Jazz fans will be particularly happy heading into the long weekend (in the US) with a healthy amount of new and interesting releases in New In Music This Week: February 16th.
My top pick this week is:
JAZZ: RILEY – Riley Mulherkar – Westerlies Records
This audacious debut album from trumpeter/composer Mulherkar features two producers (Rafiq Bhatia and Chris Pattishall) surrounding the solo trumpet work of Mulherkar on a selection of originals and covers.
On his website, Mulherkar says of the album, “Our mantra was to make a record that sounds how jazz makes me feel – even if it doesn’t sound like jazz all the time.” For my ears this sounds very much like jazz all the time – but the sonic world in which it is presented offers something wholly original.
Of course, this concept only works if Mulherkar is performing at his best. And he is. I strongly recommend this album and suggest you keep an eye on Riley Mulherkar.
The rest of my picks of the best of what’s New In Music This Week: February 16th are:
CLASSICAL/FILM MUSIC: LES CHOSES DE LA VIE – CINEMA II – Renaud Capuçon – Erato
This album by violinist Capuçon is a sequel to his 2018 album Cinema. He celebrates the work of French film composers such as Georges Delerue; Alexandre Desplat; Francis Lai; Maurie Jarre; Philippe Sarde, Gabriel Yared and more.
Capuçon peforms with Les Siécles conducted by Duncan Ward. The arrangements are all quite good and some are particularly impressive. Who knew that the theme from Love Story could sound fresh. My favorite track is Jarre’s music from Lawrence of Arabia (also because it’s one of my favorite films and scores.) Desplat’s music from The Shape of Water is also a stand-out. It’s also nice to re-visit music from films like Jean de florette and Le dernier metro.
JAZZ: JONESVILLE – Acceleration Due to Gravity – Hot Cup Records
Improvised solos are at the heart of this album, the first of two being released today, from bassist/composer Moppa Elliott. This album was inspired by bassist/cellist/composer Sam Jones.
Three of the tracks are compositions by Jones; the other four are by Elliott. On this record along with Elliot are George Burton on piano; Stacy Dillard on tenor saxophone; Ava Mendoza on guitar; Matt Nelson on alto saxophone; Mike Pride on drums; Dave Taylor on trombone and Kyle Saulnier on baritone saxophone.
This is a free-style album for those who don’t want their music nice and easy as Tina Turner might say.
JAZZ: DISASTERS Vol. 2 – Advancing on a Wild Pitch – Hot Cup Records
What do the following towns have in common: Cobbs Creek; Dimoc; Donora Smog; Marcus Hook, Mud run; Powelton and Van Meter? They are all in Pennsylvania and all had major accidents and/or disasters. Thus the title of this album by bassist/composer Moppa Elliott.
The seven tracks, all written by Elliot, are named after each of the cities above. Joining him on this really interesting album are Christian Coleman on drums; Charles Evans on baritone saxophone; Danny Fox on piano and Sam Kulik on trombone. This is a more traditional album than Jonesville. The two albums combine to showcase Moppa Elliott’s versatility.
JAZZ: WONDERFUL! – Mike LeDonne – Cellar Music
Now for something completely different. Pianist/organist has some great musicians on this album: tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander; guitarist Peter Benstein and drummer Joe Farnsworth. He’s also got two guests: saxophonist Vincent Herring and percussionist Danny Sadownick.
The twist is he’s also joined by a gospel choir for the album. Obviously, the combination of an organist with a choir is nothing new. But add the other musicians on this album and you have something truly unique.
The stand-out tracks for me on this album are Lonnie’s Lament (a John Coltrane composition); Bridge Over Troubled Water (a commonly recorded song given extra life on this record) and Genesis (one of two songs written/co-written by LeDonne).
The album is a celebration of his special needs daughter whose pure joy can be found on this wonderful album’s cover.
JAZZ: PEOPLE & LOVE – Johnny Lytle – Craft Recordings/Jazz Dispensary
This marks the first time Lytle’s 1972 album is being released on vinyl. It’s an album that is definitely of its time as it carves out a jazz/soul blend of music. Lytle is front and center on the vibraphone and wrote three of the five songs on the album.
It begins with Where Is the Love before going into his originals: Libra; Family and Tawhid. The album closes with a 12 minute jam of People Make the World Go ‘Round.
Joining Lytle on the album were: Marvin Cabell on flute and saxophone; Josell Carter on drums; Bob Cranshaw on electric bass; Betty Glamann on harp; Daahoud Hadi on electric piano and organ and Arthur Jenkins Jr. on congas.
JAZZ: FOR ALL WE KNOW – Jim Snidero – Savant Records
This is a fairly straight-forward and traditional trio album from saxophonist Snider who is joined by Joe Farnsworth on drums and Peter Washington on bass. And it’s a good one.
Amongst the songs being performed are Cole Porter’s Love for Sale; Charlie Parker’s Parker’s Mood and the Rodgers and Hart standard My Funny Valentine.
Though Snidero has released several albums, this was my first introduction to his work. I plan to explore more of his recordings this weekend.
JAZZ: WORDS UNSPOKEN – John Surman – ECM
There’s a lot of talk these days about people in their late 70s and early 80s being too old for a certain address in Washington, D.C. But if you listen to reedman Surman’s new album of ten original compositions you’ll see right away what a soon-to-be 80-year-old man can accomplish.
You might think that as one gets to a certain age he/she might take things a little easier. Play things a little safer. Not Surman. This is an album that fully has him looking forward with his quartet. From the opening notes of Pebble Dance (the first track on the album), you know this is going to be a unique hour of music.
Guitaris Rob Luft; drummer Thomas Strønen and vibraphonist Rob Waring join Surman for this utterly compelling album.
VOCALS: SONDHEIM IN THE CITY – Melissa Errico (Concord Theatricals Recordings)
During the pandemic Errico turned to the music of Stephen Sondheim. It was during this time she decided to make a follow-up to her Sondheim Sublime album. This one is designed as a love letter to New York City.
In addition, some usual suspects (Being Alive, Take Me To the World), Errico has done a deep dive into some rare and obscure songs like Dawn and It Wasn’t Meant to Happen. In my interview with her she said there were more undiscovered songs by Sondheim. Let’s hope we get to hear them soon.
Errico is in top form with this album and her affinity for Sondheim’s work is abundantly clear. She is joined by Ted Firth on paino; David Finck on bass; Lewis Nash on drums and Matt Munisteri on guitar. First did the arrangements and they are terrific.
This is a must-have album for Sondheim fans. Be sure to check out my interview with Melissa Errico here. And you can watch the full conversation here.
That’s my complete list of New In Music This Week: February 16th.
Enjoy the music!
Enjoy the weekend!
Main Photo: Riley Mulherkar’s “Riley” album art excerpt