Hot Club Of Los Angeles: “Nova” (2024) CD Review

There are certain musicians I’ve learned to pay particular attention to, and I check out any project they get involved in. One such musician is Carl Byron, who is a member of the delicious gypsy jazz band Hot Club Of Los Angeles. I caught this band earlier this month at their residency at Cinema Bar, and these guys were fantastic (that night, John McDuffie sat in for guitarist Josh Workman). At the end of the first set, my face was sore from smiling. The very next Monday, Jackson Browne sat in with them, this at a venue whose capacity is only seventy-five people (and I think even that small number could only be achieved if some folks remained in the bathroom and others stood on top of the bar). He did so again the following Monday (that night also featured Ted Russell Kamp sitting in on bass). I wish I could have attended those two shows, but I had to be up before 4 a.m. the next day for work both times. Anyway, the band is celebrating the release of the new album, Nova, which comes out officially in January, but which has been available at the Cinema Bar shows this month. The disc features a good mix of original material and covers. The band is made up of Josh Workman on guitar; Jake Bluenote on guitar, banjo, mandolin and vocals; Carl Byron on accordion, piano, organ, pan-pipes, ocarina and vocals; Paul Eckman on bass; and Jim Doyle on drums and percussion.

The album opens with an original composition by Carl Byron, “Château 22,” and immediately the good vibes and groove will have you in a better mood. That guitar work in particular will have your spirits dancing around the room, and the percussion will give them some direction. In the track’s second half, there is a cool section where everything slows down, and there is an almost haunted feel to it. But it isn’t long before the pace begins to pick up again, and it is like we are caught up in some glorious celebration that the entire universe could take part in. That’s followed by a cover of “Čaje Šukarije,” featuring a strong vocal performance by Jake Bluenote, with the others responding. Everything is in motion here, and those backing vocals are like a call for us to join in. This is just so damn good, delivered with a passion that you feel with your entire body.

“Bossa Lola” is an original composition by Josh Workman, featuring a wonderful bossa nova rhythm, and a catchy melody. As with all of the tracks by this group, this one features some impressive playing. I especially love that piano work. This track also features a good lead on bass, and of course there is plenty of great stuff on guitar. “Valselona” is another original piece, this one composed by Carl Byron. It has a more thoughtful, introspective vibe as it begins, and features some beautiful work on accordion and some moving work on guitar. This is music you might want to immerse yourself in, and let it carry you along in its arms. The tone then changes again with “Raincloud Two-Step,” a totally delightful original number written by Jake Bluenote. If you can manage to keep from smiling while listening to this one, I suggest seeing a neurologist as soon as possible. I love that work on piano; those keys are dancing. There is a great deal of joy in the playing. We need music like this to keep us all relatively sane.

Carl Byron delivers an excellent vocal performance on the band’s rendition of “Que Reste-t-il de Nos Amours,” written by Léo Chauliac and Charles Trenet. There is an English version of this song too, titled “I Wish You Love,” but these guys give us the French version, and it has a sweet, pleasant, wonderful vibe. The energy picks up on their cover of “Belleville,” one of two Django Reinhardt numbers contained on this disc. As you might guess, this track contains some phenomenal and cheerful work on guitar. And check out that work on drums. What a joy it is to listen to this music. “Belleville” is followed by an original composition by Carl Byron, “Inference,” which has a totally cool vibe, in part because of the work on drums, particularly the hi-hat. This is a lovely number that features great stuff on both keys and guitar. And that is followed by the other Django Reinhardt tune, “Swing 42.” Again, the guitar work is certain to get you smiling, as is the accordion. Cast aside all worries and cares, and just immerse yourselves in this music. Allow it to play over you. This track contains an excellent lead on bass.

“Pompedale” is a fun, fairly fast-paced original composition by Carl Byron, featuring some catchy elements. I love the determined way this one moves. Nothing is going to get in its way. And in the second half there is a good lead on bass. That’s followed by a totally enjoyable rendition of Biréli Lagrène’s “Made In France,” featuring some fantastic work on guitar. Again, there is much joy in the song’s delivery. Then Carl Byron delivers a seriously beautiful, touching vocal performance on “Les Feuilles Mortes,” a cool track. This song, like “Que Reste-t-il de Nos Amours,” has an English version too, titled “Autumn Leaves” (instead of “Dead Leaves”), but these guys deliver the original French version. I love that work on accordion. The band continues that darker, more somber tone as “Django” begins. Then more than a minute and a half into the track, the tone and feel change, becoming lighter and livelier. That’s followed by “The Old Kingfisher,” an original number written by Jake Bluenote. This one has an uplifting vibe, feeling like a dance done in the light. It’s another piece that leaves all worries and cares behind. The band then wrap things up with a fun rendition of Nino Rota’s “Carlotta’s Galop,” a piece from Federico Fellini’s 8 ½.

CD Track List

1. Château 22
2. Čaje Šukarije
3. Bossa Lola
4. Valselona
5. Raincloud Two-Step
6. Que Reste-t-il de Nos Amours
7. Belleville
8. Inference
9. Swing 42
10. Pompedale
11. Made In France
12. Les Feuilles Mortes
13. Django
14. The Old Kingfisher
15. Carlotta’s Galop

Nova is scheduled to be released on January 26, 2024.