New Music Releases: Mammal Hands, The Royal Bopsters, Etuk Ubong

Mammal Hands | "Captured Spirits"

Maybe the strongest record so far from Mammal Hands – a set that really has the group growing in their sense of tone and color, and in the unique timing they bring to their tunes! The group is a trio, but not in a mode that you might be guessing – because next to the piano of Nick Smart, and drums of Jesse Barrett, there's also a range of instruments from Jordan Smart – tenor, soprano sax, bass clarinet, and electronics – all used in these shifting ways with the really fresh rhythms from Barrett, and these flowing chains of acoustic piano soul from Smart – cresting, dipping, turning, and soaring with a really majestic sensibility! Titles include "Floating World", "Spiral Stair", "Ithaca", "Chaser", "Late Bloomer", "Riddle", "Rhizome", "Shoreless", and "Versus Shapes". ~ Dusty Groove

The Royal Bopsters | "Party Of Four"

Party of Four, the sophomore release from renowned vocal jazz quartet The Royal Bopsters is a twelve-track cornucopia of delightful and sophisticated harmonic treasures that celebrate both the proud history and the bright future of vocal jazz. A master class in the art of vocal jazz and vocalese, Party of Four demonstrates the dazzling possibilities of four voices coming together as one. Bopsters Amy London, Dylan Pramuk, Pete McGuinness, and the late Holli Ross (to whom the album is dedicated) are joined by guest lead vocalists, NEA Jazz Master Sheila Jordan (91 years young) who delivers a delightful rendition of "Lucky to Be Me" and NEA Jazz Master Bob Dorough, whose humorous recording of his classic "Baby, You Should Know It" became one of his final recordings when he sadly passed in 2018. Six-time GRAMMY®-winning bassist Christian McBride also guests on two strong tracks.

Etuk Ubong | "Night Dreamer Direct To Disc Sessions"

Trumpeter Etuk Ubong leads a mighty heavy combo here – a righteous group that mixes together Nigerian roots and spiritual jazz – a blend that's very different than anything we've ever heard before – and which maybe puts Ubong's music in the same territory as some of the South African jazz greats from decades past! Ubong's not afraid to sing with the group, too – and alternates between his instrument and occasional vocals in a lineup that has lots of percussion and drums at the core – with added horns, bass, and a bit of keyboards – plus guest vocals from Bahghi Yemane – whose style is a nice contrast to Ubong's. The main focus is on righteous grooves and soaring solos – bold trumpet lines over some fast modal rhythms, on titles that include "Mass Corruption", "Spiritual Change", "Purpose Of Creation", "African Struggle", and "Africa Today". ~ Dusty Groove