Pianist, vocalist and highly accomplished artist Michele Rosewoman is a versatile talent who uses her multi-virtuostic skills not only in the jazz idiom, but also to blend and synthesize such diverse forms as Afro-Cuban, particularly Afro-Cuban folklore music, including chants...Rhythm and Blues, gospel and blues. Michele skillfully spins and weaves these forms of music into wonderfully cohesive and creative gems of sound.

The Oakland, California native studied with the venerable musician, pianist and organist Ed Kelly, who introduced her to the music of John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Timmons. It is quite evident on her release, Spirit that Michele not only took her studies seriously, but that she also stretched out and explored...and became immersed in not only the music, but also the cultures that created the music.

This release which was recorded live at the International Festival de Jazz de Montreal in 1994, Michele (piano, vocals) is joined and is nicely complemented by the talents of Kenny Davis (double bass) and Gene Jackson (drums). Although this date was recorded in a large venue, at a jazz festival, it has the feeling of a small, comfortable, intimate club setting. On Spirit Michele pays homage to the creative beings, the spirits of the artists and their spirit of creating time-enduring masterpieces...specifically "Passion Dance" which was composed for her mentor Ed Kelly...and "For Monk," which was written for that creative genius Thelonious Sphere Monk.

Michele's vocal rendering of "For Agayu" recreates the feel of the Afro-Cuban chants... and "Spirit" written by Maurice White and originally performed by his group Earth, Wind and Fire, not only showcase her singing skills, but also her talent as an arranger and composer. On the standard favorite, "When Sunny Gets Blue," Michele dresses it up and gives its a refreshing, spirited, rhythmic, melodic take.

Spirit, Michele Rosewoman's sixth release, quite marvelously displays this artist's creative spirit...and her extensive and impressive repertoire reveals her breadth and depth as a talent of the finest caliber.

©L'cinda Scott-McCall

Blue Note, 1994

In The Spotlight...

Oscar Brown, Jr.
"Sin And Soul...And Then Some"

Oscar Brown Jr is an artist-of -all-trades...and a master of all of them. Oscar is a multi-talented artist; a poet; stage actor (plays include "Raisin," "Big Time Buck White, "Evolution Of The Blues" and "Joy 66"); playwright (including "Oscar Brown Entertains" a one man show, "Joy 66," "Summer In The City" and "Opportunity Please Knock"); TV program host (including "Jazz Scene USA"); and is a highly original and prolific song writer and singer who has written hundreds of songs. Oscar is also an educator, activist, African American historian...and is indeed an artist for all seasons.

Brown's work reflects, relates the black experience through song--including blues and jazz--folklore and humor. The re-release of Sin And Soul...And Then Some, which was originally recorded 20 years ago, includes classics compositions in which Brown ingeniously and magnificently spins and weaves magical sound creations...a multi-artistic soundscape. The piece "Work Song," written by Nat Adderly, recounts the tale of a poor, black man sentenced to working on a chain gang for committing the crime of stealing to feed his children. On the humorous composition "But I Was Cool," which has been a highly favored piece over the years, Brown sings of a sort of "bad luck Joe" who, in spite of his never ending bad luck maintains his cool. "Bid 'Em In" vividly recreates in song the sights and sound of a slave auction.

"Signifying Monkey" is a hip tale of a bragging, lying monkey who perched safely in a tree, takes on the king of the jungle (who says to the monkey, you're "Always lying and and a signifying but you better not monkey with me"). "Dat Dere" talks of a wonderfully inquisitive young lad who is constantly asking his father tons of questions about everything under the sun ("Hey daddy what's that there?...And daddy where do we get air?...Hey daddy can I have that big elephant over there?"). "Mr. Kicks" is an upbeat tale about a devil of a trickster ("Full of wicked tricks") who is looking for souls to entice into sinful escapades.

