Brief Notes On New Jazz Releases

I’ve decided to take a break from watching the news and instead spend more time listening to music, a decision which immediately made me feel lighter. Sometimes you just know exactly what you need, and your body responds. Here are brief notes on a few new jazz albums you might want to check out.

Franglais: “Pairings” – Franglais is normally a quartet performing both standards and originals. However, this particular album features just the core duo of that group, the husband and wife team of Ben Wood on guitar and Eve Seltzer on vocals. They began creating duo arrangements during the pandemic when the clubs were closed and social distancing was recommended, and this album is the result. By the way, there is another level to the album’s title, as the liner notes offer suggestions of alcohol that could be paired with each song, reminding me that I need a fuller bar at home. The album opens with a delightful rendition of “Too Close For Comfort,” featuring a strong vocal performance that includes a good deal of scat. It is a bright and lively performance. The alcohol suggested as a pairing with this song: “Any Red Wine from the Rhone.” That’s followed by “I’m Old Fashioned,” and while we listen to this rendition, we can be proud of some of our own old-fashioned sensibilities. “This year’s fancies/Are passing fancies/But sighing sighs, holding hands/These my heart understands.” Ah, yes. And I do hope that most of the current fancies are passing, and passing quickly. Eve Seltzer delivers scat on this track too, her voice used as an instrument to fill out the sound. Then we are treated to an original number, “I Don’t Wanna Sing,” written by Eve Seltzer. Its opening lines will speak to most folks: “I don’t want to check my in-box/I’m tired of reading bad news.” This is a good bluesy tune that features some cool work on guitar, particularly that solo in the middle. “‘Cause I’m out of motivation/And there’s nothing new left to say.” And I love the guitar work on “Joseph Joseph,” this track one of the album’s highlights, it also featuring a wonderful vocal performance. That’s followed by another original composition by Eve Seltzer, “Lune De Miel,” in which she sings, “Wine glasses under the awning” and “Tonight we’ll raise up a glass.” So what alcohol is recommended to enjoy with this one? “Loire Red.” Sounds right. Eve Seltzer also adds some of her own lyrics to “Stolen Moments,” the duo delivering a wonderful rendition. Actually, two renditions, for this disc concludes with another version, this one on acoustic guitar. Another highlight is their take on “This Time The Dream’s On Me,” for the joy you can hear from both of them. And, yes, there is a bit of scat on this one. Then Justin Lees and Dallas Vietty join the duo on guitar and accordion respectively for their version of Laura Nyro’s “Save The Country,” another of my personal favorites, the group becoming a quartet once more. There is an excellent instrumental section. “I got fury in my soul/Fury’s gonna take me to the glory goal/In my mind I can’t study war no more.” This album was released on March 14, 2023.

Noshir Mody: “A Love Song” – Guitarist and composer Noshir Mody’s new album contains all original compositions, pieces that reflect different aspects of the time of the pandemic. Joining him on this album are Benjamin Hankle on flugelhorn, Campbell Charshee on piano, Yuka Tadano on double bass, and Ronen Itzik on drums, with Kate Victor on vocals on one track. “What Tomorrow May Bring” establishes a catchy rhythm at the beginning, one that seems to promise good things, immediately giving us a sense of optimism with regard to the future, that things will be all right, that life will not stop. The movement of the rhythm promises us as much. And Noshir Mody’s guitar work adds to that sense of optimism, of hope, and even of joy. I absolutely love that guitar part, particularly that initial section, which I ended up listening to over and over because of the feeling it produced in me. The piano and flugelhorn then join, and there is a beauty to the music. Things have been so uncertain, but the music here says that even that uncertainty is okay. Then “The Yards” has its own particular sense of beauty, seeming to be about using the time to take a closer look at the places we pass regularly and finding beauty in those surroundings. The pandemic gave us the time to become better acquainted with our own neighborhoods. This piece feels like a new morning in some ways, finding a new appreciation of familiar places. There is no rush here. But there are surprises, as when the drums take over in the second half. I was not expecting such great and prominent percussion on this tune. That’s followed by “Mystic,” which Noshir Mody begins on guitar. There is beauty here too, beauty with a sense of the past, with strong voices reaching out to join the present, perhaps even to mold the present, heard especially the flugelhorn. “In The Absence Of Answers” has my favorite title of any track on this album, and as it begins on guitar and bass, there is a sense of fun about it, as if to say not to worry too much about the lack of answers. The tone does become more serious, but remains pleasant, encouraging us to relax. I particularly enjoy the work on piano. The album concludes with its title track, which is the track to feature Kate Victor’s vocals. It begins with some gentle and loving guitar work. Here are the song’s first lines: “Step into the rain, my love/To write a love song/You need to live, love and lose.” The warmth of her delivery and the energy of the music pull us in and unite us. This track also features some really good work on guitar, and toward the end, the song builds in power, swelling up from within. This album was released on May 26, 2023.

