Love Letters
Mighty Quinn, 2023
9/10
The guitarist, composer and educator Roni Ben-Hur finds himself in excellent company, where Ingrid Jensen, Ugonna Okegwo and Jason Tiemann are along for these contemporary jazz songs that resonate much sincerity.
“To Dizzy With Love” opens and spotlights Jensen’s glowing trumpet amid the frisky drums from Tiemann, and “Seul, á Paris” follows with a hazy presence thanks to the soulful brass and Okegwo’s precisely plucked bass for the sublime intimacy.
Deeper still, “Lonely Town” makes great use of Ben-Hur’s meticulous guitar playing for the radiant and thoughtful album highlight, while “The House That Yosef Built” emits animated trumpet, playful drums and bouncy bass that you could dance to.
“Waiting For JH” and “Love Letters” exits the listen, where the former is more rock focused and melodic via the lively horn and upbeat drums, and the latter is quite dreamy, moody and populated by hushed musicianship.
A listen that’s soulful and heartfelt from beginning to end, Ben-Hur and company make for wistful moments, swing bouts and mature, glorious songwriting that are to be absorbed with the utmost care.
Travels well with: Clark Sommers- Feast Ephemera; Hazelrigg Brothers- Synchronicity