New Release Round-up,
Jazz Hi-Res Round-Up - 14th August 2020
For this week’s jazz round-up, we’ve highlighted some new additions to the Presto Jazz catalogue that are available as high-quality FLAC downloads for the cleanest possible listening experience. We’ve got a jazz quartet covering Paul Simon songs, the final album from sax legend Jimmy Heath, and tender solo cello and vocal music from Cuban cellist Ana Carla Maza. There’s also the latest from seasoned trumpeter Eddie Henderson, as well as a ‘lost album’ from Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers.
A digital-only release from last month by cellist and vocalist Ana Carla Maza, featuring a selection of solo cello and vocal songs from the cellist’s original compositions to bossa tunes from her native Cuba. Combining the vocal traditions of popular songs with a mixture of classical and jazz techniques, Maza’s minimal arrangements make for some intimate performances, the percussive acoustic sound of her cello marrying well with her voice.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
I’ve already sung the praises of bassist Roger Kintopf’s intriguing ‘chordless’ record Structucture. Kintopf leads his quartet with two saxophones providing the melodic content, backed up with busy drumming that nicely accentuates the bandleader’s punchy basslines. Now one can appreciate the dueling saxophones, tight drum-bass interplay, and dizzying rhythmic explorations with the highest level of detail.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Perhaps best known for his tenure with Herbie Hancock’s band during the pianist’s Mwandishi period, as well as the likes of Pharaoh Sanders and Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, trumpeter Eddie Henderson’s latest record Shuffle and Deal is also available digitally from Smoke Sessions. A mixture of standards and original pieces, including some by his wife Natsuko Henderson and his daughter Cava Menzies, the release of the album coincides with the eve of the trumpeter’s eightieth birthday. There’s echoes of that early 70’s Hancock vibe in tracks like his pianist Kenny Barron’s tune ‘Flight Path’, while Henderson also tackles the age-old tradition of pop arranged for jazz band with his version of ‘Over the Rainbow’.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Released just last month on Blue Note is Just Coolin’, an album recorded in the late 50’s and never released until now by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers. In an age where ‘lost albums’ seem to be surprisingly common, with archival releases from the likes of John Coltrane and Miles Davis finally seeing the light of day, more Blakey to add to the collection is more than welcome, featuring a somewhat short-lived lineup of the Jazz Messengers featuring Hank Mobley on tenor sax - who also contributes the tunes ‘M&M’ and ‘Just Coolin’’ - as well as trumpeter Lee Morgan, pianist Bobby Timmons and bassist Jymie Merritt. Just Coolin’ is available in CD and vinyl formats, as well as various lossless digital formats.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC, Hi-Res+ FLAC
Joshua Lee - Jazz Content