Anthony E. Nelson, Jr.: “Swinging Sunset” – Saxophonist and composer Anthony E. Nelson, Jr. pays tribute to classic organ trios on his new album, Swinging Sunset. Joining the tenor saxophone player are Kyle Koehler on organ and Cecil Brooks III on drums. There are both covers and original compositions on this disc. The album opens with a totally enjoyable rendition of Eddie Heywood’s “Canadian Sunset” that gently swings and grooves and features some sweet work on saxophone. And partway through, Anthony E. Nelson, Jr. gets looser and his saxophone begins to get lively. Kyle Koehler then takes over, matching that higher energy on organ. The jam continues, but the track begins to fade out. Interestingly, more of the jam is included as a separate track, easing back in where the first track left off, and titled “One More Once,” an original piece. It too fades out, leaving me wanting even more. Anthony E. Nelson, Jr. then gives us a cool take on Neal Hefti’s “Girl Talk.” I particularly like it when the saxophone begins to really fly. That’s followed by an original number titled “Uno Mas Por Roberto,” a catchy tune that features some soulful playing and a delicious beat. This is one of my personal favorites. Kyle Koehler then begins “These Foolish Things” with a brief organ solo, setting the tone. This track has a beautiful late-night feel, and the work on saxophone is particularly moving, helping to make this another of the disc’s highlights. The band changes gears for “Minor Chant,” which is a whole lot of fun and also incredibly cool. This track has me smiling immediately, with its confidence and attitude and joy. Yes, it’s another favorite of mine. Everything about this track works perfectly. Then Cecil Brooks III sets “Mildew” in motion with his drum intro, and the track gets cooking, the great beat remaining at its center. There is even a drum solo toward the end, so I love this track. Another fun track is the trio’s rendition of “Three Little Words,” Anthony E. Nelson, Jr. delivering some delicious work on sax. This track also contains a drum solo. They then slow things down for the soulful, bluesy “Walk With Me,” which features a cool lead on organ and then some powerful moments on saxophone. The album concludes with an original composition, “Last Call (For Gryce),” a wonderful blues number written in honor of Tommy Gryce. This album is scheduled to be released on June 9, 2023.

