Jeff Coffin

Between Dreaming And Joy

Ear Up, 2022

9/10

Listen to Between Dreaming And Joy

The esteemed saxophonist and composer Jeff Coffin aligns himself with plenty of first rate players across these very worldly, jazz influenced tracks that are as powerful as they are eclectic.

“Vinnie The Crow” opens the listen with Jordan Preston’s playful drumming and Richard Aspinwall’s spirited guitar work as Coffin handles flute, bass clarinet, tenor sax and electro-sax on the lively and rhythmic display, and “Ruthie” follows with Jonathan Wires showcasing his skilled bass acrobatics amid Coffin’s dreamy flute in the precisely textured climate.

At the halfway point, the title track spotlights Buddy Strong’s inimitable B3 organ alongside Marcus King’s proficient slide guitar and Jennifer Hartswick’s subtle vocals, while “Spinning Plates”, the best track, benefits from Coffin’s many talents as he handles flute, bass flute, C whistle, soprano sax, bass clarinet, shakers and percussion in the one man band performance.

Close to the end, Sarah Ariche’s wordless vocals add much allure to the soothing “When Birds Sing”, and “Bird & Magic” exits the listen with Chris Wood’s upright bass and clapstick and Nigel Hall’s fender rhodes and B3 organ helping cultivate a very cultured, festive finish.

An extremely meticulous affair and Coffin’s 21st as leader, there’s 8 bassists, 6 drummers, 5 guitar players, 4 keyboardists, and other instruments from all over the globe that help make this a truly unique and absorbing listen that you won’t soon forget.

Travels well with: Eric Krasno- Always; Or Bareket- Sahar

The Alex Leach Band

All The Way

Mountain Home, 2022

8/10

Listen to All The Way

The singer-songwriter Alex Leach brings his guitar and singing prowess to this 2nd record on the Mountain Home label, and he’s got an all star cast along with him for 10 originals and a couple of surprises.

“Together (We’re Going All The Way)” opens with Leach’s distinct pipes alongside Miranda Leach’s harmony vocals and Roscoe Morgan’s soothing mandolin in the melodic bluegrass climate, and “Walk A Mile In My Shoes” follows with swift string interaction that showcases Chris Sexton’s fiddle and Jason Johnson’s banjo alongside precise picking.

In the middle, the very pretty “The Game Is Always Different” illuminates Carley Arrowood’s charming fiddle and Tony Creasman’s fluid drumming in the album’s best, while “Loveland” places Chris Castle on pedal steel and Bryan McDowell on fiddle for the cautious landscape.

Near to the end, “Lineman In The Rain” illuminates Derek Vaden’s intricate banjo and JT Coleman’s skilled bass to complement the vivid storytelling, and “High Tide” exits with Castle’s cozy pedal steel and Johnson’s gentle banjo highlighting the very expressive vocals from Miranda and Alex Leach.

A very diverse album that’s very much rooted in bluegrass, Leach and company again prove just why they’re so well adored by their peers and fans on this instantly memorable body of work.

Travels well with: Fireside Collective- Across The Divide; Lonesome River Band- Heyday

Chet Doxas

Rich In Symbolism II

Justin Time, 2022

9/10

Listen to Rich In Symbols II

The NYC resident and Montréal native Chet Doxas brings his esteemed saxophone and clarinet prowess to these artistic 7 pieces that welcome help from Jacob Sacks (piano and mellotron), Joe Grass (pedal steel, guitar and banjo), Zack Lober (bass) and Eric Doob (drums and programming).

“The Slopes Of Saint-Tite-Des-Caps” opens the listen with much warmth, where a mesmerizing melody and precise clarinet are met with light drums and bare but impactful keys, and “Snow Clouds” follows with a very frisky approach that embraces swirling guitar and electro-pop ideas into the fold.

“Tree Trunk” and “North Shore, Lake Superior” are packed in the middle, where the former is percussively strong with plenty of worldly rhythm, and the latter spends 10+ minutes impressing us with its strategic brass and ambient mood. “The Front Of Winter” exits the listen, and illuminates the intimate piano, soulful sax and rich song craft that we could never tire of.

The compositions present are interpretations of The Group of Seven, Tom Thomson and Emily Carr, and Doxas and company certainly bridge art and music together with an exciting and inimitable approach that ends entirely too soon.

