Thursday, April 14, 2016

NEW MUSIC: MARCUS STRICKLAND – NIHIL NOVI; THE POWER QUINTET – HIGH ART; ATLANTIS JAZZ ENSEMBLE – OCEANIC SUITE

MARCUS STRICKLAND – NIHIL NOVI

The reed talents of Marcus Strickland hit the sound of the new Blue Note – with wonderful results! The album was produced by Meshell Ndegeocello, and has a much more electric vibe than some of Marcus' other records – an angular, snakey sort of groove that really shows Meshell's influence – and which gives Strickland's performances an edge that they don't always have! Ndegeocello plays bass on some tracks – with those dark tones we really love in her jazz work – but the key musical partner here seems to be trumpeter Keyon Harrold, who brings that flow to the music that we love on his own Blue Note album too. The set also features some keyboards and organ from Mitch Henry, some guest Fender Rhodes from Robert Glasper, and drums from Charles Haynes – plus some guest vocals on three tracks by Jean Baylor. Titles include "Tic Toc", "Inevitable", "Sissoko's Voyage", "Mantra", "Mingus", "Celestelude", "Truth", "Mirrors", "The Chant", "Alive", and "Talking Loud".  ~ Dusty Groove

THE POWER QUINTET – HIGH ART

The cover might look a bit old fashioned, but the groove here is very contemporary – served up by an excellent combo of very important players from the east coast scene – trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, vibist Steve Nelson, pianist Danny Grissett, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Bill Stewart! All musicians have a fair bit of years under their belt, but haven't lost their sharpness at all – and work together here in a warmly collaborative space that really befits the leader-less nature of the record – as the focus shifts effortlessly between all the strengths they can bring to the record – that marvelous tone that Pelt's developed in recent years, those sublime chromes from Nelson's vibes, Grissett's great way of blocking out a tune, the solid swing of Stewart, and the always soulful sounds of Washington on bass. Most numbers are originals by members of the group – and titles include "Look At Here"," Heard's Word", "Sage", "Mr Wiggleworm", "Ascona", and "Tincture".  ~ Dusty Groove

ATLANTIS JAZZ ENSEMBLE – OCEANIC SUITE

A wonderful record from a really timeless group – a contemporary combo, but one who play in the best spiritual jazz modes of the 70s – in a way that really lives up to the vintage vibe of the album's cover! These guys have a long, flowing approach to their tunes – building them up with modal energy that rings out with some great Fender Rhodes alongside the bass and drums – and with basslines that are especially strong, and keep a pulse that seems to allow all the other musicians a great amount of creative freedom, while still hanging onto a groove! Zakari Frantz plays some wonderful alto sax – often with the soaring, soulful qualities of a tenor – and the group also features bold trumpet lines from Ed Lister, Fender Rhodes from Pierre Chretien, bass from Alex Bilodeau, and drums from Mike Essourdy. The first we've ever heard from this group – but we'll bet we'll be hearing more soon! Titles include "Pillars Of Hercules", "Ebb & Flow", "Blue Nile", "Agean Mist", and "Leviathan".  ~ Dusty Groove


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