Geoff Leigh & Yumi Hara - Upstream - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

To Future Memories - The Music of Antti Hytti features Finland's legendary master saxophonist/flutist Juhani Aaltonen (b. 1935) with his extended quartet that here includes, in addition to it's regular members pianist Iro Haarla, bassist Ulf Krokfors and drummer Reino Laine, also bassist Ville Herrala and percussionist Tatu RInchnkkInch. They bring additional rhythmic diversity to the music compared the quartet's much lauded first recording, Conclusions (TUM 21). On To Future Memories, Aaltonen presents a selection of compositions by composer, bandleader and bassist Antti Hytti (b. 1952), many of which were originally composed by Hytti for feature movies or short films in the 1980s and 1990s, with Aaltonen as a featured soloist already on the original movie versions. The compositions range from the beauty and quiet contemplation of InchUrsulaInch, InchKukunorInch and the title tune to the mystical unknown worlds of InchHiisiInch and InchHazeInch but also include Aaltonen improvising on the tenor saxophone at the top of his powers on InchReminiscenceInch and InchAll The BirdsInch.

Geoff Keezer (Art Farmer, Slide Hampton, Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers+)-pno, Steve Nelson-vibes Neil Swaison-bs, live at Toronto's Montreal Bistro, 1993.

... superb. Stradling is a composer of unusual and original melodies and arrangements that are thoughtful, intelligent, and emotive. - Amazon. Los Angeles-based composer/arranger/keyboardist Geoff Stradling has spent most of his decades-long career focused on the success of other's films, TV shows and albums he's been associated with. All along, his StradBand acted as a workshop for his concepts and a collective project for many of his colleagues. With Nimble Digits, the band takes center stage, highlighting the wide breadth of the modern jazz orchestra - from the styles originated by Gil Evans, to post-Miles fusion, to Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian influences. He wields his ensemble the way the best bandleaders always have, playing to individual musicians' strengths while maintaining a strong & personal harmonic, contrapuntal, and textural thematic throughout. L.A.'s musical talent pool is dozens deep at every chair, and many of it's brightest stars are here, with thirty-one musicians bringing Stradling's music to life.