The new disc,
Duality, from saxophonist
Tom Tallitsch is a creative breath of fresh air. The album features Tom on tenor along with my brother, Dave Manley, on guitar. The duo courses through well thought-out originals.
Big Sky showcases Tallitsch's talents as a compser. The duo also interpret some jazz standards such as Steve Swallow's
Falling Grace. Tallitsch's interpretation of Wayne Shorter's
Infant Eyes is particularly gorgeous. Tallitsch and Manley re-tune a Stevie Wonder pop tune,
Visions. The album has a very intimate, earthy feel to it which perfectly matches Tallitsch's lush tone with Manley's airy picking. If you're looking for a jazz album for a present to buy someone but don't know what to get, this would make a great gift. It's sure to please the listener and provide hours of revisited pleasure.
Duality by Tom Tallitsch.
Check out the artist's site to listen to samples or to order a copy. Great job, Tom. This is a marvelous album.
Mad props to 
I have to admit, I don't know a ton about Wojciech Kilar (hell, I don't even know how to say his name), the Polish pianist and composer, who wrote the score to Bram Stoker's Dracula. There's some really good music out there that's made for movies. I like the dark, somber tones he made for that soundtrack. In some regards, like many other movies, the score outshines the film itself. Check it out. 
This is one album I can't believe I've never owned. I had borrowed it or had a few tracks on some mix CD's that someone had given me. Head Hunters was long over due for an honored spot in my collection. Chameleon and Watermelon Man were two of the first jazz tunes I ever learned to play. I can remember back when I was in my high school marching band and we thought we were the coolest because we'd play Chameleon at the games. No one knew what it was but it sounded funky. Funny memories.
I know it may seem strange or even low brow that I'd go for something as slick as this but it's good slick. I'm talking about