Who is Herlin Riley?

Okay, maybe it's early alts but I can't remember exactly when or why I downloaded Herlin Liley's Cream of the Crescent.  I have been playing a cut from the album since Oct. 20, and I dumped it onto a CD that I have been playing in my car. When it came up I had no idea what I was listening to, but I knew I wanted more.  At this rate I will so be able to hide my own Easter eggs.  

Anyway, Riley's album is very fine "neo-bop" drummer and leader, to judge from this very fine neo-bop album.  The album has the sparkling feel of a splendid jazz room, one where you can here every crisp note of the piano and the sound of the bass player's fingers on the strings.  You get carried into the room and out again into that jazz thing.  

Here is the note from CDUniverse:

Cream of the Crescent album by Herlin Riley was released Oct 04, 2005 on the criss cross label. On his second Criss Cross date, Herlin Riley, drummer with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra since 1992, assembles an all-star lineup from different eras of the band. The front line comprises Criss Cross veteran Wycliffe Gordon on trombone, Victor Goines Personnel: Herlin Riley (drums); Victor Goines (clarinet, saxophone); Wynton Marsalis (trumpet); Wycliffe Gordon (trombone); Eric Lewis (piano); Reginald Veal (bass instrument). Cream of the Crescent CD music contains a single disc with 9 songs.

I have been playing 'Need Ja Help'.  I am keeping that on going and adding the first cut: 'Bird Life', which features Lewis on piano.  I am also adding 'Trouble in Treme', which is a showcase for the horns and piano.  Enjoy.  Tell Wycliffe Gordon that he needs to send me a note.  I love him on his CD. 

Wynton Marsalis channels Louis Armstrong channeling Thelonious Monk

Can Ouija Boards be networked?  Wynton Marsalis thinks so.  I have been listening to the fourth volume of his Standard Time Series: Marsalis Plays Monk.  The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (may it be praised!) informs me that Marsalis intended to "recast Monk's music in the form of the ensemble jazz of Louis Armstrong's jazz orchestra of 1927 and 1928."  Okay.  What? 

I'm not sure what all that means, but this album is one more tent revival meeting for the cult of Monk.  As a true believer, I can only say amen.  Has any jazz composer been so frequently covered or so deeply worshiped as Thelonious Monk?  Monk's compositions haunt modern jazz.  You might enjoy a good evening by listening to this album along with Anthony Braxton's Monk album and Monk's own Brilliant Corners.  Hey, I think I'll do that.  Marsalis Plays Monk is a brilliant work, and brilliantly recorded.  You can hear the buzz of the bass.

Here is an excerpt from one of the numbers.  It is features the piano player Eric Reed.  This guy straightens out Monk, in accord with the general theme, but that only highlights the genius of the composition.  I love this piece of music. 

Wynton Marsalis/Brilliant Corners/Marsalis Plays Monk/excerpt

Also don't miss the last piece on the album: 'Green Chimneys'.  I didn't recognize that Monk number.  I won't forget it.