Ghosts Of Us
Bace, 2023
8/10
The Chicago trumpeter Emily Kuhn returns with her sophomore album, where Erik Skov, Meghan Stagl, Kitt Lyles and Gustavo Cortiñas are in attendance for the 6 diverse jazz tunes.
The title track leads with Cortiñas’ playful drumming and Stagl’s light keys alongside Kuhn’s soulful brass in the cozy climate, and “Respire” follows with a very reflective tone of dreamy guitar from Skov that suits the pretty trumpet playing that’s heartfelt.
“In Lieu Of Certainty, Movement” lands in the middle and radiates a warm atmosphere of soft, dynamic instrumentation, while “When It Rains” is a bit quicker, dance floor ready even, and showcases the bouncy rhythm section that benefits much from Lyles’ precise bass.
Near the end, the intimate “When The World Is Young” meshes the intricate guitar with emotive brass in a very stirring landscape, and “Home” exits with a gentle melody amid the brushed drums, mature keys and, of course, Kuhn’s glowing horn.
A listen penned during Covid and that carries themes related to the turmoil surrounding it, Kuhn and company make for a cinematic, emotive and harmonic body of work that can bop with friskiness, just as it can land in balladry.
Travels well with: Blue Reality Quartet!- Blue Reality Quartet!; Christopher Parker- Soul Food