Wednesday, March 11, 2015

NEW RELEASES: FREDDIE REDD – MUSIC FOR YOU; CHARLES MCPHERSON – THE JOURNEY; JACK WALRATH – UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED

FREDDIE REDD – MUSIC FOR YOU

A great set from this under-recorded piano legend – a relaxed, easygoing session that has Freddie Redd set up in trio formation with Jay Anderson on bass and Billy Drummond on drums! All tracks are nice and long, and played with this open, flowing touch by Freddie – really stretching out on familiar tunes, at a level that's more lyrical and warm than some of his earliest bop material – and which really has a personal, expressive quality – even in some of the more subtle moments. Anderson and Drummond are a good team for the set – tight and swinging, but respectful too – and titles include "I'll Remember April", "Perdido", "Lover Man", "There Will Never Be Another You", "All The Things You Are", and the original "Blues For You".  ~ Dusty Groove

CHARLES MCPHERSON – THE JOURNEY

More of a collaborative effort than a solo journey by altoist Charles McPherson – as the saxophone legend works here with Denver pianist Chip Stephens, on a recording that may well be one of Charles' freshest in years! McPherson's always been a player to keep our ears on – great at the start, then evolving over the decades into a constantly changing, constantly growing artist – especially in the right setting. And the group here is definitely that setting – a quintet that also includes Keith Oxman on tenor, whose instrument seems to unlock some of McPherson's most tenor-like phrasing – that deeper than usual style that Charles brings to his instrument at the best moments, with a wonderfully expressive, soulful feel. Tunes include a lot of originals by members of the group – and titles include "The Decathexis From Youth", "Elena", "Manhattan Nocturne", "The Journey", "Tami's Tune", and "Bud Like".  ~ Dusty Groove

JACK WALRATH – UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED

Jack Walrath just keeps on growing and growing as a musician – a hell of a trumpeter for the past few decades, but also a great writer too – with a fresh approach to a tune that really keeps things interesting! This set may well be one of Walrath's best in years – a soulful quintet outing that has some especially nice tenor from Abraham Burton, who brings some darker tones to the record – and has this way of sharpening Walrath's horn too – as the pair step out in the lead over some of Jack's inventive compositions, then stretch out individually in well-phrased solos. The rhythm trio keeps just the right for each individual track – sometimes sprightly, but never too playful – sometimes more laidback, and nicely mellow. George Burton plays piano, Boris Kozlov plays bass, and Donald Edwards is on drums – and titles include "End The Beguine", "Why Not", "Bobby Timmons", "Unsafe At Any Speed", and "Happiness Really Is A Warm Puppy". ~ Dusty Groove


No comments:

Post a Comment