NEW RELEASES: GREG BURK – THE DETROIT SONGBOOK; JOE MAGNARELLI – MAGIC TRICK; DAVE REMPIS / MATT PIET / TIM DAISY – THROW TOMATOES

GREG BURK – THE DETROIT SONGBOOK

A beautiful love letter to the Detroit jazz scene from pianist Greg Burk – not the famous motor city jazz world of the postwar years, but a really special time in the 90s when things were a bit more underground – and when Burk spent some formative years in the city! The notes recall some amazing days of warmth and collaboration with Detroit musicians – and the music here was all composed during that time, and really sparkles with the spirit that Burk speaks of in the notes – this soulful, lyrical, immediately personal flow between his piano, the bass of Matteo Bortone, and the drums of John Arnold. The compositions are wonderful – music that will really have us paying attention to Greg's skills as a writer – and titles include "Cass & Palmer", "Jangle", "Scene Unseen", "Matins", and "Woodward Stride". ~ Dusty Groove

JOE MAGNARELLI – MAGIC TRICK

Joe Magnarelli can be one of the most explosively colorful trumpeters we know – and that's definitely the case here, as he works some beautiful magic alongside the alto of Andy Fusco and guitar of John Hart! Both players are equally imbued with hues, and weave this fantastic array of tones and colors throughout the set – especially on the few numbers that are Magnarelli originals! Joe's a player who would have been huge in the classic years of jazz recording – when his mix of technique and humanity would have grabbed many ears right away – but maybe that's also what makes a record like this so special – as it's part of a continuing statement of individuality from a player that only the few in the know can really appreciate. The group also features Ben Wolfe on bass and Byron Landon on drums – and titles include "Magic Trick", "Theme For Ernie", "2nd Anniversary", "Vercelli", "Akira's Riff", and a nice take on "Along Came Betty". ~ Dusty Groove

DAVE REMPIS / MATT PIET / TIM DAISY – THROW TOMATOES

Two fantastic improvisations from the Chicago scene – both featuring the well-known talents of Dave Rempis on saxes and Tim Daisy on drums – plus the rising genius of Matt Piet on piano! Piet's a name we've only begun to pay attention to – but his bold sense of freedom here really seems to drive the proceedings on even more strongly than we might have guessed – with an urgency that really sets Rempis on fire, who then seems to do the same to the trio – while Daisy balanced beautifully between more sensitive percussion and a full-on attack of the drum kit. Titles include "To Play Is The Thing" and "The Thousand Natural Shocks". ~ Dusty Groove