Amber Weekes

A Lady With A Song

Amber Inn, 2024

9/10

Listen to A Lady With A Song

The always impressive vocalist Amber Weekes tips her hat to one of her idols, Nancy Wilson, with these 13 well thought tracks that welcome a large cast of players.

“Gentlemen Friend” starts the listen with Russell Malone’s frisky guitar that suits Weekes’ upbeat and flowing vocals amid much melody, and “Save Your Love For Me” follows with Gerald Albright and Paul Jackson Jr.’s soulful saxes that complement the heartfelt singing.

Moving towards the middle, “Ten Good Years” welcomes Oscar Seaton’s warm drums and Carol Chaikin’s well timed flute for the playful delivery, while “Wave” moves into calmer area via Mark Cargill’s stirring violin and Jeff Littleton’s agile bass.

Residing close to the end, “The Best Is Yet To Come” makes great use of Rickey Woodard’s tenor sax and Ray Monteiro’s animated trumpet, and “Wasn’t It Wonderful” exits with Tony Campodonico’s fluid keys that accent Weekes’ dynamic singing prowess.

Weekes certainly does justice to Wilson’s vision, where these already great songs enjoy a fresh coat of paint that is top notch, expressive jazz.

Travels well with: Amber Weekes- ‘Round Midnight Re-Imagined; Amber Weekes- My Romance- A Special Valentine

Alex Weiser

In A Dark Blue Night

Cantaloupe, 2024

8/10

Listen to In A Dark Blue Night

The inimitable composer Alex Weiser pens a love letter to New York City, where Annie Rosen and Lee Dionne, plus others, are in attendance for the 12 rich, classically inspired tracks.

“Evening” begins the listen with Rosen’s soaring voice alongside Yasmina Spiegelberg’s dreamy clarinet, and “Broadway” follows with a very rich delivery that emits a rich chamber presence amid the poetic singing.

Further along, “Night Reflex’ is a mesmerizing album highlight that recruits much ambience, while “Knish Store” offers a bright moment of flowing winds and subtle but effective strings.

Approaching the end, “Mother” allows for Dionne’s gorgeous keys to radiate tremendous intimacy that suits the powerful pipes and “Ellis Island” exits with a stunning performance from Rosen.

The strings courtesy of Brigid Coleridge (violin), Lun Li (violin), Jordan Bak (viola), Julia Yang (cello) and Sam Suggs (double bass) add much to the effort, where Rosen and Dionne’s commanding abilities guide the storyline of an immigrant experience from 2 viewpoints. One uses 20th century voices via Yiddish poetry, and the other draws from the memories of Weiser’s own grandmother.

Travels well with: Natalie Mann- Rendezvous In The Salon; Serena Hill LaRoche and Catherine Garner- Saloons, Salons, & Salutations

Agustin Muriago

Sur

Albany, 2024

8/10

Listen to Sur

The pianist Agustin Muriago brings us a solo listen, where he tips his hat to Argentine composers with various backgrounds and time periods whose works revolve around folk music.

“Para Empezar a Volar”, by Lillán Saba, opens with the warm keys emitting much beauty and wonder, and it isn’t long until José Resta’s “Tres Danzas” unfolds across 3 segments of dreamy and heartfelt key progressions that leave a stirring impression but can also be firm.

Further along, "Fiesta Criolla”, by Manuel Gómez Carillo, illustrates a highly melodic mood of bright finger acrobatics, while “Recuerdos de mi Tierraz” is both minimal and vivid, where the complicated keys radiate for 4 unpredictable chapters in the Lía Cimaglia original.

Moving towards the end, “Milonga, Op. 2” offers a cinematic moment of poeticism via Leonardo Brunelli’s vision, and Osvaldo Golijov’s “Levante” exits with a dense appeal of fascinating key manipulation.

A collection of songs that showcase stylized versions of milongas, tangos,and vidalas, Muriago bring incredible skill and execution to these worldly selections.

