Newtown
Self-Released, 2025
9/10
A basement outfit who began during the Covid lockdown, Steven Bryant speadheads the jazz and folk spirited Red 123, and these 8 tracks sure are fleshed out superbly.
The rich and warm title track begins with Bryant’s radiant guitar amid Tom Cottone’s precise drumming and David Anthony’s well timed percussion, and “There Will Be A Day” follows with a calm mood, where Digba Ogunbiyi’s elegant piano adds much to the melody.
In the middle, “7 Wonders” benefits from Coby McCorry’s well timed upright bass and Rob Tanico’s fluid organ pad, while “Blue Gray” has Bryant also handling strings across the elegant and breezy album highlight.
Residing near the end, “A Change For Cody” is both intimate and adventurous, where the meticulous guitar is complemented by a dreamy mood, and “Wichita Lineman” exits with Rob Paparozzi’s subtle harmonica blending into the mesmerizing and dynamic finish.
Bryant’s finger acrobatics are nothing short of stunning here, and the songs bring to mind the greatness achieved by Metheny and Frisell, where emotion, desire and longing are all part of the timeless delivery.
Travels well with: The Furgos- Retrospective; Hollaway- Jazz-ish