New Orleans High Society
1718, 2020
9/10
Listen to New Orleans High Society
This debut album from New Orleans High Society showcases the outfit’s vast talent, as they interpret New Orleans standards where many genres are touched upon and delivered with their firm jazz template at the core of the listen.
“Down By The Riverside” starts the listen with marching band style drumming before highly memorable brass enters alongside soulful vocals from Cleveland Donald on the melodic opener, and “New Orleans” follows with lively percussion in the rhythmic and indeed New Orleans spirited affair.
Near the middle, “Ice Cream” flows with incredible horn acrobatics amid smooth singing and a punchy climate that will get your body groovin’, while “On The Sunny Side Of The Street” recruits Yacine Sebti’s piano for a stylish and glorious display of timeless beauty. “When It’s Sleepy Time Down South”, a late album highlight, then brings in guest Angie Z, who contributes sublime vocals on the slow burning and exciting 7 minutes.
“That’s A Plenty” and “Lil’ Liza Jane” exit the listen, where the former moves swiftly with playful interplay between the brass, and the latter benefits greatly from frisky percussion and Stephen Bohnstengel’s bouncy bass as David Bode’s saxophone bouts align perfectly with the gospel friendly vocals.
Amazingly, New Orleans High Society had only been playing together for a bit over 18 months before recording this exceptional first album. With this kind of chemistry, you’d think they’d have years- if not decades- under their belt, and it results in one of the best jazz endeavors of the year.
Travels well with: Doxas Brothers- The Circle; Rebecca Hennessy- All The Little Things You Do