Oberhofer - TIME CAPSULES II - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

John Ringhofer, the man behind Half-Handed Cloud, is as joyful and frugal as his music. An economical thinker, Ringhofer prefers the subway over a taxicab, is a recycler of plastic, a compulsive note-taker, and a habitual optimist. Half-Handed Cloud started as a home-recording project in Chattanooga, TN in 1999. Ringhofer was later based in the California Bay area for over a decade (where he worked as a part-time custodian) before moving with his young family to Helsinki, Finland in 2015 for his wife's linguistics research. Half-Handed Cloud is able to ensconce complicated theological concepts into catchy and sublime playground songs that refuse to condescend to it's subject or it's listener.

Eric Copeland - Black Bubblegum [COMPACT DISCS] date 07/08/2016

Hubbard was only 22 years old when he recorded the album, yet it showcases his prodigious talent and hints at the remarkable career he would go on to have. The album has become a classic in the hard bop genre, combining elements of bebop and blues with advanced harmonies and improvisational flair and features a stellar lineup of musicians, many of whom were already influential figures in the jazz world or would go on to become so Freddie Hubbard, Tina Brooks, McCoy Tyner, Sam Jones, Clifford Jarvis. InchOpen SesameInch is rooted in hard bop, a jazz style characterized by a mix of bebop's fast tempo and complex improvisations with blues, gospel, and R&B influences. Hubbard's trumpet playing is both aggressive and lyrical, marked by his technical precision and emotive phrasing. His performance is complemented by Tina Brooks' soulful tenor saxophone and McCoy Tyner's distinctive piano comping, which adds a rich harmonic layer. The album's compositions range from the upbeat and fiery title track InchOpen SesameInch, to the rich ballad InchBut BeautifulInch, and the bluesy groove of InchOne Mint JulepInch. The track InchGypsy BlueInch, written by Tina Brooks, is a highlight with it's sophisticated chord changes and melodic inventiveness. Open Sesame received critical acclaim upon and established Hubbard as one of the premier trumpet players of his generation. It's considered a cornerstone of Hubbard's career and a significant recording helped launch Hubbard into a long and successful career where he would collaborate with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Art Blakey, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter and remains an essential listen for anyone exploring Freddie Hubbard's discography.