Sounding Off. - Review - sound recording review

Ebony, August, 2001 by Lynn Norment

This year is the 75th anniversary of the birth of two of the all time greatest jazz musicians: MILES DAVIS was born in May 1926 in Alton, Ill., and JOHN COLTRANE in September in Hamlet, N.C. Davis, who died in September 1991 at the age 65, is among a trumphet the most talented, most innovative and most revered jazz artist ever. He received a trumpet for his 13th birthday, and by 16 was playing professionally. At 18 he moved to New York and found Charlie Parker, who became his musical mentor. Before he turned 19, Davis made his first recording (found on the First Miles Savoy collection) and began making a name for himself in jazz circles. In addition to Parker, he hung out with John Coltrane, Dizzie Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Max Roach and other jazz legends. Davis' K/nd of Blue (Columbia, 1959) is considered one of the greatest jazz albums of all times. Among other notable Miles Davis recordings are Chronicle: The Complete Prestige Recordings 1951-1956 (eight-CD set), The Columbia Years 1955-1985 (four-CD set), and Birth of the Cool (Capitol, 1957).

Few musicians have had the breadth and pervasiveness of influence on jazz as John Coltrane, considered the greatest tenor saxophonist. After playing in the Navy band in the mid-1940s, he gigged with bands in his hometown Philadelphia and built a reputation as a tenor sax master. He joined the Miles Davis Quintet in 1955; the two played together during other periods as well. Coltrane died in 1967 at age 40. Among Coltrane's best recordings are Blue Train (Blue Note, 1957), Giant Steps (Atlantic, 1960, all Coltrane compositions), My Favorite Things (Atlantic, 1961), A Love Supreme (Impulse, 1964), and The Heavyweight Champion: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (Atlantic/Rhino, 1995), a seven-CD set.

MAXWELL is back with another soulful, seductive recording, NOW (Columbia), that is sure to top the charts while soothing and satisfying devout fans with his mesmerizing, romantic, soaring falsetto and mellow grooves. As the artist himself says, the CD is eclectic and has "hard stuff, funky stuff, sex stuff and stuff to make teenage girls cry."

LONDA LARMOND makes an inspired debut with Love Letters (EMI Gospel). The 25-year-old Canadian artist who formerly performed with Sharon Riley & Faith Chorale, delivers a fresh, innovative perspective on the R&B pop-gospel genre. Among standouts are the bouncy "Once," which is featured on the WoW Gospel 2001 recording, the pretty, easy-flowing "He Lives," and the pumping "Ascension"

ALSO NOTED: Blu Cantrell debut, So Blu (Arista); Patti Austin, On the Way to Love (WB); Art Blakey, A Night at Birdland, Vols. 1 & 2 (Blue Note); Kermit Ruffins, 1533 St. Philip Street (Basin St.); A Twist of Marley (Verve), with Gerald Albright, Patti Austin, Jonathan Butler, Will Downing, Lisa Fischer, Maxi Priest and Lee Ritenour; Ray-J, This Ain't a Game (Atlantic); Case, Open Letter (Def Soul); KRS-One, The Sneak Attack (Koch); Queen Pen, Conversations with Queen (Motown); Karo, Kamnesia (Jcor); Lil' Romeo debut (Priority); Gangster Boo, Both Worlds *69 (Loud); Rugged, Changes (Deep End); Krayzie Bone, Thug On Da Line (Loud); Snoop Dogg Presents Tha Eastsidaz, Duces `N' Trays ... The Old Fashion Way (Doggy Style/TVT); Nelly & the St. Lunatics (Eagle Music); Nivea debut (Jive); Pastor Troy: Face Off (Universal); SuperVision Presents 20/20 (Capital); The Product Ghetto & Blues (J Records); Toya debut (Arista); Sisqo, Return of Dragon (Def Soul); Jagged Edge, Jagged Little Thrill (Columbia); Dr. Dolittle 2 soundtrack (J Records); Sticky Fingaz, Black Trash: The Autobiography of Kirk Jones (Universal); Eartha, This I Know (AFRT); Mind Frame, Eclectic Soul (Basta-FM); Rev. Clay Evans & the AARC Mass Choir, Constantly (Meek); Marvin Winans & the Perfected Praise Choir, Friends (Against the Flow); and Jubilant Wait For Me (Sony).