Travels well with: Cecil Price Walden- Hours; Erik Kutz- The Six Cello Suites Of J.S. Bach

Alexa Torres Quartet

In Situ

Self-Released, 2024

9/10

Listen to In Situ

The violinist and composer Alexa Torres brings along Mario Wellmann, Josh Newburry and Jordan Proffer for this debut album that was penned in preparation for a one year journey to interview and collaborate with improvising violinists across Belgium, France, and Poland.

“Yes Or No” starts the listen wtih Torres’ soaring violin alongside Proffer’s agile drumming for the cultured beauty that flows meticulously, and “When The Wind Breaks The Chime” follows with much ambience, as Wellmann’s precise guitar complements the rich delivery.

“Along Came Betty” arrives in the middle and emits much intimacy via the sublime violin, though Newburry’s well timed bass won’t go unnoticed, either, while “Consolidation” benefits much from the cozy guitar for a very stylish and groove filled highlight.

The final track, “We See”, is a Thelonious Monk interpretation that’s playful, festive even, and illustrates a dynamic and charming interplay between the quartet.

A captivating record that sonically references the past and present, Torres and company make great use of traditional ideas, cultured bouts and musical idioms.

Travels well with: Jay Sanders- Evanescent; Nicki Adams/Michael Eaton- The Transcendental

CeCe Gable

Love On The Tyrrhenian

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Love On The Tyrrhenian

The inimitable jazz vocalist CeCe Gable has been developing her craft for a quarter of a century now, and these 10 well thought out tracks welcome a large cast of players for much diversity and timelessness.

The title track opens the listen with Gable’s bright voice alongside Bill Hecht’s warm piano and Dr. Andy Heglund’s frisky drums, and “The Riviera” follows with Joe Dolister’s fluid bass and no lack of brass for the playful jazz climate.

Halfway through, “Say It Ain’t So” welcomes Akio Sasajima’s cozy guitar and strings arranged by John Shipley that emit much grace amid Gable’s intimate pipes, while “Small Day Tomorrow” benefits much from Tony Savage’s agile drums and Angelo Earl’s spirited guitar that helps cultivate a stylish demeanor.

The last 2 tracks, “I’ll See You In C-U-B-A” and “Once Again It’s Winter”, don’t disappoint either. The former is an animated and lively album highlight that illuminates Gable’s charming voice alongside rhythm, and the latter exits with Harvie S’ gentle bass and Heglund’s cozy percussion that suit the soothing singing.

A top notch display of memorable jazz vocal song craft where both busy moments and balladry are executed flawlessly, Gable and company make every track worth revisiting.

Travels well with: Heather Anne Lomax- The Doman Tracks; Rachael Sage- Another Side

Christopher Zuar Orchestra

Exuberance

Tonal Conversations, 2024

9/10

Listen to Exuberance

The inestimable composer and bandleader Christopher Zuar leads a 22 piece jazz orchestra through these 7 involved and meticulous selections.

“In Winter Blooms” opens the listen with a distinct mood, where Drew Gress’ lively bass and Jason Rigby’s animated tenor sax make an impression, and “Moments In Between” follows with Matt Holmon’s intimate flugelhorn adding much sensitivity to the thoughtful climate.

“Simple Machines” and “Before Dawn” arrive in the middle. The former showcases Ben Kono’s tenor sax, Joe Brent’s mandolin and Sara Caswell’s violin for the chamber influenced album highlight, while the latter recruits Mark Ferber’s drums, Pete McCann’s guitar and Charles Pillow’s alto sax via the cinematic and exploratory delivery.

The title track exits, and makes great use of Emma Frank’s bright vocals amid Dave Pietro’s elegant alto sax and Scott Wendholt’s well timed trumpet.

A rich and complicated effort that is universally enjoyable, Zuar pens a romantic and colorful body of work that resonates long after the music stops.

Travels well with: Jon Gordon- 7th Ave South; Omar Thomas Large Ensemble- Griot Songs

Alan Walker

A Little Too Late

Mimi’s, 2024

8/10

Listen to A Little Too Late

The frontman for NYC’s The Brilliant Melodies, this 2nd solo album for Alan Walker sees the vocalist and key wizard penning 9 songs with no lack of hooks or pop appeal.

