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Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet/In a World of Mallets (Basin Street Records BSR03032)

11:25am Thursday 16th May 2013

Drummer Jason Marsalis here displays his talents on vibes. On a programme of largely original compositions, mostly accompanied by piano, bass and drums, he produces a pleasing and swinging album. On four tracks he’s featured on marimba, xylophone, glockenspiel and tubular bells too.

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Ketil Bjornstad/La notte (ECM 372 4553)

11:24am Thursday 16th May 2013

For a concert of new compositions inspired by film-maker Michelangelo Antonioni, pianist Ketil Bjornstad assembled a stirring group of musicians with Andy Sheppard saxophones, Eivind Aarset guitars, Anja Lechner cello, Arild Andersen double bass and Marilyn Mazur drums. His imaginary soundtrack prompts the most inspired playing from all involved. ecmrecords.com

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Lucian Ban & Mat Maneri/Transylvanian Concert (ECM 372 8258)

11:23am Thursday 16th May 2013

This New York-based duo first appeared together in Ban’s Enesco Reimagined and has since developed a special and productive relationship. Maneri’s deepsounding viola is very nicely set off by Ban’s crystal clear but swinging piano.

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Rich Halley 4/Crossing the Passes (Pine Eagle 005)

4:59pm Friday 10th May 2013

Another largely vigorous and stirring CD from Oregon-based tenor player Rich Halley, trombonist Michael Vlatkovich, bass player Clyde Reed and drummer Carson Halley. There’s a passion and immediacy about these group compositions and improvisations, and an invigorating interplay, which I find appealing.

Deborah Latz/Fig Tree (June Moon Productions JMP 30304)

4:58pm Friday 10th May 2013

I haven’t heard this singer before, but I was impressed by this, her third album.

Joshua Redman/Walking Shadows (Nonesuch 532288)

4:57pm Friday 10th May 2013

A beautiful, sometimes lush, album with the saxophonist supported by an allstar line-up of Brad Mehldau, Larry Grenadier and Brian Blade, and on some tracks a large string orchestra, conducted by Dan Coleman. Delightful versions of Lush Life, Stardust and Let It Be and a couple of originals complete a very enjoyable CD.

Folk radio

4:56pm Friday 10th May 2013

THERE seems to be a swarm of folk radio currently hitting the local airwaves, mostly on small community radio stations, but also available via the internet.

Natalie Maines: Mother (Sony/Columbia Music)

4:55pm Friday 10th May 2013

THIS is the first solo album from Natalie Maines, former lead singer of the award-winning Dixie Chicks, who was determined to create something different from her previous band.

Richard Strauss: Don Quixote & Till Eulenspiegel (Hyperion CDA67960)

4:54pm Friday 10th May 2013

Strauss’s Fantastic variations on a theme of knightly character, as Don Quixote is subtitled, is one of the composer’s most popular tone poems. The central character of the Don is wonderfully performed by cellist Alban Gerhardt, while Sancho Panza is brilliantly conveyed by violist Lawrence Power.

Palestrina: The Brabant Ensemble (Hyperion CDA67978)

4:53pm Friday 10th May 2013

The Brabant Ensemble, conducted by Stephen Rice, perform Missa Ad coenam from Palestrina’s first book of Mass-settings, as well as antiphons, motets and five Eastertide Offertories. This glorious music is sensitively sung. A must for early music devotees.

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