Some notable songs for your listening pleasure from various albums from around the world.
Guajiro •••
Guajiro, featuring Terri Lyne Carrington, from the album Rumba by Rafael Zaldivar.
Its stiking and provocative Latin/Cuba tempo hines with life, without losing the subtlety for an intimate setting on some tropical paradise. Cuban pianist and composer Dr. Rafael Zaldivar performs his rumba with an ensemble comprised of many jazz and Afro-Cuban musicians, including Grammy winning and nominated artists Terri Lyne Carrington, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Miguel Zenon, Ingrid Jensen, and Amado Dedeu Garcias.
Lush Life ••• cover
Heather Ferguson, vocals
On her new album, Canadian-based Heather Ferguson is heard here in peak form awash in the elegant and mesmerizing sounds of saxophonist Barrie Sorensen and trumpeter Miquelito Valdes. Ms. Ferguson is a forceful vocalist, perfectly lovely in the middle of her voice, invariably poised on a variety of repertoire. Songs like “Body & Soul” and “At Last” are delivered beautifully with purity and intonation. It could not be more welcome when a recording transforms such popular songs, as this one does, setting it on a new plane. And as added bonus there is Barrie Sorensen (sax) and Miguelito Valdes (trumpet, flugelhorn) playing with subtle tonal shading that heightens the atmospheric evocation in the most engaging mix of exuberance and gravitas. Every change in mood of Ms. Ferguson’s voice is superbly crafted and judged by these musicians. The result is that the performance throughout the album is marvelously clean and the music itself can only be called luminous. Other standouts include the warm and tenderly moving “Stardust,” and “The Look of Love.”
Performers on Lush Life include Miguelito Valdes (trumpet, flugelhorn, congas), Barrie Sorensen (saxophone), Dr. Tony Genge (organ, piano), Jan Stirling (piano), Joey Smith (guitar, bass), Damian Graham (drums), and Kelby MacNayr (drums). Lush Life will be released worldwide on November 18th. The release will be celebrated with a performance at Hermann’s Jazz Club in Victoria, British Columbia, on the evening of November 18th.
We Never Stop •••
Candy Dulfer
After three decades of collaborations and world tours, plus chart-topping and high-selling solo career releases, Candy Dulfer is living proof of the title of her latest album, We Never Stop. The track “Convergency,” featuring three-time Grammy Award-winner Nile Rodgers (guitar), is richly imaginative and a truly heartfelt joy to listen to dance your summer away. This is smooth jazz with the music that is wonderfully ethereal with great verve and panache. Others can simply accept this performance as a thoroughly enjoyable romp. Also heard here on the album is Erich Cawalla (vocals and saxophone).
