TITLES
Junkanoo
Junkanoo Radio Edits
MUSICIANS
Barbara DennerleinSITUATION
Studio recordingREVIEWS
There's a magic moment on organist Barbara Dennerlein's second Verve album, JUNKANOO: it comes on the out-chorus of "Easy Going," a straightahead swinger. Tenorman David Murray and Dennerlein are trading licks over a repeated bass line, when out of nowhere, both hit a high sustained C. Spontaneous? Rehearsed? I don't know. But it gave me goosebumps and made me realize what I found so attractive about this new release. I can't help but feel the joy of the musicians who participated. I can taste it, see the grins...
JUNKANOO is intended as a showcase for Dennerlein's composing talents, and every piece on here has its merits. They range from bouncing fusion through 1970's-style organ funk-jazz to samba; most simple harmonically but with unpredictable melodies, they give this all-star array of soloists some flexing room.
The Davids -- Murray and Sanchez -- alternate on tenor, with an eclectic mix of horns complimenting them, including Howard Johnson (tuba) and Frank Lacy (trombone). Omnipresent trumpeter Randy Brecker contributes some good work, notable a brief but exciting foray into the funky "Walk on Air."
But Dennerlein herself is the real gem. She's one of the few organists on the scene who's manage to break free of the Jimmy Smith mould, giving us something fresh on the hammond for a change. Her work on JUNKANOO shows a range few of her organ colleagues can muster: subtle, lyrical, funky, it all seems within reach. She's not breaking ground -- I don't think she pretends to -- but any red-blooded fan of organ jazz should be thrilled she's out there and putting out quality music.
(Jeff Morris, 52ndstreet.com)
ALBUMS
CD Verve 314 537 122-2
1997, released in USA jewelcase with blue sticker |
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CD Verve 537 122-2
1997, released in Germany jewelcase with brown sticker |
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CD Verve 537 122-2
1997, released in Germany cover with printed 'sticker' |
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CD Verve 537 122-2
1997, released in Germany promo, cardboard sleeve |
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MCD Verve 537 880-2
1997, released in Germany 'Radio Edits', promo, cardboard sleeve |
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CD Verve 0005 898
released in Germany jewelcase with sticker, CD silver with label "Swiss Life Edition" |
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CD
Bootleg, Russia, 1997 no label / order number "Limited Edition" instead of Verve logo |