (Elias)
3. One Side of You
4. East Coasting
5. Comin' and Goin'
6. Campari & Soda
7. Beautiful Love
8. Impulsive
9. When You Wish upon a Star
Personnel:    
Jack DeJohnette - Drums
Peter Erskine - Drums, Vocals
Eddie Gomez - Bass
Randy Brecker - Vocals
Cafe - Percussion
Eliane Elias - Piano, Vocals
Doris Eugenio - Vocals
Barry Finnerty - Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals
Cross Currents
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Michel Portal: Bailador (2010)

We can define Michel Portal as a solitary adventurer amongst the jazz Icons, drawing his energy and inspiration from meetings, unexpected and unsuals. For his new album,"Bailador", he's facing himself with an hybrid band, as usual... The result is a mix of traditions, generations, with incredible musicians such as the americans Scott Colley/Jack DeJohnette, the guitarist Lionel Loueke from Benin, the young trumpet player Ambrose Akinmusire, and french pianist Bojan Z, who takes care of the album producing with talent and verve. Michel Portal doesn't care about music borders, he's not trying to break them, simply said, he's just ignoring them.

Tracklist:
01. Dolce 8:00
02. Bailador 7:35
03. Cuba Si, Cuba No 5:50
04. Ombres 5:08
05. Citrus Juice 9:21
06. Alto Blues 6:08
07. One On One 11:11
08. Tutti No Hysterique 3:48
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David Sanborn: Another hand (1991)

This is a definite departure for Sanborn as he goes outside to bring us "Another Hand". Looking at who he's playing with it's very obvious why he has taken the step over into Free Jazz, Bill Frisell and Charlie Haden. Haden was the bassist for the king of Free Jazz and fellow sax player, Ornate Coleman. Coleman could go so far outside that it would hurt. These outside tunes might be a little difficult for even jazz lovers to tolerate, but Sanborn only touches upon it leaving this album very easy to listen to.

The Frisell/Haden combo starts you off easy with Haden's "First Song" and Frisell's signature sound on guitar. Then comes Frisell's turn for one of his songs with "Monica Jane". Haden has a small bass solo in the middle. Lou Reed's "Jesus" is the surprise of this unique combo's reprituer as it stays pretty much inside, which must be the setup for jumping straight on over into Free Jazz with the medley bringing back memories of Coleman. Don't let these songs scare you, the first three from the combo are very well done, and easy on the ear. Plus, for every song he plays with Frisell and Haden, he plays one without them. "Weird from One Step Beyond" (Frisell appears here too) is a beautiful, soulful jazz tune. Sanborn's sax is dripping with emotion as he blows those beautiful notes. Another beautiful song is "Come to Me, Nina." Sanborn mirrors Terry Adams on the piano with great results. Sanborn kicks it in with "Hobbies", which is upbeat and flashy. There's a solo from one of my favorite pianists, Mulgrew Miller. Miller hangs out for "Dukes & Counts", another great tune.

This is one of those albums where an artist wants to step outside his confines and try a little something new. I have to applaud Sanborn for taking the risk, especially to try Free Jazz. Although I'm not a fan of Free Jazz, I still find this a great album. I'm not a big fan of the medley, but the rest of the album makes up for it. Sanborn sure can blow, and proves it on this album. He also surrounds himself with exceptional musicians. For more of Frisell and Haden, check them out with Ginger Baker on "Going Home", and for more Miller with Brian Lynch on "Tribute to the Trumpet Masters", both are excellent. 

Tracklist:

01. First Song 05:23
02. Monica Jane 05:32
03. Come To Me, Nina 05:29
04. Hobbies 04:59
05. Another Hand 06:44
06. Jesus 03:35
07. Weird From One Step Beyond 06:14
08. CEE 02:26
09. The Medley: Prayers For Charlie From The Devil At Four O'clock 12:22
10. Dukes & Counts 05:30

Personnel: David Sanborn (saxophones); Syd Straw (vocals); Lenny Pickett (tenor saxophone); Art Baron (trombone); Terry Adams, Mulgrew Miller (piano); Dave Tronzo (acoustic guitar); Bill Frisell, Marc Ribot, Al Anderson (guitars); Greg Cohen, Marcus Miller, Charlie Haden (bass); Joey Baron, Jack DeJohnette (drums); Don Alias (percussion)

Another Hand
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Antonio Farao: Thorn (2000)

Any pianist who can attract the likes of drummer Jack DeJohnette and bassist Drew Gress as part of a trio, and is joined by chic saxophonist Chris Potter on a few tracks, must have something going for him. Antonio Farao swings confidently on this set of original compositions, and although his playing is a tad derivative, there is no doubting his talent. The pianist fits in comfortably with his all-star colleagues, leaving little question that he has the ability to ride with the giants. His two-handed facility finds him equally at home with varied tempos and rhythmically challenging phrases. On the obstacle course he calls “Arabesco,” the pianist marches forward, backtracks, and then continues his progression, following a scintillating improvisation by the often dazzling Chris Potter. On “B. E.,” Farao plays it pretty and gentle, but not too sweet. Unlike some Italian jazz modernists, Farao does not add humor to the mix, and his compositions and solos do not covertly display the influences of his native land. Rather, his is a universal language that is as at home in Rome, Italy, as in New York City. While he adds little that is new, his solid technique and command should feel right at home anywhere on the globe; that is, where the universal language of modern jazz is spoken.

Tracklist:

1.Thorn
2.Time Back
3.Preludio
4.Epoche
5.Caravan
6.Arabesco
7.B.E.
8.Tandem
9.Malinconie
Personnel:
Antonio Farao (piano);
Chris Potter (soprano & tenor saxophones);
Drew Gress (bass instrument);
Jack Dejonette (drums)
Thorn
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