Travels well with: Jacob Chung- Epistle; Chris Mondak- Glass Spheres

The Deer's Cry

Heal The Heart

Self-Released, 2022

9/10

Listen to Heal The Heart

The sophomore album from The Deer’s Cry, the 10 songs here stem from dark, melancholic times at the onset of the pandemic, when the lead singer, Karen Thames Ballew, was struggling with isolation.

“Cavern Cathedral” starts the listen with very poetic, pretty singing alongside cautious drumming and very elegant strings in the worldly, folk climate, and “Dogwood Tree” follows with very expressive singing as Irish rhythms and Americana banjo make for a very distinct landscape.

At the halfway point, “I See His Blood Upon The Rose” is quite intimate, and showcases a very dreamy, bare demeanor, while the title track emits both soulful and pop qualities amid the very articulate and emotive delivery.

Close to the end, “Morning Light” recruits sweepings strings and dreamy vocals that help make this the album’s best, and “Jesus Sees Me” exits the listen with piano balladry that allows for Holbrook’s diverse pipes to illuminate the stirring finish.

A listen that’s packed with so much beauty, symbolism and diversity, you’ll hear traces of jazz, folk, gospel, classical, bluegrass, Celtic and world music in these gems that Patrick Atwater (bass, arranging), Bryan Brock (drums, percussion), and Will MacLean (banjo, guitar) provide the musicianship for.

Travels well with: Lynn Swisher Spears- I Am; Deidre McCalla- Endless Grace

The Company Stores

The Family Album

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to The Family Album

The esteemed Charleston, West Virginia rockers The Company Stores return with their 3rd album, and it has the lead vocalist Ileana Ille guiding the meticulous band through themes of family that display skilled texturing, harmonies and grooves.

“Savannah” starts the listen with a warm atmosphere, a Ille’s powerful and soulful pipes steer the crisp drums and agile rock climate, and “A New Leaf” follows with graceful keys, twinkling percussion and an impressive vocal range, where the tune soars with a very passionate delivery.

Closer to the middle, the soothing grooves of the cautious “Old Dog” are met with spirited guitar work, while “Fathers” displays a profound intimacy that’s quite poetic, and even a bit darker in scope as the band make for a stirring delivery.

Near to the end, “Some Sunday” uses brass strategically alongside some subtle R&B nods, and “Castles & Cain” exits the listen with a bare but impactful gospel demeanor that’s gentle, almost meditative.

A very diverse listen that uses strings and horns and can rock with plenty of grit, but also retreat to vulnerable moments of beauty, The Company Stores just keep getting better with each subsequent release.

Travels well with: Damn Tall Buildings- Sleeping Dogs; Swift Silver- Swift Silver

C'mon Tigre

Scenario

Intersuoni, 2022

8/10

Listen to Scenario

The unclassifiable duo C’mon Tigre return with their 3rd album, where sounds from across the globe, including jazz, funk and hip-hop, to name a few, are present and appreciated.

“Deserving My Devotion” starts the listen with warm, Eastern influences in the meticulous string manipulation, and “Twist Into Any Shape” follows with playful beats, cultured singing and a club friendly appeal that’s quite soulful.

Further on, “Automatic Ctrl” incorporates some dense moments amid the soft melodies and a mysterious version of eletro-pop, while “No One You Know” recruits Xenia Rubinos’ powerful pipes for the lush and dreamy moment of sublime beauty.

Approaching the end, “Flowers In My Spoon” features Mick Jenkins’ rapping skills across the raw and fluid album highlight, and “Sleeping Beauty” exits the listen with Colin Stetson’s contributions on the dance floor ready buzzing that’s as infectious as it is original.

A truly unique listen that’s highly unpredictable and creative, there isn’t a moment here that’s not worth exploring repeatedly.

Travels well with; Colin Stetson- Hereditary; Fanfara Station- Boussadia

John Amadon

Tangent Canyon

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Tangent Canyon

The multi-instrumentalist and vocalist John Amadon brings along RFK Heise on drums and Paul Brainard on trumpet for these well thought out Americana songs that occasionally get a little more rugged in the timeless formula.

“Half Sleep” starts the listen with warm piano, before breezy acoustic strumming enters alongside the gentle, emotive singing on the folk influenced climate, and “Even One Time” follows with a firm guitar crunch as Amadon enters more gritty areas that benefits from thumping drums.

“Look Right Here” occupies the middle spot and trims the pace back with a cozy intimacy that points towards the ‘60s, while “Find An Oasis” jangles a bit amid the bouncy keys and upbeat melodies that parallels Elliott Smith at his happiest moments.

