Chad LB; Time In A Bottle

It's pretty rare these days to find a “with strings” jazz album. Most CDs nowadays are self produced, and the cost of adding strings is most likely prohibitive. Whatever the case, strings provide a lovely “blanket” for tenor sax man Chad LB. His sound is big and deep and beautifully controlled, possibly reminiscent of someone like Gene Ammons. His song selections are nearly all familiar favorites from the past. The two “pop hits”  are the title tune “Time In A Bottle” and surprise, surprise, Sinatra's old opus, “My Way”. In addition we hear “Autumn Leaves”, “These Foolish Things”, “Danny Boy”, “Misty”, and more. No barriers broken here, but none are needed. Chad LB and friends simply choose some “great oldies”, providing pure pleasure for anyone to hear.

Self produced; 2025; appx. 60 min.

Jeff Libman; Feet Off The Ground

Vancouver, B.C.'s Cellar label just keeps cranking out one terrific CD after another. This time the head honcho is guitarist Jeff Libman and a straight ahead rhythm section of Michael Kocour, piano; Ben Hedquist, bass; and Lewis Nash, drums. Keeping with Cellar's usual format, the session is perfectly balanced between original material and notable standards. From the latter category, we are treated to such winners as “A Sleepin' Bee”, “You're My Thrill”, “Love Letters”, “But Beautiful”, and a particular fave of mine, “Violets For Your Furs”. By the way, just in case you've forgotten about Dexter Gordon's jazz “hit”, “Cheese Cake”, oddly titled from way back, well here it is again for you to enjoy. This is upbeat, perfectly performed jazz in the center of a great tradition. It's not surprising because it's simply a consistent dedication to artful music from our friends at Cellar.

Cellar Music Group; 2025; appx. 63 min.

The Dave Robbins Big Band; Happy Faces

It took well over a half century to get this swinging big band a recording. But here they are in 2025 with fourteen tracks recorded in 1963 and 1965! They were based in Vancouver, B.C. And, true to the album's title, I'm sure that they created throngs of happy faces. After all these years, some background is incomplete but that doesn't matter; what DOES is that this band performed well written original material with tight, creative arrangements and generous solo space. For the record, the one standard on the disk is Rodgers and Hart's classic “Spring Is Here”. When one thinks about it, one might realize that this is exceptional big band music that could have been lost to us forever. How nice indeed it is for us to enjoy it after all these years!

Reel to Real Records; 2025; appx. 70 min.

James Zito; Zito's Jump!

There are some players who just “get it right” and in hearing them, one picks up on their excellent musicianship from the first few bars. This is such a group. Led by guitarist James Zito, this octet wails through several original tunes, always swinging and always in charge of making it the real deal throughout. In addition to the outstanding playing on the Zito compositions here, there are a few standards that you surely would know. “The Nearness of You”, “The End Of A Love Affair”, “It Could Happen To You”, and “After You've Gone” bring additional musical joy to this session. Kudos to leader and guitarist Zito for putting together a memorable, solid recording.

James Zito Music; 2025; appx. 42 min.

Rodney Whitaker; Mosaic: The Music Of Greg Hill

Come what may, there are still dedicated guys and gals who are going to play the real deal no matter what. Such is the case with this terrific quintet under the leadership of bassist Rodney Whitaker. It should also be clear that one Gregg Hill writes material ideally suited to these players and their attachment to strong melodic content and solid, splendid solos. His daughter Rockelle adds a spicy touch on four well delivered vocals. Her father, Rodney, wisely calls upon “young veterans” like himself, in Terell Stafford, trumpet and flugelhorn; Tim Warfield, tenor sax; Rick Roe, piano; and Dana Hall, drums. Exciting, virile musicianship is the name of this game. These folks all walk the walk and you may be sure that there's not a gimmicky note to be found here. 

Origin Records; 2025; appx. 60 min.

Nick Hempton and Cory Weeds; Horns Locked

Decades ago, tenor duos were fairly common on recordings. It seems to have fallen out of fashion in recent years and that's why it's particularly nice to welcome two hard blowing tenor guys in Nick Hempton and Cory Weeds. This is essentially an opportunity for the co-leaders to exhibit their big time skills, feeding off one another and offering saucy, sumptuous solos. The tunes are powerful examples of “this is what I do” and NOT “look what I can do”. One of the familiar selections is the opener, James Moody's “Last Train From Overbrook”. Others include “Polka Dots & Moonbeams” and “When You're Smiling”. Hempton and Weeds are joined by a pulsating rhythm section of Nick Peck on Hammond B-3 organ, and Jesse Cahill on drums. This is a steamy session---full of fun and power-packed from note one.

Cellar Music; 2025; appx. 51 min.

Marilyn Kleinberg; Let Your Heart Lead The Way

With so many vocal albums concentrating on original compositions, it's sure nice to hear Marilyn Kleinberg singing thoughtful “forever” tunes. These are the works of great musical craftsmen, and Kleinberg puts them across with feeling and finesse. It certainly doesn't hurt that she performs here with such highly regarded players as John DiMartino, piano; Will Galison, chromatic harmonica: Noriko Ueda, bass; and Victor Lewis, drums. And how about these wonderful choices such as “Invitation”, “Alfie”, “Say It (Over And Over Again)”, “I Didn't Know What Time It Was”, and three especially delightful surprises, “I Didn't Know About You”, “I Just Found Out About Love”, and “You Won't Forget Me”. Thank you, Marilyn and friends, for a menu of great songs.

Waking Up Music; 2022; appx. 41 min.