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ing as an ideal counterpoint to Ms. Harris’ amorous alto sax. The beats get funkier and the melody gets bigger on “Passing Time” and “Take Me There.” Other hits include “Muy Caliente,” “Chillin’” and “Here & Now.”
City Of Broken Dreams ••• Giovanni Guidi Trio, ECM
City of Broken Dreams is the debut album from the prodigiously gifted Italian pianist Giovanni Guidi. Joined by Thomas Morgan (bass) and João Lobo (drums), the album is breathtakingly orchestrated with free-flowing melodies on pieces like “The Way Some People Live,” “The Impossible Divorce,” “Late Blue,” and both versions of the title tracks “The City Of Broken Dreams.”
La Note ••• Ketil Bjornstad, ECM
This live album is from the Molde International Festival of July, 2010 in Norway. The eight-part set begins as a journey from “Part 1,” “Part 2,” “Part 4,” “Part 6, “ and ends with “Part 7.” Performers included Andy Sheppard (saxs), Anja Lechner (violoncello), Eivind Aarset (guitars), Arild Andersen (double bass), and Marilyn Mazur (percussion, drums).
Full Circle ••• Lawson Rollins
On this album Lawson Rollins plays classical, flamenco and electric guitars, keyboards and drum programming, featuring a multicultural mélange constructed of Afro-Cuban rumba, bossa nova, samba, Middle Eastern, Japanese folk, tango, reggae, rock, classical and jazz. To accomplished this, Mr. Rollins uses the same musicians that played on all three of his previous releases: Camardella (keyboards, piano), Grammy-winning violinist Charlie Bisharat, bassist Randy Tico, percussionist Dave Bryant and saxophonist/flutist Richard Hardy.
Pulse ••• Steve Cole, Artistry Music
This is the classically-trained Steve Cole’s seventh solo album recorded within a lavish orchestral setting in a spacious, decorative room filled with the sounds of blues, funk, soul, gospel, R&B, and hip hop jams. Highlights include “Pulse,” “With You All The Way,” and “Ain’t No Love in The Heart Of The City.”
Renaissance •••• Marcus Miller, Concord Records 104 H HillRag.com
This is a good, solid album from guitarist Marcus Miller. On the back of the album, Mr. Miller is seen sitting down, humbly with his guitar, head lowered in a gentle prayerful position. Applause is so abundant here that one can hardly contained oneself to the shouts of “bravos” and “encores” with the final curtain call on “I’ll Be There.” That Mr. Marcus has given us a collector’s item with such memorable pieces like “Redemption,” “February,” “Setembro,” a Brazilian Wedding song, and “Gorée,” is no small feat to the legacy of jazz and its continued influences on our daily lives.
The Beat ••• Boney James,
Smooth jazz performer Boney James is back with a new album that is all about urban living. From “Missing You” to “Batucada (The Beat),” to the sexy “Maker Of Love,” you can feel the pulse and romantic passion of the urban hiphop dweller. Other standouts include “Mari’s Song,” “Powerhouse,” “Acalento,” and “You Can Count On Me.” The Beat is certainly one of this year’s best smooth jazz albums.
Christmas Releases
All I Ask For Christmas ••• Peggy Duquesnel
Jazz pianist-vocalist Peggy Duquesnel (www. peggyduquesnel.com ) has just released “All I Ask For Christmas,” a double CD comprised of 21 seasonal songs presented as acoustic jazz instrumentals and pop vocal selections.
Merry Christmas To You ••• Jonathan Butler, Artistry Music
Two-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Jonathan Butler is in full holiday spirit with the release of his first Christmas album, “Merry Christmas To You,” an intimate 10song set that showcases the singer with his acoustic guitar. The sparse production maintains focus on the spiritually-impassioned Mr. Butler belting out seven Christmas standards, one little known gem (“Sweet Little Jesus Boy”) and a pair of soulful originals authored by the artist, including the title cut and “Happy Holidays.” All CDs and DVDS reviewed in this article are heard through Bowers & Wilkens Nautilus 801 speakers and ASW 4000 subwoofer, and Rotel Preamp 1070, amplifier 1092 and CD player 1072. B&W speakers are now available at Magnolia, Best Buys (703.518.7951) and IQ Home Entertainment (703.218.9855). CDs are available for purchase through amazon.com For more information about this column, please email your questions to fagon@hillrag.com. H