Bendik Hofseth: Metamorphoses (1995)

Norwegian saxophone player Bendik Hofseth first made a name for himself more than twenty years ago when he joined one of the super groups of jazz, the New York-based Steps Ahead. In the 90s he moved on to a diverse solo career that comprised pure pop albums as well as more conceptual outings, shifting between musical genres and expressions as well as language. In recent years he has first and foremost stood forth as a player of the game of culture politics. Because without the political support and regulation there can be no great art, thinks Hofseth, at least in our day when artistic livelihood has been rendered precarious by the digital revolution.

Tracklist:

1. 15'th Chapter Ver.1 (3:38) [Bendik Hofseth]
2. Narcissus (:51) [Bendik Hofseth]
3. Pomona and Vertumnus (7:27) [Bendik Hofseth]
4. Ceyx Leaves Alcyone Alone (4:58) [Bendik Hofseth]
5. Storm (3:13) [Bendik Hofseth]
6. Echo (3:45) [Bendik Hofseth]
7. Narcissus and Echo (8:46) [Bendik Hofseth]
8. Hypnos (5:44) [Reidar Skar, Bendik Hofseth]
9. Ceyx and Alcyone To 2 Birds (4:42) [Bendik Hofseth]
10. Pomona and Vertumnus 2 (3:15) [Bendik Hofseth]
11. 15'th Chapter Ver.2 (2:19) [Bendik Hofseth]
Personnel:
Bendik Hofseth: saxphones
Mike Mainieri : vibraphone
Eivind Aarset : guitars
Anders Jormin : bass
Talvin Singh : tablas
Jon Christensen: drums, percussion
Paolo Vinaccia : percussion (on 4,7,8)
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Wes Montgomery - Bumpin' At Sunset (2007)

Superb and fine compilation of Wes Montgomery's tracks with wide range of guest artists as Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Paul Chambers and many others.
Tracklist
1. A Day In The Life (5:45)
2. The Shadow Of Your Smile (2:18)
3. Up And At It (4:15)
4. Bumpin' On Sunset (4:50)
5. The Joker (3:26)
6. Movin' Wes (pt. 1) (3:30)
7. Impressions (5:04)
8. Milestones (4:10)
9. The Surrey With The Fringe On Top (5:19)
10. Angel (2:48)
11. Sunny (4:04)
12. O.G.D. (Road Song) (6:06)
13. Tequila (3:21)
14. 13 (Death March) (5:21)
15. Caravan (2:38)
16. The Other Man's Grass Is Always Greener (2:32)
17. What The World Needs Now (4:59)
Bumpin' At Sunset

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Steps Ahead: Step by Step (1980)

This killer group consists of Michael Brecker (ts), Steve Gadd (d), Eddie Gomez (b) Don Grolnick (p), and Mike Mainieri (vibes). One of three releases available from Japan only, this excellent recording was recorded in the studio under the name Steps.

Tracklist

01. Uncle Bob
02. Kyoto
03. Belle
04. Bullet Train
05. Six Persimmons
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Mike Mainieri: An American Diary - The Dreaming (1999)

The Dreamings is the second volume of Mike Mainieri's An American Diary project. The vibraphonist and leader appears primarily with saxophonist George Garzone, bassist Marc Johnson, and drummer Peter Erskine. But thanks to the rotating cast of guest musicians, each track is a wholly new experience, distinguished by unexpected timbres and colors. Especially noteworthy are George Garzone's clarinet on "One Night in Paradise," Erik Friedlander's cello on "Planting Rice Is Never Fun," Simon Seven's didgeridoo on "The Dreamings," and Arto Tuncboyan's sazabo on "Dear, My Friend (The Gift)." Mainieri's goal was to explore his musical upbringing in an American immigrant family, as well as his later experiences as a traveling musician. His first American Diary record included music by composers as far apart as Aaron Copland and Frank Zappa. This diary entry has an even broader scope, including folk material from the Philippines and Yemen, as well as original pieces inspired by Australian aborigines, gypsies, and the Navajo and Apache tribes. Mainieri's use of the term "American" is therefore expansive, and subtly provocative. But the session never comes across as stilted political correctness or contrived world music. It swings. And in the process, it communicates with the listener in a genuine, unaffected way.

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The Dreaming (RS) / The Dreaming (MU)

Mike Mainieri: An American Diary (1994)

In addition to a few group originals, vibraphonist Mike Mainieri performs some unusual pieces with his quartet (Joe Lovano on tenor, soprano, and alto clarinet; bassist Eddie Gomez; and drummer Peter Erskine) on this CD, including two folk songs and selections by Leonard Bernstein ("Somewhere"), Frank Zappa ("King Kong"), Aaron Copland ("Piano Sonata"), Roger Sessions ("Piano Sonata No. 1"), and Samuel Barber ("Overture to the School for Scandal"). The pianoless quartet (which displays a lot of versatility by Joe Lovano) turns all of the music into creative jazz. The most interesting aspect to this thought-provoking disc is how difficult it is to tell which compositions are taken from classical music and which are new. There is a surprising unity to the potentially difficult material; the performances on the rather moody outing reward repeated listenings.

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Official Website

An American Diary

David Sanborn: Heart to Heart (1978) mp3 @ 320K

By the time of his third album, altoist David Sanborn's popularity and influence was growing month by month. Most of these numbers feature Sanborn with an enlarged rhythm section (with such studio vets as guitarists Hugh McCracken and David Spinozza, Don Grolnick or Richard Tee on keyboards, vibraphonist Mike Mainieri, bassist Herb Bushler and drummer Steve Gadd). However, "Short Visit" is something special, for Sanborn was joined by what was mostly the Gil Evans Orchestra; Evans even wrote the chart. Otherwise, this is a typical Sanborn release with plenty of danceable rhythms and the focus on his passionate alto.

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Heart to Heart

L'Image: 2.0 (2009) mp3 @ 320K

L'Image are: Mike Mainieri (vibraphone), Warren Bernhardt (keyboards), David Spinozza (guitar), Tony Levin (basses, chapman stick), Steve Gadd (drums). The album is recorded 28 September - 4 October 2008 at NRS Studios Catskill, NY. Contains 8 tracks plus one bonus (L'Image 8:23 by M. Mainieri).

Highly recommended!!!