NEW MUSIC: THE SENIOR SERVICE – THE GIRL IN THE GLASS CASE; DOUG WEBB – BRIGHT SIDE; MAX IONATA – REWIND

THE SENIOR SERVICE – THE GIRL IN THE GLASS CASE

Mod sounds from Senior Service – a sweet set of 60s-styled instrumentals that definitely live up to the retro look of the cover – in a space between spy soundtracks, London beat styles, and the production work of Joe Meek! The combo features stunning Hammond from Jonathan P Barker, who plays with a quality that takes us back to Alan Hawkshaw on his famous sound library funk of the late 60s and early 70s – hardly beholden at all to a US soul jazz style, and instead opened up with some different tones that have much more of a mod London vibe! The rest of the group features guitar, bass, and drums – all romping in just the right sort of rhythms – and the album also features some guest trumpet, vibes, and theramin too – on titles that include "Caballo Sin Nombre", "Hit The Lip", "Psyclone", "The Intruder", "Five Beans In The Wheel", "Abandoned", and "Sons Of The Desert". ~ Dusty Groove

DOUG WEBB – BRIGHT SIDE

Doug Webb's a tenorist we're really growing to love and love more with each new record – a player who can come on with a bold, soulful punch at some moments – then carve these fluid lines at others, which he does wonderfully here alongside the organ of Brian Charette and guitar of Ed Cherry! The mix of both instruments is used in a way that's post-soul jazz – creating an open palette of colors, rhythms, and opportunities for new sorts of action – that sense of new discovery that we love so much on the later recordings of Hank Mobley, where familiar elements are reshuffled in a beautiful way – all to further the genius of the leader on tenor! Webb's playing here really lives up to that promise, and gets great help in the frontline from Joe Magnarelli on trumpet. Steve Fidyk plays drums, Charette handles the basslines on the organ – and titles include "Doctor Miles", "The Drive", "Society Al", "Silver Lining", "Lunar", "One For Hank", and "Melody For Margie". ~ Dusty Groove

MAX IONATA – REWIND

A wonderful setting for reedman Max Ionata – an album that has him working alongside some Hammond organ from Alberto Gurrisi, who really brings a soulful vibe to the album! Max is always great on other albums – and often plays with this rich tenor sound that takes us back to our favorite players of the 60s – but here, alongside the Hammond, he's especially great – and finds a way to flow like never before! The album also features Frits Landesbergen on drums and a bit of vibes – and titles include "Bob's Mood", "Drum", "The Black Hole", "Sunflower", "Chovendo Na Roseira", and "Mr GT". ~ Dusty Groove