Chicago Sessions Record Label (2008 - 2014)
Chicago Artists | Original Compositions | Exclusive New Recordings
Shawn Maxwell's Alliance Bridge
Downbeat Magazine – Editor's Pick; December 2014
“He’s an artist with unique ideas and his own sound palette...
This is bold music.” – Frank Alkyer, Downbeat Magazine
“... full of rich musical ideas, colorful passages,
and unique musical constructs.” – Dan Bilawsky, AllAboutJazz.com
Shawn Maxwell's Alliance
Downbeat Magazine – Editor's Pick; February 2014
“Bravo.” – Bobby Reed, Downbeat Magazine
“Nobody writes like this.” – Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune
“a singular work of true musical fusion” – Hrayr Attarian, AllAboutJazz.com
“4 Stars” – Grady Harp, Amazon.com Hall of Fame Reviewer
lePercolateur Pop Manouche
“eleven original compositions so good I swear I’ve heard
some of them, and sung along, before
those universal themes that make a tune a standard are all there
This disc is highly recommended.” – Doug Boynton, GirlSingers.co.uk
Makaya McCraven Split Decision
“genuinely unique approach to the piano trio format
a marvelous example
of his creativity and musicianship, as well as his very tasteful writing
Don't usually give "stars" around here, but if I did
it would be
Five Stars all the way” – Ron Pelletier, Jazz From Gallery 41
Aaron Koppel Quartet Multiverse
One of Downbeat Magazine's "Best CDs of 2012"
4 Stars! (“Excellent”) – Downbeat Magazine
“The band
knows how and where to take chances.
Through time shifts, mood changes and wide–branching tunes,
the musicians stick closely together
” – Jon Ross, Downbeat Magazine
Shawn Maxwell Urban Vigilante
“music played by a tight–knit group that knows each other's moves,
with studio sessions that play like a club set
” – John Ephland, Downbeat
“People liking their jazz acoustic, straight–ahead and in the pocket”
will have lots to love here.” – Paul Abella, Chicago Jazz Magazine
Larry Gray Trio Three Equals One
3 ½ Stars! (3=Good, 4=Excellent) – Downbeat Magazine
“the surprises come in subtle, consistent ways
a simple yet elegant trio
these guys play up
to the album title's meaning.” – John Ephland, Downbeat Magazine
Matt Nelson Trio Nostalgiamaniac
One of Downbeat Magazine's "Best CDs of 2011"
4 Stars! (“Excellent”) – Eric Fine, Downbeat Magazine
“the best piano–trio album to come out of Chicago in 2010” – Neil Tesser
“impressive debut
a tasty player with a penchant
for uncommon lyricism
” – Bill Milkowski, Jazz Times Magazine
Chicago Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble Blueprints
3 ½ Stars! (3=Good, 4=Excellent) – Downbeat Magazine
“a Latin jazz masterpiece
the sharpest new sound in Latin jazz” – Neil Tesser
“a wonderfully diverse repertoire of new and highly creative music
”
– Rebeca Mauleón, Jazz Times Magazine
Shawn Maxwell Quartet Maxwell's House
“a hard–swinging, deep in the pocket release
Maxwell’s tone and sense of
time are captivating
Strong compositions, a deep sense of time feel and an
emphasis on melody all come together to produce an album that would be
expected from musicians twice their age.” – M Warnock, AllAboutJazz.com
Pat Mallinger Dragon Fish
#7 in JazzChicago.net's Top Chicago Recordings of 2009
“‘Dragon Fish’ not only features the masterful playing of two virtuosos
in a relaxed studio setting, but showcases Mallinger’s exceptional
compositional skills as well
” – Brad Walseth, JazzChicago.net
Paul Wertico's Mid–East/Mid–West Alliance Impressions Of A City
One of Downbeat Magazine's "Best CDs of 2010"
4 ½ Stars! (4=“Excellent”, 5=“Masterpiece” ) – John Ephland, Downbeat
“This is musical narrative at its finest. A fanfare for the common
(and mechanistically exploited) 21st century man and woman.”
– Matt Marshall, JazzInside NY
Howard Levy Tonight And Tomorrow
One of Downbeat Magazine's "Best CDs of 2010"
4 Stars! (“Excellent”) "a stellar trio" – Michael Jackson, Downbeat Magazine
“a marvelous piano–trio album featuring Levy's harmonica
The trio interplay is first–rate throughout, as are the arrangements.”
– George Kanzler, Jazz Times Magazine
Darwin Noguera's Evolution Quintet The Gardener
“an expressive and experimental take on the Latin jazz vernacular
The music here represents a new branch on the tree of jazz
a very strong outing for Noguera
and his entire ensemble” – Matthew Warnock, AllAboutJazz.com
Zvonimir Tot Eloquent Silence
“Tot keeps one–upping himself with every disc he puts out,
and ‘Eloquent Silence’ is a fantastic example
of just how brilliant a guitarist, writer and arranger he is.”
– Paul Abella, Chicago Jazz Magazine
Aaron Koppel Quartet Falling Together Falling Apart
#7 in Neil Tesser’s Top Ten Chicago Jazz Discs of 2009
#12 in JazzChicago.net’s Top Chicago Recordings of 2009
3 ½ Stars! (3=Good, 4=Excellent) – Downbeat Magazine
“a lovely, lively collection marked by intelligent writing, emotional depth,
and sterling musicianship.” – Neil Tesser
Tony do Rosario's New Chicago Jazz Quartet New Beginnings
“With an expansive tone that brings to mind
the bleeding of a drop of watercolor into paper,
do Rosario runs off quick, single–noted lines that have
equal parts warmth and punch
” – Matthew Warnock, AllAboutJazz.com
Paulinho Garcia My Very Life
“Singer–guitarist Garcia always caresses the ear,
but this disc offers an impressive collection
of original compositions steeped in Brazilian musical culture.
Each is a revelation.” – Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune
Steven Hashimoto's Mothra Tradewind
#15 in JazzChicago.net’s Top Chicago Recordings of 2009
“Covering a lot of stylistic territory isn’t much of a trick,
but doing so and still projecting a unified ensemble voice is,
and Mothra carries it off with aplomb.” – David Dupont, Cadence Magazine
Marshall Vente Trio Marshall Arts
“Clearly one of the elite trio albums around, 'Marshall Arts' blends
a sophisticated version of straight jazz with tender bossa rhythms
in one nice musical package
a must for the discerning jazz audience.” – Edward Blanco, EJazz News
Larry Gray 1, 2, 3
“sophisticated arrangements, gorgeous acoustic
and electric string textures
and sensitive trap–set work
The tunes are sturdy and the playing inspired
hefty set of well–conceived music
” – Philip Booth, Downbeat Magazine