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"This year's No.1" Record and Show Each CD will be presented for our readers. E-mail your name, address and CD title to apply CD present to the following address: mailto:merumaga@hifido.co.jp Closing time for application: 21:00(JST) on December 15 (Thursday) Those who were chosen among applications will receive CD without prior announcement.
CD recommended by Mr. Kondo David Hazeltine Trio "Cleopatra's Dream" David Hazeltine (p) George Mraz (b) Billy Drummond (ds) Recorded at NY in June, 2005 Venus Records TKCV-35355 Released on October 26, 2005 This new album is more than a great work beyond all my expectations. David Hazeltine is one of my favorite jazz pianists. He is kind of like the contemporary piano player as he already showed us his very unique performance in "Waltz for Debby", "Pearls", "Alice in Wonderland", etc. as well as in 3 tunes he played as a member of One For All. This is an excellent album that he has restored to fully prove all the "Magic" and "Charm" that every art work of the piano master, Bud Powell possesses.
	I became fascinated as soon as I listened to the first number "Cleopatra's Dream". This is a masterpiece to groove the full delight of jazz that the piano trio generates with their dynamic touch full of energy, melancholic phrasing, and beautiful melody. His piano style is attractive with its rich driving force, and yet, graceful and clear play. The swing feeling of Bud Powell seems to be David Hazeltine's favorite, since his choice of numbers in this album are mostly from this jazz piano master. The feeling that he can't help but be amused can be perceived clearly from his performance. George Mraz as a bassist and Billy Drummond as a drummer did a really great job to bring cool and magnificent sounds with their dynamic and sharp performance. The sounds of bouncing piano and grooving base inspire the presence of music by modern trio. The crashing sound of cymbals, which always attracts us as audio-lovers, swings very comfortably and gets us outstandingly hooked. This very vivid and yet funky performance is one of the greatest works which can be hardly found recently. The overall sound quality is exceptionally fine in freshness and stability since the beautiful and powerful piano tone is introduced in the listening space and shows a well-trimmed sound with the support of base and drums. You can not talk about audio without listening to this sound.
CD recommended by Ms. Cappccino Lewis Nash "Stompin' at the Savoy" Dedication to James Williams and Illinois Jacguet Lewis Nash (ds) Steve Nelson (vib.) Peter Washington (b) Recorded at NY in August, 2004 Following the well accepted last album "It Don't Mean a Thing", the long-waited second album "Stompin' at the Savoy" has been released. All songs are performed with pianoless sound in this album. Just like the previous album, the vibraphone is played by Steve Nelson, and the bass by Peter Washington, a powerful bassist who came to play at the second concert for Mister Kelly's 15th Anniversary Special.
	The title number "Stompin' at the Savoy" is a lilting song to be started with a strange melody. Lewis's drums and Peter's bass demonstrate a very comfortable swing. The earthy sound produced by the hand beating of the snare drum made "Delilah" my favorite. This song is played as though some sexually attractive woman would come out. The interesting part is when making a variety of drum tones just keeping the rhythm. "Get Happy" is just happy as the song title. The flowing stick work that Lewis pushes ahead with kick and solo is just great. "I Thought About You" is a mellow tune. The clear sound that Steve makes on his vibraphone is excellent. "Invitation" is a song released by a composer from Poland in '52 as a title tune for the same movie. The melody line is very attractive. "Tickle Toe" is said to be the original song Lester Young wrote for the Count Base Orchestra. I was fascinated with Lewis's mallet work in his solo part. "Jitterbug Waltz" shows an elegant performance with 3 players in total synch. You can enjoy a bouncy bass solos in "These Foolish Things". "Robin's Nest" is just as if players were in a conversation. Last number is "Flanagan's Shenanigans", a very delightful crispy tune Lewis plays a part in the album recording of Tommy Flanagan. You should check this out also.
On November 19, 2005, I went to the long-waited concert of the jazz drummer, Lewis Nash at Mister Kelly's in Nishi-Umeda. See my live report at http://www.hifido.co.jp/merumaga/cappuccino/051209/index.html After the live concert, I bought his CD because the purchasers were to be privileged of his autograph. When I approached Lewis Nash for the autograph, he was taking a rest at the bar counter. I told him "I enjoyed your nice performance very much. You're a real great drummer". He said "Arigatou" and shook hands with me. When I said, "You speak a very good Japanese", he became self-conscious. I was more than pleased as he willingly accepted a memorial shot with him. He asked "Okay?" when I was checking the picture, and made me relaxed saying, "Don't worry" when I talked about my tense face. Lewis is really an elegant and attentive gentleman. Please come again. I asked Mr. Kibata, the pianist who played together, about his impression of Lewis. He made a comment politely. "Lewis Nash is a really nice drummer, very easy to play with. He is a kind of versatile drummer," he says. Although it's confidential, Mr. Kibata felt nervous while playing together with Lewis. There will be a live performance of Kibata at Mister Kelly's on Saturday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 27. Please come and enjoy the show. The CD autographed by Lewis Nash will be presented for our readers. Those who missed the chance of listening to the live performance, please apply for the gift at all rates. Awaiting for your applications.

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