JazzHouston: Local CD's N-Z

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CD Releases From The Houston Jazz Community (Page Two)

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Necessary Tension

Necessary Tension
The Thursday night band at Rudz since 1991, has finally put out documentation of their existence and justification for their longevity. This live disk features many moments of inspired playing. What makes this CD unusual, however, is that none of the tunes have titles. Each cut represents an excerpt from one or more free improvs. We look forward to its sequel. Featuring Bob Chadwick (leader), Harry Sheppard, David Craig, Keith Karnaky, and Erich Avinger. For more info, contact Nick

Dave Nichols

Waltz of Hope: The Music of Dave Nichols
Two and a half years after his death, a compilation of bassist Dave Nichols' music has been released. Participating on this project is a Houston all-star lineup: Joe LoCascio, Warren Sneed, Dave Caceres, Paul Chester, Ted Wenglinski, Bob Chadwick, Joe Ferreira, Tim Solook, Andrew Lienhard, Dennis Dotson and Dallas bassist Cliff Schmidt.

Calvin Owens

True Blue The line between styles of music often gets blurred beyond the point of usefulness. So, what kind of record is this release from trumpeter Calvin Owens? Blues? With people like B.B. King (Owens' former boss) & Johnny Copeland dropping by, absolutely. Jump-swing? Sure, the trendy folks certainly can wiggle to the fast tracks. Jazz? Look out when David "Fat Head" Newman or Shelley Carroll make an appearance. Everyone can dig this record.
Warning: Only the most brutal lead trumpet players need apply for this gig---this is one rough assignment!

Harry Sheppard

Points Of View. His last two CD's feature drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith and members of the Rippingtons. This is the vibraphonist's third release on Justice Records.

Check out Harry's online catalog (album info and track samples) on Music Boulevard. They're selling some of his CD's for $4.49 each!

	Phil Settle Phil Settle & Friends-Santa Monica Pier A quick straw poll around town indicated that a lot of folks knew & worked with Phil Settle when he was living here in Houston. "So what's he up to?" This CD oughta get you up to speed. Ten tracks from April 1998 give a glimpse into whuzzup with Phil. The first name to leap off the liner notes is fellow Houston refugee Herman Matthews--apparently he had a little time between Tower Of Power gigs, and he holds the drum chair with his usual aplomb. Check out the backbeat on "She Can Do No Wrong" & "Yo Mama". Phil's guitar playing and vocals are favorably reminiscent of Robben Ford--guitar wannabe's should pay attention. Just another beautiful day in Santa Monica...only this time somebody remembered to bring the multitrack.
	Warren Sneed Brothers. An excellent debut CD from one of Texas' finest saxophonists. It features Jimmy Haslip, bassist with the Yellowjackets, and a whole slew of Houston players including Dennis Dotson. The music targets the adult contemporary market while sneaking in the sensibilities of a seasoned straight-ahead musician. The production values and cover design are immaculate too.
	SolarWind Five Sheets To The Wind Back in the good-old-days of fusion, before it became the "f" word, there were bands o' plenty dishing out compelling, interesting, even melodic instrumental adventures. These guys harken back to those days, and they do so without a hint of apology. Think Jean-Luc Ponty, with a sax replacing the violin. There are shades of Al Dimeola, Weather Report, and other influences of the 70's kind. "Mike's Turn" & "A Walk In The Desert" are particularly hummable tunes, yet completely different stylistic. Downsides? Well, lengthy solos are what made early fusion great (or was that "grate"?), but any album that contains a baritone sax solo that clocks in at nearly five minutes should be viewed with a modicum of caution. The tunes'll bring you back, though.
	Still Cookin' Still Cookin'. A compilation from the San Francisco acid jazz label, Love 'n' Haight Records (part of Ubiquity Records). Features yours truly, Andrew Lienhard, on the Fender Rhodes. Distributed wherever trendiness prevails. Check out Still Cookin' (album info and track samples) on Music Boulevard.
	Stratus Anabolic-Live At The Ale House. Sometimes, you get lucky. On a night where some truly unbelievable playing was going on, the tape machine happened to be running. Thanks to someone hitting the "record" button (Bill Sukhun), the weekend at the Ale House has been distilled into a CD for your permanent enjoyment. The music is not for the faint of heart, as this is no-holds-barred original music. "Fusion" doesn't seem to fully describe what these guys were/are doing, but it's as good a starting place as any. Featuring Paul Chester (guitar), Ted Wenglinski (keyboards), David Caceres (sax), Todd Harrison (drums), & the late Dave Nichols (bass). Hmmmmmmm. Maybe luck had nothing to do with it........... Guild Records

	Stratus Iconoclast. The second release from Houston's best fusion aggregation. They're what you'd get if Holdsworth, the Yellowjackets, and Scott Henderson were rolled into one. Great stuff. Featuring: Paul Chester, Dave Nichols, Ted Wenglinski, Todd Harrison, and Dave Caceres. Virtual Records.
	The Testostertones Speak!. Does the name say it all, or what?!? Guitarist Tim Harris died in 1995 taking from Houston one of its finest musicians. Together with Warren Sneed, David Foster, and Todd Harrison, they forged an edgy, jazz-rock-funk-reggae sound. Virtual Records.

Bubbha Thomas
Gris

The Grissle. If you look up "eclectic" in the dictionary, you just might find this album cover. Monsieur Thomas' accomplishments in the education field have been so impressive (the highly esteemed Summer Jazz Workshop, the Jazz & Poetry clinics for younger kids), they have virtually eclipsed his playing career. With this release, however, he makes apparent that playing music is where it all came from, and where it's going. The laundry list of players on this release perform in a rainbow of styles: jazz, r&b, hip-hop, gospel, funk. The result is a delight for those with tastes broad enough to not put barriers on music. Lightin' Records

Universal Joint
Deepin'

Deepin'. Acid Jazz brought to you by Eddy Hobizal and Peter Lucas. Some of the tracks are full-blown funkiness, others are samples of swirling weirdness -- listen to Sebastian Whittaker talking trash on Track 10, "CyberJive". Numerous Houston players participate in this pastiche, including the masterful Chris Dave (from the band Mint Condition). Also, David Craig, Dennis Dotson, Mike Severson David Caceres, Andre Hayward, David Detweiler, Aaron Lington, Keith Vivens, and Bob Chadwick.

Tod Vullo

Uh-Huh!. The long overdue debut CD from guitarist Tod Vullo featuring guitar legend Herb Ellis. Other players include Rick Jackson on B-3, Dave Caceres, Dave Nichols, and Tim Solook. Virtual Records.

	Mike Wheeler Indian Summer. The debut CD for guitarist Mike Wheeler featuring Todd Harrison, Aric Nitzberg, and Danny Ward. The CD was recorded at Willie Nelson's Austin ranch in 1994. Pendernales Records.
	Sebastian Whittaker Valley Of The Kings. Bash's resume reads like New York City's jazz union book: Frank Lacy, Jessie Davis, Jackie Terranson, Brad Mehldau, Mark Levine, Kenny Werner, Milt Hinton, etc. His fourth release downsizes to a quartet with Shelley Carroll, sax; Stefan Karlsson, piano; and David Craig, bass. All tunes by the drummer! Justice Records.

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