Brief Notes On New Jazz Releases

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.

Cook-Coursil-Gale-Robinson-Tintweiss: “Ave B Free Jam” – 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.

David Larsen: “Deviate From Standards” – 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: “Feel Again” – 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.