Girl In The Yard
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
On her 5th album as leader and first of original material and arrangements, Joy Lapps brings her steelpans to a very diverse listen that welcomes Elmer Ferrer (guitar), Jeremy Ledbetter (piano), Andrew Stewart (bass) and Larnell Lewis (drums), plus others, for the jazz meets world music affair.
“Lulu’s Dream” opens the listen with Rob Christian’s glowing tenor sax amid the lively, Caribbean influenced, percussive sounds and “Josie’s Smile” follows with Lapps’ warm steelpans meshing well with Jesse Ryan’s alto sax prowess.
Further on, “Morning Sunrise” brings plenty of voices and strings into the island flavored grooves of the rich textures, while the firm and dance friendly “Serena” displays Colleen Allen’s clarinet skills alongside a lively samba.
Closer to the end, “Granny’s Pan” is just steelpans and percussion in the brief but exciting landscape, and “Fly” continues the playfulness with some synth meshing with the guitars and brass in a very uplifting, summery demeanor.
A truly unique listen that pulls influences from across the globe, Lapps and company flesh out a uniquely rhythmic and contagious effort that’s sometimes cinematic and always flows with a meticulous and fascinating energy.
Travels well with: Billy Drummond And Freedom Of Ideas- Valse Sinistre; Troy Roberts- Nu-Jive: Nations United