VICTOR LITTLE
Inner Portrait [victorlittlemusic.com] Bay Area badass Victor Little’s debut not only shows off some of the region’s best talent (including monster gospel bassist Joel Smith on drums!), but also marks the arrival of a tuneful new compositional voice. Coproduced with longtime Santana cohort Myron Dove, Inner Portrait is a hip blend of modern R&B and uptempo funk-oriented fusion. Little stays melodic and fresh, and shows off a groove concept that does justice to the disc’s origination in Oakland, California—home of Tower Of Power, Larry Graham, the Headhunters, and much more funky music. (JH)
FALL OUT BOY
Folie à Deux [Island] If you’ve dismissed Fall Out Boy as a juvenile pop-punk band with little to offer, you’ve done yourself a disservice. Celebrity darling Pete Wentz and his band have taken flack for placing image before substance, but Fall Out Boy’s latest proves the band’s talents go deep. Patrick Stump’s vocal twists and turns seem lifted from the pages of Elvis Costello, and perhaps they are—Costello lends background vocals on “What a Catch, Donnie.” Elsewhere, fellow punk vet Deborah Harry guests on “West Coast Smoker.” It seems Wentz and the boys have learned a thing or two from their elders in their transition from punk brats to powerpop torchbearers. They should be proud. (BF)
MIKE STERN
New Morning: The Paris Concert [Telarc] In addition to being a leading light as a jazz artist, guitar savant Stern is a key barometer of bottom end, thanks to his regular rotation of a half-dozen bass heavies (including Anthony Jackson, Richard Bona, and Victor Wooten). The latest in the lauded loop, Tom Kennedy (on his Fodera five), joins Stern, drummer Dave Weckl, and saxophonist Bob Franceschini for this rousing set, recorded in May 2008. Kennedy’s extensive jazz career as a doubler, as well as his having played regularly with fellow St. Louisnative Weckl since the pair were teens enables him to immediately establish his own voice as a Stern supporter. He swings hard and solos confidently on the opening minor blues, “Tumble Home,” while demonstrating his command of dynamics on “Wishing Well” and “Wing and a Prayer” (Stern’s ballad tribute to Jaco). On the funk side, Kennedy is all over the frenetic feels of “Chatter” and “Chromazone,” with a surprise highpoint coming via his groove solo on “That’s All It Is.” The DVD also includes an insightful interview with Stern at soundcheck. (CJ)
RINSETHEALGORITHM
Locutions [cdbaby.com] Canadian bassist Rich Brown is the baddest guy you’ve never heard of. Let’s hope this release—a stunningly deep set of cutting-edge jazz—will begin to remedy that injustice. Brown possesses a fluid and original voice, dynamic and sensitive instincts, and an intellectual, but soulful compositional talent. A veteran of the “MBASE” style pioneered by saxophonist Steve Coleman, Brown’s rhythmic concept is highly evolved and deserves close study, as does his creative and compelling bass playing. This is a must-buy. (JH)
BRUCE GERTZ QUINTET
Reptilian Fantasies [Open Mind Jazz] Evocative melodies and textures snake throughout this aptly-named superior set by mainstay Boston bassist and Berklee instructor Bruce Gertz. Guiding and inspiring his quintet (featuring sax monster Jerry Bergonzi) with big-toned backbone and probing solos, Gertz gets compositionally creative on “You’re Invited” and “Cryptic Current.” The former is a two-horn-and-bass rumination (plus an alternative take played with a bow), while the latter is a rondo alternating written horn melody and improvised bass melody. (CJ)
JIM CROCE
You Don’t Mess Around With Jim [R2m] The moustache-sporting, cigar-smoking, denimwearing dude on this album’s cover seems lifted straight from the lyrics of Jim Croce. Of course, it’s the singer-songwriter himself, staring down the camera with a clenched jaw and suspicious gaze. As tough as Croce may wish to appear, this 1972 collection of songs provides an alternate view of a sensitive artist who’s seen some tough times. Croce’s downhome style and honest delivery make this album this great, but those tender moments and ironic lyrical punchlines might fail to connect without his band of musical brothers. Joe Macho plays with guts and gusto on most tracks, with Jim Ryan handling bass on “Box #10” and keyboardist Tommy West laying it down on “Walkin’ Back to Georgia,” “Photographs and Memories,” and the perennial Croce hit “Time in a Bottle.” Prepare to be heartbroken, enlightened, and entertained. (BF)
TOUR PICK
PHISHFetch the biodeisel and pack the hacky sacks—Phish is back! With rumors of a Phish set at June’s Bonnaroo music fest and plans for a larger summer tour, 2009 looks to be a good year for jam fans. Mike Gordon has spent the past few years stretching his ears in a variety of musical settings, and there’s no telling how those experiences might inform his onstage explorations this summer. That is a beautiful thing. (BF)
3/6–8 Hampton, VA
6/4–5 Wantagh, NY
6/6 Mansfield,MA
6/7 Camden, NJ
6/9 Asheville, NC
6/16 St. Louis,MO
6/18 Burgettstown, PA
6/19 Noblesville, IN
6/20–21 East Troy, WI
BF Brian Fox
BL Bill Leigh
CJ Chris Jisi
JH Jonathan Herrera