EXTENDED PLAY - What I Heard on My Summer Vacation – by Cathy Riches

Hey Eugene!
Pink Martini
Audiogram ADCD 10211 (www.pinkmartini.com)
CD

The “little orchestra that could” keeps chugging along on their eclectic and category-defying track with their third CD “Hey Eugene.”  Singer extraordinaire China Forbes switches gears effortlessly between styles and languages with songs in English, Spanish, French, Japanese and Russian and ranging in mood and era from old time Hollywood, R&B, bossa nova, French music hall and light classical. Founder/pianist Thomas Lauderdale and a cast of dozens add coal to the fire. The title track is a total gas. Concert Note: Pink Martini will perform at Massey Hall on March 15.


The Night We Called It a Day
Blue Martini Jazz
Ensomenic Media EM-005 (www.bluemartinijazz.com)
CD
 
Keeping with the coloured martini theme, Blue Martini has come out with “The Night We Called it a Day.” The Toronto-based duo, saxophonist Pat Perez and singer Jeanine Mackie, has given us a collection of beautiful jazz ballads. Hired guns Mark Eisenman, Neil Swainson, Terry Clarke and Eric Boucher turn in their usual stellar work. Perez showcases his considerable talents on two up tempo instrumental numbers, Solar and Summer Night, otherwise it’s Mackie’s show. More Julie London than Ella Fitzgerald, her singing style is sultry and accessible. Drawing on the standard book with sprinklings of more up-to-date tunes, this evocative disc transports the listener to a time when music was live and clubs were smoky. Concert Note: Blue Martini Jazz performs at the Capitol Event Theatre on Yonge St. September 20.


From Sea to Sky
Laila Biali
CBC Records TRCD 3022
CD
Game of Life
Celso Machado
CBC Records TRCD 3021
CD
 
The CBC has gotten behind two talented musicians and released a pair of new discs on their label. First, keyboardist and singer, Laila Biali’s “From Sea to Sky” covers mostly Canadian songs: Feist’s Mushaboom, Ron Sexsmith’s Secret Heart, Joni Mitchell’s Woodstock and Sarah McLachlan’s Ice Cream all get jazzy, loving treatments that retain the essence of the songs while adding innovative touches. Band mates are the crème de la crème of the Toronto scene: Phil Dwyer, Don Thompson, Guido Basso, Rob Piltch, George Koller and Larnell Lewis. Second, Brazilian ex-pat, Celso Machado, has written all of the lovely, complex, hip-moving tunes on “Jogo da Vida” and sings and plays guitar and a wide array of percussion (both traditional and, interestingly, whatever was lying around the studio floor - such is the skill of a true musician). Joining him are local and imported players Carlinhos Machado, David Virelles, Cyro Baptista and Rich Brown. Local songstresses Eliana Cuevas and Guiomar Campbell, nimbly negotiate the million words a minute typical of many Brazilian songs.


Look Left
Christine Jensen
Effendi FND062
CD
Flurry
Nordic Connect
ArtistShare AS 0062
CD
 
The Jensen sisters have been busy. Saxophonist Christine Jensen has released her third disc “Look Left”. As composer of the majority of the tunes, she cites influences geographical - Paris and Vancouver Island, musical - Lee Konitz and Dewey Redman, and political – the invasion of Iraq, as the inspiration for this modern swing and bop collection. Supported ably by Dave Restivo on piano, Ken Bibace on guitar, Fraser Hollins on bass and Greg Ritchie on drums, the communication between the players enhances the originality of the compositions. Talented big sister Ingrid Jensen is the driving force behind Nordic Connect’s CD “Flurry”. Based in New York, the trumpeter has a rich track record of live performances, recordings and accolades to her name. Christine Jensen and keyboardist Maggi Olin are the other main components of Nordic Connect, and although Christine has written a number of the tunes, the mood of this record is a little mellower and more reflective.


Honestly
Clara Godfrey
Independent CGDC001 (www.claragodfrey.com)
CD
 
Toronto-based singer-songwriter Clara Godfrey has released her debut CD “Honestly”. Godfrey’s light, pretty voice contrasts interestingly with the song writing style which is firmly rooted in gospel and soul with some jazz and classical touches. Intelligent, personal lyrics populate the songs and the standout track is Whole Woman which features Dave Dunlop, Dave Wiffen and Aaron Gotfryd on horns. The rest of the skilled musical backing comes from Mark Camilleri, David Grey, Jon Maharaj and Mark Inneo, with a little cello added by Sharon Prater for good measure.


Dream Situation - Possicobilities
Coco Zhao
Effendi FND065
CD
 
Heading east – Far East – Shanghai-based Coco Zhao brings us “Dream Situation”. The opening track Full Moon, Blooming Flowers is a stunningly beautiful ballad that showcases Zhao’s otherworldly voice. Sung entirely in Mandarin, with lyrics and titles translated to English for the liner notes, the songs vary between ballads and up tempo swing. The latter are less suited to Zhao’s singing abilities, but the band, in particular Peng Fei’s awe-inspiring violin playing, make up for any minor vocal shortcomings. In all, this is a fine record that would be an unusual addition to a jazz aficionado’s collection.