"Brown Baby" is a poignant, sensitive song in which a father sings to his offspring and relates the futures hopes and desires he has for his child. "Afro Blue" written by Mongo Santamaria, is beautifully performed, passionate, percussion accented piece. Oscar's hip, rhythmic version of "Straighten Up And Fly Right," "Afro Blue," "Mr. Kicks," "Hazel Hips," and "World Of Grey" are additions to the original release of Sin And Soul.

Oscar Brown, a living legend of music, of the arts, of activism...is back on the scene and in his inimical way is serving up some excellent creations that inform forthrightly...and entertain marvelously--soulfully, coolly, hiply.

©L'cinda Scott-McCall

Columbia, 1996

In The Spotlight...

Marlena Shaw
Dangerous

"You know as soon as the first words of Marlena Shaw's opening cut reach your ears that you are in the company of a masterful interpreter of song. And as the album continues you are captivated--is there any other word for it? by her charms, by her musical intelligence, and by her multiple personae. For soon you know that this singer has somehow learned to apply her natural talents and her great technical skills to genres that run the gamut...."

W. Royal Stokes, Editor, Jazz Notes

The name Marlena Shaw is synonymous with excellence. She is a uniquely rare creative artist who possesses an incomparable, impeccable style, great technical facility, marvelous phraseology...a wonderful dramatic and comedic flair...a delightful warmth...and the utmost of class.

Marlena is the swinging hip priestess of song. She has a smooth, one-of-a-kind style that is distinctively her own. She doesn't just sing a song she swings it...but in so doing maintains the melodic spirit of the composition. And, on her new release, Dangerous, Marlena stamps each tune indelibly hers.

On this date Marlena is accompanied by such talented masterful musicians as David Hazeltine (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Clifford Barbaro (drums)...special guests Milton Cardona (percussion), the hot young saxman Chris Potter (tenor sax), the Bay Area's legendary Ed Kelly (organ)....and the all so magnificent Mr. Kevin Mahogany (vocals).

On the opening selection, "Clear Out Of This World," she sings it, swings it in a brand new way...Marlena's way, which is rhythmically...sassily...sophisticatedly. "Black Berry Winter," a deliciously sweet tune...is a wonderful, philosophical look at love, at memories of love...a lost love...and of lessons learned. Marlena sings the piece beautifully and delicately.

The Latin tinged swinger, "Close Enough For Love," creates mind visions of two lovers sitting in Le Jazz Bistro at a candlelit table for two. "Dangerous? Yes she definitely is...and on the title track, which she created, Marlena momentarily puts on her persona of the hip, bad, ultra cool singer and bad talking lady who can take care of plenty of business. And, she makes it very clear that it doesn't mean a thing if it doesn't have that swing.

Did I say you can't sit still when Marlena is singing? Well on "The Nearness Of You" she proves it as she takes this fine standard...and makes it strut by giving it a melodic, finger snapping new twist that'll have you up dancing and singing along...Have mercy this lady is bad. "Dim The Lights" is another special, melancholy piece--one that is perfect for sitting by a fireplace listening to--that Marlena delivers superbly in an amus-ical way. On "You Make Me Feel Brand New," Marlena is joined by soulful, silky-voiced Kevin Mahogany...and what they do with this classic ballad is pure, sweet and magical. Their voices richly, perfectly and beautifully complement each other. Swing on Marlena and Kevin...you are too classy for words.

"You Are My Everything" is sung perfectly, flawlessly...incredibly. And, Miss Marlena Shaw does some really tasty scatting...she has everything in her bag of talents...and kindly shares them with us. Merci beaucoup. Her version of the popular favorite, "End Of A Beautiful Affair" is very warm, soulful, jazzy...and so groovy.

Marlena rounds out Dangerous with "Keep On Trustin," which she composed and did some fine piano work on. She performs this moving, uplifting, hand clapping, foot patting gospel creation with conviction and sincerity. This spiritual...and this whole fine album is a powerful testimony to the sheer abundant talent of this very gifted creative artist. Bless you...Marlena.

©L'cinda Scott-McCall

Concord Jazz, 1996