Tuesday, August 20, 2013

NEW RELEASES - STEVE TURRE, JOE MCPHEE, PEDRO MARTINS

STEVE TURRE - THE BONES OF ART

This one is a really wonderful sound from trombonist Steve Turre – a set that unleashes a very hip three-trombone style in the lead, served up by a host of players who previously worked with Art Blakey! The set's way more than the usual Blakey tribute album – not just because the tunes are all originals, penned by Turre, Steve Davis, Robin Eubanks, and Frank Lacy – but also because the multi-trombone format really gives the record a fresh voice that's very different than any Jazz Messengers set – very rich and soulful, at that rare level we find in Turre's best work! The trombones have none of the hoke you might get in other sessions of this type – no attempt to hang on cliches of the JJ & Kai sound – and the strength of the record is a real testament to Steve's continuing growth as an artist. Titles include "Blue & Brown", "Slide's Ride", "Sunset", "4 & 9", "Fuller Beauty", and "Shorter Bu".  ~ Dusty Groove

JOE MCPHEE - SONIC ELEMENTS

The title really gets things right here – as Joe McPhee is in some of his most sonic territory – really working sometimes at a level that's way beyond music, yet still managing to bring a strong sense of soul to the set too! The album begins with "Episode One", dedicated to Don Cherry – and really featuring some incredible pocket trumpet work from McPhee – blown at a level that's very subtle in shape and texture, but which gains power as the track moves on. "Episode Two" is dedicated to Ornette Coleman, and features much more dynamic alto sax – handled at a level that's more tenor-like than Coleman ever would have done – with a free-flowing vibe that's really wonderful!  ~ Dusty Groove

PEDRO MARTINS - DREAMING HIGH

Pedro Martins is really soaring high here – working in these fluid waves of sound that have his guitar joining beautifully with tenor, bass, piano, and drums! The set's got a curved feel that's much warmer than the angular twists it initially presents – a way of arcing Martins' tonal colors wonderfully alongside the tenor of Josue Lopez, piano of Felipe Viegas, bass of Andre Vasconcellos, and drums of Alex Buck. The approach is hard to describe in words, but holds us rapt the minute the record begins – on titles that include "Anos Luz", "Viva O Hermeto", "Ciclo Da Vida", "Nas Nuvens", and "Sonhando Alto".  ~ Dusty Groove

No comments:

Post a Comment