Secret Message
Circle 9, 2024
9/10
The drummer Joe Syrian is joined by a large cast for these 8 creative interpretations that span legends as diverse as the Beatles and Stevie Wonder.
“Bye Bye Blackbird” opens the listen with Tim Ries’ animated tenor sax and Nick Marchionne’s lively trumpet that complement the rich rhythm section and Syrian’s agile drumming, and “Star Eyes” follows with Adam Birnbaum’s precise keys amid the frisky drums and Lorin Cohen’s playful bass.
Further along, “People Make The World Go Round” welcomes Kenny Washington’s inimitable pipes and Luisito Quintero’s worldly percussion, while “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing” recruits plenty of Big Band ideas via the colorful brass and Carl Maraghi’s sax prowess.
“Night And Day” and “I Should Care” exit the listen. The former makes great use of Dave Riekendberg’s smooth tenor sax and Doug Beaver’s strategic trombone, and the latter is textured, meticulous and timeless jazz that is so well done, it alone is worth the price of admission.
A record where each track brings new ideas to the table, Syrian and crew put a fresh coat of paint on already great songs that sure do resonate well there.
Travels well with: Randy Weistein- Harmonimonk; Jake Hertzog- Longing To Meet You