The Pacific Jazz Group: “The Pacific Jazz Group” – This group is made up of Dred Scott on piano, Eric Crystal on tenor saxophone, John Wiitala on bass, and Smith Dobson on drums. They take their name in honor of the Pacific Jazz Records label, and celebrate some of the artists who recorded for that label, focusing on the work of Gerry Mulligan. The album opens with “Bernie’s Tune,” a piece written by Bernie Miller, and popularized by Gerry Mulligan’s recording. The music here is seriously cool, with a strong sense of fun. The piano has a great feeling of freedom, and the bass and drums are cooking along. The saxophone comes at you without worry, but with just the joy of playing. There is a delightful spirit to the playing. “Bernie’s Tune” is followed by “Maid In Mexico,” a tune composed by Russ Freeman, and recorded by Chet Baker Quartet on Pacific Jazz. It opens with some nice percussion, and feels like a day at some wonderful beach resort, shirt unbuttoned, drink in hand, light breeze keeping you cool, and no obligations whatsoever. Ah, what could be better than to approach your life like a casual dance? Then they give us “Line For Lyons,” the first of four compositions by Gerry Mulligan. The saxophone eases us along the road, again with no sense of hurry, feeling relaxed and cheerful. The rhythm section, meanwhile, keeps things lively. The piano is what makes the trip interesting, making sure we take in some of extraordinary sights. And in the second half, we are treated to a lead on bass, as well as some short drum solos. That’s followed by “Casa De Luz,” written by Shorty Rogers, and included on a 1955 album he recorded with Bud Shank and Bill Perkins on Pacific Jazz. This one feels like a cool party, where everyone is mingling, smiling, drinking, dancing, the piano leading the dance and the merriment, the saxophone then taking over halfway through. But it is the percussion that keeps my toes tapping. The last three tracks were all composed by Gerry Mulligan, beginning with “Festive Minor.” Pacific Jazz Group does an absolutely wonderful job with this tune. Why can’t life always feel like this, always sound like this? Then “Nights At The Turntable” has good vibes from its start, featuring some excellent work on saxophone and a seriously cool bass line. And they wrap things up with “Utter Chaos,” possibly the coolest track on the disc. I just can’t get enough of this one. This album is scheduled to be released on June 23, 2023.

Gaea Schell: “In Your Own Sweet Way” – Gaea Schell is a pianist, flutist, singer and composer. Her new album features mostly original material. Joining her on this disc are Jordan Samuels on guitar, John Wiitala on bass, and Greg Wyser-Pratte on drums, with a couple of guests on certain tracks. The album opens with “Cava dell’Isola,” which begins with a pretty section, the flute supported by guitar. Then, after a minute or so, the guitar leads the transition into the main body of the piece, the bass and drums coming in, and Gaea Schell switching from flute to piano (though at one point toward the end, she goes back to flute for a nice lead). Carlos Caro joins the group on percussion. There is a light, carefree vibe to this piece, and Jordan Samuels delivers some excellent work on guitar. That’s followed by “Sweet & Lovely,” the first of three covers on this album. This one has such a great feel about it, a tune to get you smiling and swaying, maybe dancing. It features a delicious drum solo, helping it become one of my favorite tracks. Gaea Schell switches gears with “Forio Rain,” which features some warm, beautiful piano work. I just want to close my eyes and let this music carry me along like a gentle river or breeze. Carlos Caro returns on percussion for “El Picacho,” and Marco Diaz joins the group on both trumpet and piano. This one eases in with some pretty, yet somber work on piano, before kicking in to become a fun piece, the flute and trumpet working together early on, and the rhythm getting your body to move. The album’s second cover, and first track to feature vocals, is “It Had To Be You.” This rendition is a delight, with some really nice phrasing. Gaea Schell puts her own spin on this song. I dig that section with bass and drums. And I love the warmth and the soothing vibe of “Summer Sea.” Don’t we all need music that will transport us, as this track does? That’s followed by a cover of Dave Brubeck’s “In Your Own Sweet Way,” the album’s title track, with lyrics added by Gaea Schell. “In your own sweet way/You took my hands in your embrace.” As you might expect, there is plenty of great stuff on piano. This track also features a good lead on bass. Carlos Caro then joins her once again on percussion for “Luna Plateada,” a piece that feels like a romantic dance that takes place in memory, an old light in the current darkness. It’s a beautiful track. The mood remains thoughtful for “Danza Nocturna De Flores,” a pretty and moving piano piece. Keeping with a nighttime theme, Gaea Schell follows that with “Un Sueno De La Noche,” which has a gentle vibe. The album concludes with “Perplexity,” which features some nice work on drums. This album is scheduled to be released on June 23, 2023.