“The Morning After” starts the listen with Walker’s bright vocals and John Morgan Kimock’s bouncy drums that are met with Rob Schwimmer’s well timed synth, and “Mama Kat” follows with a calmer mood, where Larry Campbell’s gentle pedal steel complements the dreamy climate.

“Town Called Misery” lands in the middle, and it welcomes Schwimmer’s claviola and taisho harp amid the vocal harmonies, while “Only Son” emits graceful cellos from Myron Lutzke and Jake Charkey that suits the heartfelt singing of the piano fueled beauty.

The last 2 tracks, “Somewhere Down The Line” and “Better Man”, don’t disappoint either. The former has Schwimmer handling Hammond B3 and Bill Holoman’s strategic flugelhorn, where Walker’s range is explored, and the latter is a punchy and smooth finish that benefits from Larry Etkin’s trumpet and Holloman’s tenor sax.

A diverse effort that embraces both light and dark moments, nods to the ‘70s won’t go unnoticed here, as Walker tips his hat to Jackson Browne, Squeeze and the Fab Four with much success.

Travels well with: Laurie Lewis- Trees; Armchair Boogie- Hard Times & Deadlines

Brenda Earle Stokes

Motherhood

Self-Released, 2024

8/10

Listen to Motherhood

The singer and pianist Brenda Earle Stokes brings us songs that surround motherhood, where Ingrid Jensen, Evan Gregor, Ross Pederson, Melissa Stylianou and Nicole Zuraitis are in attendance for the 10 jazz spirited songs.

“The Endless Wait” opens the listen with Stokes’ soulful voice alongside Jensen’s glowing trumpet for the rich delivery, and “This Is Your Childhood” follows with mesmerizing keys and Pederson’s dynamic drumming that suits the eloquent climate.

“Kathleen” arrives in the middle and makes great use of bright storytelling and mature piano that allows for Stokes’ agile voice to shine, while “Loose Tooth Blues” indeed touches on the blues via the adventurous keys, animated singing and Gregor’s lively bass lines.

“Sharp Edges” lands close to the end, and uses spoken word that is quite relevant to any parent, and “Happy Mother’s Day” exits with the flowing rhythm section and melodic gestures illumating Stokes’ timeless craft.

A Canadian native who now calls New York home, the harmonic and improvisational ideas are complemented by theatre and protest song nods that mesh parenthood with jazz in very interesting ways.

Travels well with: Dan Loomis- Revolutions; Kari Van Der Kloot- Window

Claudio Scolari Project

Opera 8

Principal, 2024

9/10

Listen to Opera 8

The inimitable quartet the Claudio Scolari Project return with an 8th album, where modern jazz unfolds with profound attention to detail.

“Harmonic Canopy” begins the listen with much emphasis on drumming, as spacey moments enter the dynamic and cinematic landscape, and “Eclectic Groove Expedition” follows with Michele Cavalca’s funky bass lines and Simone Scolari’s soulful trumpet that adds much richness.

Landing in the middle is “Necessary Loneliness”, where well timed keys and crisp drums make for a playful mood, while “Celestial Revelation” showcases glowing synth amid hazy brass and much ambience.

Close to the end, “Wood, Skin & Brass” emits acrobatic drumming that’s both reserved and adventurous, and “View From Above” buzzes with some sci-fi flavor that integrates, piano, trumpet and drumming via incredible interplay that few others could replicate.

Claudio Scolari handles drums and synth programming, and Daniele Cavalca contributes drums, live synth, rhodes and piano. Along with Simone’s horn and Michele’s bass, they place funk, classical and experimental ideas into this truly original and exciting effort.

Travels well with: Claudio Scolari Project- Intermission; Claudio Scolari Project- Cosmology

Cecil Price Walden

Hours

Albany, 2024

8/10

Listen to Hours

The composer and pianist Cecil Price Walden is joined by Alice Anne Light for these 16 vocal and key focused tracks that emit much beauty.

“Hours: I. Will There Really Be a Morning?” starts the listen with Light’s expressive pipes alongside soft and dreamy keys, and it isn’t long until “Hours: IV. Why Dost Thou Shade Thy Lovely Face?” carries a playful mood of dancing piano alongside the soaring vocals.

