I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Alys Jazz, 2020
8/10
Listen to I’ll Be Home For Christmas
The luminous British pianist Gabriel Latchin is in fine company here, as Dario Di Lecce handles bass and Josh Morrison sits behind the drum kit across these well crafted and often adventurous holiday songs
“Winter Wonderland” starts the album with frisky percussion as warm keys enter the playful jazz climate, and “Jingle Bells” follows with a swift pace as plucked bass and bouts of acrobatic keys put an entirely new spin on the classic.
Close to the middle, “A Toast To Friends” moves with a rich atmosphere of precise, soulful song craft, while “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)” finds itself in ballad territory initially before building into a rhythmic display of timeless song craft. “White Christmas”, the best of the bunch, then displays sublime beauty from all 3 players amid the sophisticated, elegant landscape.
Towards the end, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” illustrates intricate restraint in the slow burning atmosphere, and “Silent Night” finishes the album surprisingly upbeat with plenty of grooves, as Latchin and company reinvent the song in a brilliant new light.
These interpretations were originally performed as a sold out show in London in December 2018, and now we can all enjoy Latchin’s unique vision of festive tunes that he reimagined in the spirit of his idols, Bill Evan, Cedar Walton and Ahmad Jamal.
Travels well with: Charles Lloyd & The Marvels- Vanished Gardens; 3D Jazz Trio- Christmas In 3D