Close to the end, “Wife And Hay” showcases precise bass playing amid the poetic singing and Brainard’s well timed brass, and the best track, “Where The End Begins”, exits with a lyrically romantic spirit and agile, soothing musicianship that emits a dreamy guitar solo.

You might be reminded of heroes like The Beatles, Big Star or even Wilco when listening to these 10 songs, and much like those legends, Amadon delivers with a universally enjoyable and relatable appeal that will always be relevant.

Travels well with: John Amadon- Monarchs Of The Spukhaus; Birdtalker- One

The Vignatis

50/50 Part 1: Gypsybilly Vol. 5

GB, 2022

9/10

Listen 50/50 Part 1: Gypsybilly Vol. 5

The Vignatis consists of Fabrice Vignati (vocals, guitar, banjo) and Tracy Vignati (vocals, clarinet, keys), and together they birth a rockabilly, French gypsy jazz and beat friendly formula that’s as exciting as it is inimitable across these 5 originals and 5 covers.

The bouncy and playful “Chicken Fried” opens and is steeped in country ideas, but certainly welcomes some diverse moments with the clarinet and banjo prowess, and “With A Little Help From My Friends” follows with a very upbeat and frisky interpretation of the classic from The Beatles that will get your body moving to the infectious energy.

Close to the middle, the raspy and tuneful “Welcome To The Jungle” puts an charming spin on the hard rocker that we never knew could be enhanced by a banjo, while “Thriller” isn’t quite as haunting as the original but is certainly as memorable with its rockabilly demeanor.

Near the exit, “Pride (In The Name Of Love)” makes great use of clarinet, as the pair harmonize on the U2 staple, and “Belle”, an original, finishes with breezy melodies and a very cozy, tuneful display of cultured and timeless musicianship.

If you’re like me and prefer your cover songs to not be note for note the same as the originals, you’re really going to admire the song craft here. The songs the pair penned on their own are excellent, too, and embrace all the hallmarks we love about roots rock, alt-country and neo-swing, but present them in very unconventional ways.

Travels well with: Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band- Poor Until Payday; The Devil Makes Three- Chains Are Broken

Cotoba

4pricot

Self-Released, 2022

9/10

Listen to 4pricot

A math rock outfit from Seoul, South Korea, Cotoba features Dafne (guitars, production), DyoN Joo (vocals, guitar), SEI (bass) and Minsuh (drums) for this powerful and rhythmic affair.

“Free Will” opens with a radiant guitar tone, as the crisp drumming illuminates a very bright, math-rock focused climate that showcases the dreamy singing, and “Kyrie” follows with the fluid bass lines making an impression amid the precise musicianship that even hints at jazz.

In the middle, the instrumental “Things We Are Looking For” emits some prog-rock nods in its careful texturing, while “Warm Salad” is a bit more furious, and touches on post-punk thanks to its off kilter rhythms.

Near to the end, “Reyn (Onstage Version)” illustrates a very lush demeanor alongside the emotive singing that’s a bit breathy, and “Rescape” exits with thumping drums and bouncy bass lines to populate the intimate finish.

A band who are strikingly intricate, but have plenty of mass appeal, this debut album is exceptional, and should make a global impression.

Travels well with: L&S- When The Vowels Fall; Goodbye, Kings- The Cliché of Falling Leaves

Frum

For The Blue Sky

hfn, 2022

8/10

Listen to For The Blue Sky

The alias of the Faroe Islands native Jenný Jónsdóttir Kragesteen, as Frum the songstress creates a very reflective version of electronic pop that’s never short on ambience and mood oriented textures.

“Awake” opens the listen with Frum’s expressive and soulful voice amid much warm atmosphere, as gentle electro-pop enters with much allure, and “In This” follows with calm keys alongside the emotive singing that flows with a very poetic, intimate feel.

Closer to the middle, the playful and melodic “Run” emits a late night demeanor that builds into a lush display, while “Tumbled” seems destined for the dance floor in Frum’s dynamic and buzzing formula.

Moving towards the end, “Giving” offers a hazy, mysterious feeling that’s beat friendly and vocally soothing, and the title track exits the listen with one of the busier tracks, where adventurous electronica and fluid singing meet at a very charming intersection.

Frum’s silky pipes are immediately mesmerizing, and this album tells the story of a young woman finding her way in the world, navigating through self-doubt but still finding plenty of optimism along the way. It makes for a very personal venture, and one that at times can be minimal and introspective, but also finds fuller areas of electro-pop that are quite distinct and mesmerizing.

