NOVOX –
OVER THE HONEYMOON
ERIC ALEXANDER - CHICAGO FIRE
Recorded
at the storied Rudy Van Gelder Studios in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, Eric
Alexander's 2014 effort, Chicago Fire, finds the tenor saxophonist paying
tribute to the city that helped shape his sound and career. Having studied with
pianist and Chicago native Harold Mabern while at William Patterson College,
Alexander established himself in the Windy City after graduating in the early
'90s. He has worked with Mabern ever since and their mutual love and musical
synergy is palpable here. Also backing Alexander are his longtime compatriots
bassist John Webber and drummer Joe Farnsworth. Trumpeter and High Note
labelmate Jeremy Pelt also joins in on several cuts. As with all of Alexander's
output, Chicago Fire is a no-nonsense set of original and cover songs that
showcases his passionate, swinging, straight-ahead jazz sound. ~ Matt Collar
ERIC REED - THE ADVENTUROUS MONK
The
third in pianist Eric Reed's ongoing exploration of the music of pianist
Thelonious Monk, 2014's The Adventurous Monk is a highly engaging, deeply swinging
celebration of the bebop innovator's sound. The album follows up Reed's
previous Monk-themed albums, 2011's The Dancing Monk and 2012's The Baddest
Monk. Backing Reed here is his adept rhythm section of bassist Ben Williams and
drummer Gregory Hutchinson. Also joining Reed is tenor saxophonist Seamus
Blake, who appeared on The Baddest Monk, and vocalist Charenée Wade, who lends
her urbane, soulful style to Monk's classic "Ruby, My Dear." More
than just making a covers album or homage, Reed never fails to seize the
opportunity to truly explore the complexities and nuances of Monk's music,
endeavoring to find his own voice in the compositions. ~ Matt Collar
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