A Fresh Perspective
Self-Released, 2021
9/10
It’s been 8 years since Ian Charleton has graced us with new music, and he makes the wait worth it by bringing his 18 piece big band to ten tracks of originals and interpretations that showcase his unparalleled swing talent in spades.
“West 67th Street” starts the listen with playful keys from Bart Kuebler as John Lloyd’s well timed trombone accents the upbeat and timeless swing jazz climate, and “Sunday Morning” follows with Kerry Moffit’s agile flugelhorn working elegantly with Ryan Persaud’s bass and Kuebler’s keys in the soothing, breezy formula.
In the middle, “Everything I’ve Got”, one of the two tracks with vocals, recruits Emily Charleton’s colorful and commanding pipes amid Moffit’s trumpet in the glorious, festive setting, while “Stardust” moves with an emotive and nearly meditative quality that benefits greatly from Moffit’s flugelhorn. “Blues Skies”, one of the album’s best, then showcases Keith Philbrick’s tenor sax prowess as Emily displays her exceptional vocal range in the waltz atmosphere.
Near the end, “When Sunny Gets Blue” will have you searching for your dancing shoes as Lloyd’s trombone and Philbrick’s sax weave in and out of plenty of Latin rhythm, and the aptly titled “Party On Park” finishes the listen with Wes Wagner’s guitar, David Fatek’s baritone sax, Kuebler’s keys and Persaud’s bass all working together with much melody in 6/4 time on the bluesy conclusion.
Charleton’s adoration of the big band tradition goes back many decades, and he even started penning his own compositions at age 15. Now well into his 40’s, he’s led Navy bands on five continents, and, as evidenced by this strong effort, is making some of the best modern swing sounds that exists today.
Travels well with: The TNEK Jazz Quintet- Plays The Music Of Sam Jones ; Schapiro 17- Human Qualities