Travels well with: Kady Rain- Kady Rain; TC Superstar- Double Release

The Chris Parker Trio

Tell Me

M’bubba, 2022

8/10

Listen Tell Me

The inestimable drummer and composer Chris Parker aligns himself with the pianist Kyoko Oyobe and Ameen Saleem on bass for his 3rd trio effort and 8th as band leader.

“Coolypso” starts the listen with precise drumming, as playful bass and graceful keys enter the charming climate, and “Desaparecido” follows with soft melodies and a reflective tone emitting much grace and warmth.

Halfway through, “Minky, Don’t You Weep” flows with a more rock focused approach that’s got a bit more firmness to the formula, while “Nippon Days, Nippon Nights” showcases the strategically plucked bass amid the agile keys on the album’s best selection.

The title track lands near the end, and is full of Parker’s inimitable drumming alongside the clever bass and bouncy keys, and “Title Waived” exits with David Finck’s bass solo and Chris Biesterfedlt proficient guitar adding much allure to the finisher.

Parker has enjoyed an impressive career that has spanned 50 years and includes playing alongside some of the biggest names. Along with Oyobe and Saleem he adds yet another excellent body of work in the area of atypical and eclectic jazz that warrants repeated listens.

Travels well with: Jared Schonig- Two Takes Vol. 2: Big Band; Jared Schonig- Two Takes Vol. 1

Marshall Gilkes

Cyclic Journey

Alternate Side, 2022

8/10

Listen to Cyclic Journey

The trombonist and composer Marshall Gilkes is in the company of many players for these tracks that soundtrack Gilkes’ personal and professional life with no lack of melodies, harmonies and rhythmic sensibilities in the flowing jazz climate.

“First Light” opens the listen with bright brass, as much warmth enters the cautious landscape that later on welcomes graceful keys and crisp drumming, and “Up And Down” continues with precise layering of horns and swift key progressions.

“Respite” occupies the middle spot, and flows with an intimate spirit that benefits from the soulful brass, while “Beat The Clock” embraces a playful nature that showcases the acrobatic drumming and frisky piano amid the well timed horns.

Close to the end, “Cyclic Journey” offers a dreamy demeanor of stirring song craft, and the bonus track, “Sin Filtro”, embraces plenty of Spanish ideas in the very festive and meticulous finish.

Gilkes in joined by Aaron Park (piano), Linda May Han Oh (bass), Johnathan Blake (drums), Brandon Ridenour (trumpet, piccolo trumpet, flugelhorn), Ethan Bensdorf (trumpet, flugelhorn), Tony Kadleck (trumpet, flugelhorn), Adam Unsworth (horn), Joseph Alessi (trombone), Demondrae Thurman (euphonium), Nick Schwartz (bass trombone), and Marcus Rojas (tuba). Together, they make for a flexible, unique and very charming execution that you won’t soon forget.

Travels well with: Jared Schonig- Two Takes Vol. 1; The Chris Parker Trio- Tell Me

Gordon Thomas Ward

Whispers From The Woods

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Whispers From The Woods

The inimitable songwriter Gordon Thomas Ward returns with a 4th album, where he enlists an all star cast of players to help soundtrack his honest and sincere storytelling.

The title track starts the listen with much gentle atmosphere, where whispers from Jud Caswell and Robby Coffin’s gentle electric guitar help make for a very intimate climate, and “The Gift” follows with Abbie Gardner’s resonator guitar helping the poetic demeanor unfold with grace.

In the middle, William J. Hall’s well timed harmony vocals and Andy Happel’s elegant strings give the cautious Americana a bit of an orchestral feel, while “Fly” emits a stirring quality amid Scott Elliott’s electric bass and Ronnie Bouffard’s strategic drums.

Closer to the end, the album highlight, “The 2nd Floor”, lands in timeless folk territory with bouncy acoustic strumming and Ward’s expressive singing populating the gospel angle, and “Evening Bell” exits with April Reed-Cox’s absorbing cello and Ben Hunsberger’s elegant piano helping make for a sophisticated and very mature finish.

Somewhere between folk, Americana, country and adult alternative, Ward and company make for a very unique listen that matches his vivid imagery with colorful musicianship.

Travels well with: Jackson Browne- Downhill From Everywhere; Jim Stanard- Color Outside The Lines

Michaela Anne

Oh To Be That Free

Yep Roc, 2022

8/10

Listen to Oh To Be That Free

The Nashville singer-songwriter Michaela Anne returns with another batch of sweeping, rich and intimate songs that point towards country, folk, Americana and indie-rock.

