THE INVENTIONS TRIO - LIFE'S A MOVIE
Life's a
Movie is the third project by Bill Mays' highly imaginative Inventions Trio,
and his first recording for Chiaroscuro. Featuring the versatile and impeccable
Marvin Stamm on trumpet, and the excellent young classically-trained and
vividly swinging cellist, Alisa Horn, the Inventions Trio embodies the essence
of synergy and masterful interplay that is so important to successful
"chamber" jazz. The album is centered around an imaginary soundtrack
- the title suite - that beautifully displays Mays' compositional and conceptual
skills. There is also a heartfelt tribute to the immortal Bill Evans with a
medley of four Evans' originals; a tour of Spain with the trio's version of
Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez" (which earned a permanent
place in jazz history through Miles' Sketches of Spain) and Chick Corea's own
classic "Spain," inspired by the same piece; and a three-piece medley
from the utterly unique Thelonious Monk.
JONAS KULLHAMMAR - LAT DET VARA
An
incredible step forward for reedman Jonas Kullhammar – an album that's put
together as a summation of his feelings after taking a brief break from the
recording business – but which also stands as one of his greatest moments to
date! We've always loved Jonas' music, but there's a sense of power and majesty
here that we've never heard before – at least not this clearly – an unbridled
love of jazz-based expression, served up with longtime partners Torbjorn Gulz
on piano, Torbjorn Zetterberg on bass, and Jonas Hongersson on drums. The
vibrancy of these players has been documented before on other recordings by the
quartet, but there's really something special going on here – possibly because
the album's slated to be the group's last (as might be guessed by the Let It Be
cover image), but also just because Kullhammar's tenor work is so expressive,
so personal, and at the same time, so much more straightforward than ever
before – a sound that will definitely get him the attention we've been saying
he deserves for years – one of the greatest voices on his instrument of the
past few decades. All material is played by the quartet – save for the title
track, which features a larger group with guests who include Goran Kajfes on
cornet, Per Rusktrask Johansson on alto, and Janne Kullhammar on drums – and
titles include "Alvsalavals", "KBT", "Fodelsedagen",
"Julaftonsfan", "Domedagen", and "Lat Det
Vara". ~ Dusty Groove
WEBSTER WRAIGHT ENSEMBLE - NO LUCKY DAYS
A really
stunning collaboration between Charles Webster and Peter Wraight – the former
mostly known for his house music, the latter an arranger for the Herbert big
band sessions – coming together here in a lush new sound that's totally their
own! There's an expansive feel to the record that definitely lives up to the
cover – a rich landscape of sound, but also a bit misty at times too – never
just a straight representation of Wraight's jazz and soundtrack modes, and
instead this very textured, painter-like approach to music – one that's
shimmering with beautiful tones and soulful vocals from Emilie Chick and Paul
Randolph. Webster handles the keyboards and samples, and Wraight conducts a
large group with reeds, brass, and even a bit of harp – and the record's got a
far-reaching sound that's very unique, but which might sit nicely next to
projects by Cinematic Orchestra or Chris Bowden. Titles include "A World
Of Fire", "Rise", "Storm Clouds", "Unexpected
News", "Nature & Light", and "The Ruins Of
Britain". ~ Dusty Groove
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