Moving into the middle, “Hours: VIII. Ubi Sunt” is particularly intimate and powerful via the unparalleled singing, while “Hours: XI. Passage II” is a loud and rumbling moment of dense keys that are both turbulent and intriguing.

Closer to the end, “Hours: XII. Spring Torrents” flows with much beauty and grace via the melodic key progressions and bright vocals, and “Hours: XVI. Dona Nobis Pacem” exits with sublime prettiness and poeticism that tugs on the heartstrings.

The pair work together with incredible fluidity, where calm versus louder musicianship emits tremendous skill and care that is very much appreciated.

Travels well with: Eric Kutz- The Six Cello Suites Of J.S. Bach; Bradley Ellingboe- StarSong

Aleksi Glick

World Traveler

Pinch, 2024

8/10

Listen to World Traveler

The esteemed guitarist and composer Aleksi Glick is joined by Jeff Koch, Nathan Ellman-Bell, Laureana, Adam Ahuja, and Eric Trudel for the worldly jazz flavor of these 9 originals and a cover.

“She Told Me” begins the listen with Glick’s spirited guitar alongside Laureana’s soulful pipes and Ellman-Bells’ crisp drumming, and “His Spirit” follows with meticulous guitar licks that are complemented by Koch’s well timed bass prowess.

Halfway through, “Guitar And Me” offers a soft moment of calm grooves, while “Nordic Bossa” is a breezy and melodic highlight of expressive singing, plenty of beauty and playful scatting.

“Angel From Montgomery” lands closer to the end, and is more rock focused, as no lack of rhythm enters the dynamic instrumental, and “We’re Getting There” exits with Ahuja’s mesmerizing keys suit the powerful vocals and stylish, jazz fueled finish.

Although very much indebted to jazz, we’re also treated to blues, Americana, R&B, Bossa Nova and soul ideas, too, as Glick and his company don’t shy away from grooves, hooks and melody.

Travels well with: Iris Trio- Project Earth: The Blue Chapter; Skylark- Clear Voices In The Dark

Cassie Kinoshi's Seed

Gratitude

International Anthem, 2024

9/10

Listen to Gratitude

The composer, arranger and alto saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi doesn’t disappoint on this debut album, where many guests are in attendance for 7 diverse and creative tracks.

“i” opens the listen with droning strings before Maria Chiara Argirò’s stirring keys and Kinoshi’s well timed sax enter the dramatic and lush climate, and “ii” follows with Patrick Gabriel-Boyle’s agile drumming that suits Shirley Tetteh’s dreamy guitar.

“iii sune through my window” arrives in the middle and benefits from strong attention to ambience amid Clare Bennett’s poetic flute and Alastair Penman’s rich clarinet, while “iv” focuses much on Konoshi’s flowing sax acrobatics and plenty of other brass, too, for a soaring jazz presence.

The final piece, “Smoke in the Sun”, might be the best, where Jack Banjo Courtney and Sheila Maurice-Grey’s animated trumpets and Hanna Mbuya’s memorable tuba complement the rhythm section, guitar and keys with meticulous texturing and warmth.

Perhaps jazz at its core, the electronic elements and orchestral bouts add much uniqueness to this well thought out record that speaks volumes in just 21 minutes.

Travels well with: Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti and Frank Rosaly- Mestizx; Orquesta Akokán- Caracoles

Carlos Manuel Vargas

Souvenirs

Navona, 2024

9/10

Listen to Souvenirs

The inimitable pianist Carlos Manuel Vargas brings us a solo listen where sounds from many parts of the world meet for a very intimate and rich listen.

Heitor Villa-Lobos’ “Impressões Seresteiras” opens the affair with dizzying and complicated keys via Vargas’ finger acrobatics, and “Virtuoso Etudes after Gershwin”, by George Gershwin and arranged by Earl Wild, follows with so much radiating beauty and color from the captivating delivery.

Moving into the middle, the swift “Estudio en Zamba” illustrates a highly melodic gesture via the Rafael Bullumba Landestoy original, while Francis Poulenc’s “Hommage à Edith Piaf”, the album’s best, is full of rich and dynamic piano prowess that few others could replicate.