“I’m Only Human” starts the listen with Anne’s fluid and expressive voice alongside a lush and dreamy climate of warmth and grace, and “Trees” follows with much emphasis on atmosphere, where hints of country enter the poetic beauty.

The title track lands in the middle, and it’s full of breezy acoustic guitar, cozy drumming and, of course, Anne’s pretty voice, while “Dirty Secrets” is a bit more firm, and allows for timeless folk qualities to enter the cautious yet soaring album highlight.

Close to the end, “Mountains And Mesas” enters darker areas of eloquent and emotive song craft that’s hazy in its absorbing delivery, and “It’s Just A Feeling” exits with a charming sparseness that allows Anne’s stirring voice to shine amid the bare musicianship.

A body of work that was penned after a bout of self-sabotage, Anne explores both reckoning and healing across these 11 well thought out tracks. Some life altering moments occurred during the recording process, including Anne having her first child and her mother suffering from a serious stroke, which gave the songs an entirely new meaning for her, and they resonate with a rare vulnerability for our appreciative ears.

Travels well with: Karen Jonas- Summer Songs; Lilly Hiatt- Walking Proof

Russ Hewitt

Chasing Horizons

Self-Released, 2022

9/10

Listen to Chasing Horizons

A very accomplished listen that took 4 years to make, Russ Hewitt has some exceptional help on hand for this rhythmic fusion affair that brings several different guitarists to the experience.

“Alende” opens the listen with much cultured warmth, where flowing guitar and cozy percussion makes for a breezy, melodic climate, and the title track follows with Nuno Bettencourt on nylon guitar for the rumba flamenco flavored delivery that’s quite fluid.

Elsewhere, “Amor Perdido” features the Bucharest All-Star Orchestra for the lush landscape that’s very much focused on mood, while “Sunset Samba” recruits Jorge Strunz’s guitar prowess for the very stylish and dynamic album highlight.

Approaching the end, “Cubalia Café” showcases Ardeshir Farah’s finger acrobatics on guitar for the toe-tappin and cozy formula, and “Return To Simitai” exits with Tri Nguyen’s contributions on Vietnamese Zither for the more cautious yet dreamy and very groove oriented finish.

A fascinating journey that explores samba, montuno, milonga, fatback, rumba Flamenco, guajira and four-on-the-floor nods, you’ve probably never heard anything like Chasing Horizons before, and you’ll likely want to hear it again and again.

Travels well with: Craig Davis- Tone Paintings; Roger Lewis- Alright!

Emiliano Sampaio Jazz Symphonic Orchestra

We Have A Dream

Alessa, 2022

8/10

Listen to We Have A Dream

The guitarist, trombonist, arranger, composer and conductor Emiliano Sampaio brings along an esteemed orchestra for these diverse and exciting jazz compositions.

The listen gets off to a very warm, atmospheric start with the precise layering of the reflective “New Old Paths”, and “Touching” follows with swift strings illuminating the very intimate 38 seconds.

Further on, the booming drums of “Dry Soil” leads into the dreamy mallet work, soaring strings and soothing winds of the cinematic landscape, while “Always Go Back (To The Blues)” uses brass strategically in a more bare demeanor that manipulates space and tension superbly.

Near to the end, the colorful keys and slow burning approach of “Revolution” makes this one of the album’s best, and “Old New Paths” exits the listen with sublime string interaction that segues into firm drumming, vivid brass and a very meticulous finish.

With the large cast on hand, there’s plenty of surprises along the way, as Sampaio and company incorporate no lack of world music ideas into an orchestral jazz listen that few could replicate.

Travels well with: Dafnis Prieto- Cantar; The Relay- The Relay

Duduka Da Fonseca & Quarteto Universal

Yes!!!

Sunnyside, 2022

9/10

Listen to Yes!!!

The 4 time Grammy nominated drummer Duduka Da Fonseca finds himself in the company of Vinicius Gomes (guitars), Helio Alves (piano), and Gili Lopes (bass) for these worldly jazz tunes from the quartet supergroup.

“Samba Novo” gets the listen off to a very rhythmic start, where swift keys and warm guitar solos make for a very melodic climate, and “Transition” follows with Da Fonseca delivering a wild drum solo before a very busy but precise landscape unfolds.

“Bebe” lands in the middle, and offers a waltz friendly delivery that erupts into an ebullient display, while “Exodo” showcases a timeless jazz flavor amid the Brazilian influences that are quite mesmerizing.

