People
Know You Know, 2022
9/10
The robust vocalist Hinda Hoffman brings along Chris Foreman (Hammond organ), Greg Rockingham (drums), Greg Ward (saxophone) and Lee Rothenberg (guitar), i.e. Soul Message, for this lively, adventurous jazz outing.
“All Of You” gets the listen off to a lively start, where Hoffman’s soulful pipes and the firm organ presence make for a timeless jazz opener that showcases Ward’s fluid sax prowess, and “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” follows with Rockingham’s precise drumming adding much to the powerful landscape.
Moving down the line, the moody organ of “Please Send Someone To Love” lends itself to intimate as well as busy bouts, while “Get Out Of Town” is layered with rhythmic, groove friendly song craft that will sound just as great 50 years from now.
Closer to the end, “Old Devil Moon” showcases Lee Rothenberg’s smooth guitar lines amid the key acrobatics and bright sax, and “Angel Eyes” exits with a swift and chaotic display of controlled free jazz exploration where all the members put their inimitable skills front and center at some point.
This is first time Hoffman and Soul Message have worked together, and let’s hope it isn’t the last, cause it’s some of the best modern vocal-jazz that exists today.
Travels well with: Bill O’Connell- A Change Is Gonna Come; The Adam Larson Trio- With Love, From Chicago