José María Vitier’s “Preludio de Sofía” arrives close to the end and offers a heartfelt and cautious moment, and “Levante”, by Osvaldo Golijov, finishes with complicated but certainly accessible instrumentation that will always be enjoyable.

A body of work that’s dramatic, romantic and with Latin influences, Vargas plays flawlessly and memorably here.

Travels well with: Yoko Hirota- Small Is Beautiful; Drift- Society Of Composers, Inc. Volume 34

Christina Petrowski Quilico

Games Of The Night Wind

Navona, 2024

8/10

Listen to Games Of The Night Wind

Christina Petrowska Quilico brings her inimitable piano skills to the work of 4 composers, whose visions is fleshed out with much poeticism, agility and unpredictability.

“Les Yeux Clos”, by Tōru Takemitsu, opens with the cautious keys emitting both mystery and wonder, where strong attention to mood is present, and David Jaeger’s “Nocturne No.” follows with detailed key progressions that are intriguing and engaging across the 4 diverse climates.

On the back half, Alexandre Tansman’s “Nocturne No.” finds a very intimate place to reside, where rumbling moments and dreamy ebbs don’t disappoint, while “Intermezzo”, by Henryk Górecki, is a quick bout of minimal gestures that are subtly touching.

Close to the end, Jaeger continues his “Nocturne No” installments, as segments 9-12 are populated by firm fingers, cinematic swells and plenty of atypical patterns.

Every nocture present touches on different ideas of the night, i.e. deception, memory, redemption and realization, and they’re executed with incredible precision via Quilico’s sublime skills.

Travels well with: Franz Liszt- Majestic Liszt; Lawrence K. Moss- Unseen Paths

Carl Clements

A Different Light

Greydisc, 2024

8/10

Listen to A Different Light

The multi-instrumentalist Carl Clements is joined by Chase Morrin, Bruno Råberg and Gen Yoshimura for these 9 solo friendly and melodically diverse pieces that are all originals.

“Onset” starts the listen with a distinct energy, where mesmerizing keys from Morrin suit Clements’ soaring sax, and “Sanyog” follows with soft bass thanks to Råberg, as soulful sax unfolds amid the mesmerizing keys.

“A Different Light” arrives in the middle and finds an intimate place to reside via the emotive sax and precisely plucked bass, while “In Sight” allows for Yoshimura’s drumming to shine in the dynamic and busy album highlight.

Landing closer to the end, “Before Again” in a reflective and dreamy moment that showcases elegant sax alongside meticulous piano and a stylish rhythm section, and “Good Luck, Bad Luck (Who Knows?)” exits with Clements handing bansuri that is met with flowing and melodic instrumentation.

Clements has enjoyed a colorful career, and this unique body of work continues his globally embraceable sounds that make great use of an excellent cast.

Travels well with: Randy Weinstein- Harmonimonk; Jake Hertzog- Longing To Meet You

Carl Smith

Mr. Country

Country Rewind, 2019

8/10

Listen to Mr. Country

Even though he passed away nearly a decade ago, fans of classic country aren’t going to pass up an opportunity to hear Carl Smith tunes, and with Mr. Country we’re treated to selections that were a bit obscure and/or never commercially released.

“Are You Teasing Me” gets the album off to a classic country start with aching pedal steel and a twangy, shuffling setting of warm sounds, and “If Teardrops Were Pennies” follows with an emotive, soulful spirit.

Elsewhere, “Deep Water” and “Loose Talk” move with a quick pace and soothing backing vocals that could soundtrack a barn dance, and in the middle “There Stands The Glass” illustrates Smith’s strong vocal prowess with a retro feeling.

Near the end, “Foggy River” recruits intricate guitar work on a melodic and rural highlight, and the ballad-esque “The Best Years Of Your Life” tugs on the heartstrings with its touching delivery. The album ends on “The Way I Lose My Mind”, where Smith parallels legends like Presley and Cash with grace and much timeless skill.

A legend who had hits across 3 decades, this recording was culled from master tapes that were in storage for 50 years, and those with an ear for vintage or modern country will find much to enjoy here.

Travels well with: Conway Twitty- Country; Waylon Jennings- The One And Only