Moving deeper into the listen, “West 83rd Street” embraces traces of New York in its stylish demeanor, and “Dona Maria” exits the listen with the best track that uses a breezy melody for all it’s worth.

An excellent listen that at times is quite intimate, but can also post-bop with the best of them, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if this debut from Da Fonseca and company throws more Grammy attention his way.

Travels well with: Craig Davis- Tone Paintings; Roger Lewis- Alright!

Dafnis Prieto Featuring Luciana Souza

Cantar

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Cantar

The drummer, composer and educator Dafnis Prieto aligns himself with the Grammy winning Brazilian Luciana Souza for these 10 tracks that span very cultured jazz ideas that are sung in 3 different languages.

“Guajira en Sol” opens the listen with bright singing and warm keys that are complemented by frisky percussion and occasional winds, and “When I Miss You” follows with a very intimate appeal that uses plucked bass strategically amid the dreamy winds and very gentle climate.

“To The Concert” occupies the middle spot and displays swift vocal acrobatics, before thumping drums and firm keys populate the rhythmic landscape, while “Brisa” emits gorgeous piano and soothing winds that bursts into a dynamic version of jazz that flows with melodies and adventurousness.

“The Muse” and “Guajira en Lu” exit the listen, where the former is quite soulful, and builds into a lush, harmonic album highlight, and the latter incorporates some rock influences into the brass filled and timeless jazz inspired finish.

Prieto handles drums, percussion, vocals and direction, and he’s also joined by Peter Apfelbaum (winds, melodica, percussion, keys), Martin Bejerano (piano), and Matt Brewer (acoustic and electric bass). Together, they make for both instrumental and vocal-friendly pieces that populate this 9th album as leader for Prieto.

Travels well with: Ben Markley Big Band With Ari Hoenig- Ari’s Funhouse; Hal Galper Trio- Invitation To Openness

Bastien Keb

Organ Recital

Gearbox, 2022

10/10

Listen to Organ Recital

The 4th album from the always impressive Bastien Keb, the psychedelic-chamber-funk sounds here are conceived as a fantasy world to escape self-doubt and loneliness, and it’s a very experimental and creative peek at some of the most unclassifiable music being made today.

“The World Creaks pt. 2” opens the listen with mysterious spoken word alongside dreamy percussion and a very fantasy angled climate, and this flows into the soulful guitar and finger snapping grooves of “Pasadena”.

Further into the listen, “You Alright, Mike” offers a stylish version of pop that recruits crisp drums and a chilling ambience that will get you on the dance floor, while “Past Midnight” emits a hazy version of soulful song craft that uses wordless singing strategically,

Making our way towards the end, the abstract funk of “Sugar Badasi” warbles with unpredictable and charming ideas that showcase bass acrobatics, and “Burrowing” exits the listen with a meditative, cinematic appeal that’s calming, a bit eerie and highly eloquent.

A fascinating affair that’s tonally eclectic and stylistically exploratory, Keb blends a rare intimacy with late night adventures that will appeal to fans as wide as hip-hop, avant-garde sounds and atypical versions of indie-rock.

Travels well with: Benny Sings- City Pop; Bastien Keb- The Killing Of Eugene Peeps

Ronny Whyte

Whyte Witchcraft

Audiophile, 2019

8/10

Listen to Whyte Witchcraft

An esteemed jazz pianist who is considered a strong interpreter of Classic American Song, Ronny Whyte brings us a lengthy outing of Cy Coleman tunes, as the Cecilia Coleman Big Band and Eddie Monteiro help him flesh out the fun.

“Too Good To Talk About” starts the album with bright horns and an upbeat, smooth jazz setting as Whyte’s expressive vocals guide the tune, and this continues to the percussively strong and organ friendly “Witchcraft”, as well as soothing and flowing “Why Try To Change Me Now”.

Elsewhere, the piano work on “On Second Thought” really complements the atmosphere, while “Here I Go Again” recruits warmth and elegance in a way that parallels the greatness achieved by Sinatra. The album highlight, “I Walk A Little Faster”, mixes flutes and horns sublimely, and makes the listen even that much more glorious.

At 17 tracks, Whyte and company cover a lot of ground, where trumpets, flutes, saxophones, trombones, even accordions help breathe new life into these classic jazz tunes that one can’t help but admire.

Travels well with: Alan Rosenthal- Elbow Grease; Troy Roberts- Days Like These