Al Foster - Inspirations
& Dedications
A great
little session from drummer Al Foster – a musician who's name doesn't always
show up on records as a leader, but which always gets our attention when it
does! And this time around, Foster definitely lives up to that attention – as
he delivers a set that's crackling with tight, unusual rhythms – very much the
sort that made him a player to watch right from the start, and which makes his
role as a leader so compelling – especially when matched here by top-shelf work
from Jeremy Pelt on trumpet, Dayna Stephens on tenor, Adam Birnbaum on piano,
and Doug Weiss on bass! Pelt and Stephens really bring out some unusual moments
here – given great rhythmic inspiration by Al, who also contributed a number of
wonderful tunes to the set too – sometimes short, sometimes long – really with
a sense of variety that really matches his energy on the drums. Tracks include
"Douglas", "Brandyn", "Our Son", "Song For
Monique", "Jazzon", "Bonnie Rose",
"Jean-Pierre", "Samba De Michelle", and "Simone's
Dance". ~ Dusty Groove
Aldorande - Aldorande
A jazz funk
killer from Aldorande – a French quartet that features some mighty nice
keyboards from Florian Pellissier, who we also really love on his own
recordings too! The style here is different than those, though – very tight
rhythms with a slightly cosmic core – almost jazz funk taking things back from
the broken beat generation, finding a way to move with energy learned from that
scene, but in a style that's more cohesively funky – classic and contemporary
at the same time! The group get a bit of help from added horns at points, and
there's also a bit of vocals on the set too – but the main energy comes from
the fantastic mix of keyboards and rhythms at the core. Titles include
"Praia Do Destino", "Rayon Vert", "Because Of
You", "La Fin Est Un Commencement", "Beauty Island",
and "Sous La Lune". ~ Dusty Groove
Ryan Keberle
& Catharsis - The Hope I Hold
Very
far-reaching music from Ryan Keberle – sounds that feel as if they're coming
from a group that's much larger than a quintet – given all the many musical
elements and inflections in the mix! The album's initial inspiration comes from
a Langston Hughes poem entitled "Let America Be America Again" – and
there's definitely a spirit of change throughout, and a positive one at that –
flowing from the leader's shifting work on trombone, Fender Rhodes, piano, and
keyboards – and given a fuller vision with the tenor of Scott Robinson, bass of
Jorge Roeder, and drums of Eric Doob – all of whom come into really wonderful
focus when Camila Meza makes her appearance on vocals. Meza also plays guitar,
with a wonderful sense of color – and titles include "Tangled In The
Ancient Endless Chain", "Campinas", "Become The
Water", "Peering", "para Volar", "Zamba De
Lozano", and "Despite The Dream". ~ Dusty Groove
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