Alto saxophone maestro DAVID SANBORN has a new album out on September 13th. Produced by the legendary Phil Ramone it’s called ‘Only Everything’ and it’s released by Decca. The blues-inflected 8-track set reflects Sanborn’s interest in the music of Ray Charles and also Brother Ray’s sax man – and one of Sanborn’s earliest influences – Hank Crawford. Joss Stone features on ‘Let The Good Times Roll’ and James Taylor provides a vocal cameo on ‘Hallelujah, I Love Her So.’
Also out the same day on Decca is a career-spanning retrospective devoted to trumpeter-turned-music mogul, HERB ALPERT. ‘The Essential Herb Alpert’ is a 34-track 2-CD collection that features the LA trumpeter’s classic 60s material with his band, Tijuana Brass (tracks like ‘Spanish Flea’ and ‘A Taste Of Honey’), as well as later solo hits like ‘Rise’ and ‘Diamonds’ featuring Janet Jackson. Alpert’s classic 1967 Bacharach and David-penned chart topper, ‘This Guy’s In love With You,’ is also present in addition to a recent live CD, ‘Anything Goes,’ recorded with his wife, singer Lani Hall, in 2008. A brand new studio album, ‘I Feel You,’ is due in 2011.
Tenor sax man, KIRK WHALUM, returns with ‘Everything Is Everything,’ an 11-track homage on the Rendezvous label to ’70s soul icon, Donny Hathaway. It features cameos from Musiq Soulchild, Robert Randolph, Rick Braun and Hathaway’s oldest daughter, Lalah, on the soulful ‘You Had To Know.’ The album’s in the shops now.
Having parted company with Nonesuch, guitarist BILL FRISELL has signed with the Savoy Jazz label and is back with a new album, ‘Beautiful Dreamers.’ It’s a trio session, featuring viola player Eyvind Kong and drummer, Rudy Rosyton. A mixture of original material and covers, it includes Frisell’s take on Little Anthony & The Imperial’s ’60s soul classic ‘Goin’ Out Of My Head.’ The CD’s out on September 20th.
The much-maligned Pied Piper of smooth jazz, KENNY G, is the focus of a new DVD from Eagle Vision on 20th September. ‘Live At Montreux’ features two performances (from 1987 and 1988) recorded during the height of the saxophonist’s success with the Quiet Storm favourite ‘Songbird.’
Jazz reissues this month include two special editions of MILES DAVIS’ groundbreaking ‘Bitches Brew’ album. For those with a healthy bank account, the deluxe 3-CD/1-DVD ’40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition’ will prove irresistible – it includes some previously unheard studio outtakes, plus a full live concert recorded by Miles and his band at Tanglewood in August 1970. The set also includes a DVD showing colour footage of Miles from a gig in Denmark during 1969 as well as 180grm vinyl pressing of the LP complete in its original striking gatefold sleeve. For those with smaller pockets, Columbia have issued a 2-CD/-DVD ‘Legacy Edition’ which omits the Tanglewood concert and vinyl LP.
Finally, the UK’s Soul Brother label has just released a jazz-fusion ‘twofer’ this month from keyboard player, CEDAR WALTON. The set pairs the former Jazz Messengers’ 1978 Columbia set ‘Animation’ with 1980’s ‘Soundscapes.’ Both sets make their CD debuts. Look out for a full review soon at SJF. Click on the Soul Brother link at the bottom of the page for more info.
