Music has been helping many of us handle these strange
and infuriating times when a certain twisted segment of the population is
becoming more stupid and more violent, and justice seems always to remain
several steps away. Every day I am thankful for the musicians who are
continuing to release excellent songs and albums, reminding us that humanity and
compassion still exist. Here are notes on a few new jazz releases you might
want to check out.
Marcos Ariel:
“Piano Blossoms” – This beautiful solo album from pianist Marcos Ariel
takes its inspiration from the native flowers of Brazil, as well as the flowers
of Los Angeles, where he has been a part-time resident for more than two
decades. This album features all original material, composed and produced by
Marcos Ariel. It begins with “Passionflower,” a pretty and gentle piece that is
also contemplative and somber, as if part observation, part memory. It’s
followed by “Narcissus,” named after the spring perennial also known as the
daffodil. This one begins in a darker spot, but slowly unfolds, as if coming
awake and reaching up. Then “Bougainvillea” also seems to come partly from
memory, from a past viewed with fondness and perhaps reverence. “Lavender” is a
hopeful piece, soothing our fears and worries, like a soft touch on our cheek
or shoulder, and is one of my personal favorite tracks. That’s followed by
“Chrysanthemum,” a warm and loving piece that seems to hold us in a safe
embrace. “Orchid” has a more forceful sound as it starts, taking us to an
interesting place. The album then concludes with “Calla Lily,” named after one
of Marcos Ariel’s granddaughters as well as the flower. It is a gorgeous and
affectionate piece. This album was released on September 17, 2021.
– If you are looking for a loose, wild jazz jam, this is
the album for you. Recorded on May 12, 1967 in an apartment in New York City,
this album is one long improvisational piece, nearly an hour and nineteen
minutes long, with just a couple of brief pauses (such as at the end of track
18). It is divided into twenty-one tracks, just to make revisiting a certain
section easier (among my favorites are tracks 6, 9, 10, 18, and 19), but really
it is designed to be listened to straight through. Enjoy the ride. The
musicians are Laurence Cook on drums, Jacques Coursil on trumpet, Warren Gale
on trumpet, Perry Robinson on bass clarinet, and Steve Tintweiss on bass. All
talented folks captured here near the beginning of their careers. The music is
exciting and raw, the musicians exploring, going in interesting directions,
while also listening to each other to keep things from dropping into utter
chaos. We have Steve Tintweiss to thank for this album, as he is the one who
recorded it in 1967, and he is the one releasing it on his Inky Dot Media label
now. He’s been dipping into the archives lately, last year putting out Judy
Stuart’s
The Apostolic Session and earlier this year releasing
MarksTown from The Purple Why. I’m excited to hear what
other releases might be in the works. This album is scheduled to be released on
November 30, 2021.
Nicole Henry:
“Time To Love Again” – Talented vocalist Nicole Henry delivers standards
and pop songs on her new album. She opens it with “Feeling Good,” which begins
with the beat, and for a time features just drums supporting her voice. “
It’s a new dawn, a new day, a new life for
me/And I am feeling good.” Oh yes! And hearing her sing, the rest of us
might believe in a new dawn for ourselves and the world at large, and that is
enough to make any of us feel good. Besides, this track features some really
good work by Pete Wallace on piano. And then the song has a powerful and strong
ending that will completely own your attention. And that’s just the first track.
It’s followed by a smooth and cool rendition of “Midnight At The Oasis” that
features Gregoire Maret on harmonica, and then a good rendition of James
Taylor’s “Your Smiling Face” that features John Michalak on tenor saxophone and
takes on a delicious energy approximately halfway through. I’m not a big fan of
Sade, but I love what Nicole Henry does with “Is It A Crime?” The track begins
with her vocals supported by Eric England on acoustic bass, and there is
something seductive about that section, something sensual, pulling me in. She
also delivers an excellent rendition of “Wild Is The Wind,” one you can just
lose yourself in, featuring Troy Roberts on tenor saxophone. The album
concludes with a fun and bright number, Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed,” leaving us
in a good place emotionally and mentally. And isn’t that just exactly what we
need? This album was released on October 15, 2021.
– As saxophonist and composer David Larsen
mentions in the album’s liner notes,
Deviate
From Standards began as a way for him to continue making music even as the
pandemic shut down concert venues. Clearly it also helped him remain upbeat
during a difficult time, for this music swings and grooves, at times feeling
like the soundtrack to a movie you want to escape to. Such is the case with its
opening number, “A New Thing Comin’,” with David Larsen joined by Greg
Yasinitsky on saxophone, the track creating a cool, positive atmosphere, taking
us to a place where there is action and charm, where we know the angles, know
just what moves to make. Then check out that work by Danny McCollim on keys on
“Smoke Screen.” The album contains all original material, composed by David Larsen.
Ken Peplowski provides some wonderful work on clarinet on “Augmented Reality,”
and I love that conversation between the instruments toward the end. The music
does enter a mellower, more reflective place with “Family.” I think most
everyone came to place a greater emphasis on family during the pandemic, as
people reevaluated their priorities. “See You At 8” imagines a time and place
when folks are able to get together and enjoy themselves. We are now
re-entering this place, but for a long time it felt like we’d never get there. “Into
The Light” creates a cheerful place, a friendly place, a place we long to dwell.
The music on this disc feels like it is welcoming us back to the world. It
feels good to be back, doesn’t it? This album was released on October 1, 2021.
– Elena Maque is a singer, saxophonist and composer who adds
elements of pop and funk to jazz on her debut album,
Feel Again. The album features mostly original material, along with
Elena Maque’s own interpretations of three very well-known covers. Joining her
on this release are Scott Kinsey on piano and organ, Hadrien Feraud on bass,
Gary Novak on drums, Leonardo Amuedo on guitar, and Brad Dutz on percussion,
along with guests on various tracks. The album opens with an original song,
“Hey Friend,” which begins with some cool, kind of funky work on guitar, and a
strong, prominent groove. There is a friendly, bright vibe to her voice that is
appealing. Then partway through, we get some good stuff on saxophone. That’s
followed by a wonderful rendition of “Lover Man,” featuring an excellent vocal
performance that is sexy and yet contains that element of longing. And I dig
that work on keys. The album also includes covers of Jobim’s “The Girl From
Ipanema” and The Beatles’ “And I Love Her” (though she does change the gender
of the loved one to male in the latter song’s lyrics). The album’s title track
is a fun number with something of a pop style and energy, and some cool work on
bass. “
Because every time I hear your
voice/I realize I have no choice/But let your love take over me.” But it is
that great work on saxophone that really stands out. A highlight for me is
“Weightless,” even though it doesn’t feature Elena Maque’s voice. This
instrumental track is beautiful and contains some moving and expressive work on
saxophone. I also love “Chance,” the way it begins as a lullaby, then suddenly
springs to life, and with David Lange’s work on accordion, takes on a European
flavor. This album was released on November 19, 2021.
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