World Traveler
Pinch, 2024
8/10
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