Gotham
Henri Elkan 2024
9/10
The always exciting composer and arranger Wayne Alpern enlists a large cast for these 13 jazz and classically influenced tracks that continue his creative vision.
John Patitucci’s playful bass lines start the upbeat energy of “Batman”, where plenty of brass enters the rich climate, and “Blue Room” follows with Andrew Ezrin’s meticulous keys amid the soulful horns and frisky bass.
Residing near the middle, Clint de Ganon’s thumping drums guide the dense and cinematic “Anyone Can Whistle”, while “Two Sleepy People” carries a romantic spirit that benefits much from Antoine Silverman’s intimate violin.
Very close to the end, the initial brass of “Little Darlin’” leads into warm guitar from Kevin Ramessar and hand clapping that helps make this the album’s best, and "When I’m Sixty-Four” is both reserved and adventurous, where a carnival-esque mood is cultivated with much joy and wonder.
You might be familiar with some of these songs, as the work of Horace Silver, Jobim, Sondheim, Lennon and McCartney, among others, are featured, but Alpern truly makes everything his own across another fascinating body of work.
Travels well with: Stan Harrison- Some Poor Soul Has A Fire; Andy Ezrin- I Was Here