New In Music This Week: August 29th

As we come to the unofficial end of summer with the Labor Day holiday in the United States, there are some albums worth checking out in New In Music This Week: August 29^th. They may not be right for a barbecue but will certainly entertain you – particularly if you are a fan of jazz. 

My top pick this week is: 

JAZZ: RIDE INTO THE SUN – Brad Mehldau – Nonesuch Records

The music of singer/songwriter Elliott Smith is the focus on this new album by pianist/composer Mehldau. Ten of his songs have been arranged by Mehldau for various configurations. There are also four originals and arrangements of Big Star’s Thirteen and Nick Drake’s Sunday (two songs Smith covered) to round out this outstanding album.

Anyone who has heard Mehldau’s arrangements of songs by The Beatles, Radiohead, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots and more knows that he puts his heart and soul into his interpretations of their songs.

Ride into the Sun is no exception. The album is equal parts beauty and sadness – as befits Smith’s music and lyrics. Though the lyrics aren’t part of Mehldau’s recording, the tone of them is perfectly captured in each track.

Joining Mehldau are drummer Matt Chamberlain; bassists John Davis and Felix Moseholm singer/guitarist Daniel Rossen and singer/mandolinist Chris Thile. Dan Coleman conducts the chamber orchestra.

Whether you know Elliot Smith’s music or not, this album will engender an emotional response. You won’t have a choice. Succumb to Mehldau’s presentation of these songs. Then do yourself a favor and listen to Elliot Smith’s originals. You can listen to Between the Bars HERE.

Here are the other fine recordings in New In Music This Week: August 29^th:

CLASSICAL: MORALES: REQUIEM a 5 & Officium defunctorum – De Profundis/Eamonn Dougan – Hyperion Records

No one is quite sure when Cristóbal de Morales was born. He was born in Spain and was an influential composer during the Renaissance. Of the numerous masses he composed less than two dozen survive.

This album opens by Officium defunctorum (Office for the Dead) which is believed to have been composed around 1526-1528. The Requiem a 5 (meaning for 5 voices) was published in 1544. You can listen to Introitus from the Requiem HERE.

De Profundis is an all-male ensemble that performs renaissance music as it would have been performed at the time: using low pitches. Their performances of both these works are first-rate. 

I’m not a religious person at all. But this album reminds me that some of the most beautiful music composed has been nonsecular in construct and purpose. This recording is additional proof of how stirring this music can be for both believers and non-believers.

CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL: AMERICAN MIRROR – Sphinx Virtuosi – Deutsche Grammophon

If you are a fan of new classical music, American Mirror is the album for you. The composers represented here are Juantio Becenti, Quenton Blanche, Andrea Casarrubios, Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, Derrick Skye and Curtis Stewart.

Though some of this music has been recorded before, the arrangements here are new in those cases. As in Skye’s American Mirror, Part 1. You can see and hear the Skye’s American Mirror, Part 1 HERE.

Sphinx Virtuosi is easily one of our finest string orchestras. This album proves that.

But their adventurous spirit is on display in Drill for Prepared Drumset and Strings. Percussionist Josh Jones joins the ensemble for this energetic piece by Stewart (whose Invention #1: Double Down for two violins is performed later in the album). 

I was particularly impressed with Becenti’s Hané (Story) which he composed at the age of 17. Herencia by Cassarrubios also left a strong impression on me.

The album closes with Perkinson’s Sinfonietta No. 2.

There are wonderful discoveries to be made here and the performances are all stellar.

DEFIES CATEGORIZATION: CRÉOLE RENAISSANCE – Aruán Ortiz – Intakt Records

This solo piano record by pianist/composer Ortiz will sound like some to be minimalist jazz. To others it will sound like contemporary classical music. What it sounds like to me is purely original and yes, minimalist. 

The liner notes reveal that Ortiz is using Négritude as the inspiration for these solo pieces. (Eight are originals. The two covers are of songs by Duke Ellington and Company Segundo.)

The simplest explanation of Négritude is being of Black African origin. 

Créole Renaissance is a hauntingly beautiful album that, apart from its inspiration, puts the listener into a place of quiet introspection. There is nothing rushed. Nothing urgent. The music is often starkly allowed to ring out until you’re left with nothing but the sound of your own breath listening to this very fine music.

JAZZ: WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, VOL. 1 – Christian McBride – Mack Avenue Records

Bassist/composer McBride is in big band form for this release that finds him joined by some big names in jazz and rock including Antoinette Henry, José James, Samara Joy, Jeffrey Osborne, Dianne Reeves, Cécille McLorin Salvant, Andy Summers and Sting. (The latter two are together for the first time in 17 years.)

The album opens with The Police’s Murder by Numbers featuring the former bandmates Summers and Sting. Osborne joins for L.T.D.’s Back in Love Again which has a great groove to it (as it should). Old Folks, a song by Willard Robison and Dedette Lee Hill from 1938 follows with an absolutely gorgeous vocal by Samara Joy. James joins for Moanin’ by Bobby Timmons with lyrics by Jon Hendricks. Cole Porter’s All Through the Night with Salvant who brings absolutely joy to the song. (You can hear All Through the Night HERE.) Reeves answers the question Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow and Henry sings Come Rain or Come Shine.

The album closes with Op. 49 – Cold Chicken Suite, 3^rd Movement composed by Mc Bride.

Without Further Ado, Vol. 1 is a thoroughly enjoyable album with some killer vocals. 

JAZZ: TRIUNE- Nicholas Payton – Smoke Sessions Records

I’ve long been a fan of trumpeter/keyboardist/composer Nicholas Payton and Triune is just one more reason how that faith has been rewarded.

He’s joined in this album by drummer Karriem Riggins and vocalist/bassist esparanza spalding. They make a great trio. Or as the album title suggests, three in one – the meaning of Triune.

Nikki Glaspie adds vocals to Ultraviolet while Ivan Neville plays organ and sings with Erica Falls on #bamisforthechildren which also features Otis McDonald. 

You can listen to Jazz is a Four-Letter Word from Triune HERE.

The album opens with Geri Allen’s Unconditional Love before continuing with five Payton originals. The digital and CD versions of Triune close with Geri Allen’s Feed the Fire.

For this album to live up to its title, this trio must truly function as one. They do and then some. There’s great playing here throughout the album.

JAZZ:  WHAT A TIME – Jahari Stampley – Jahari Stampley

Pianist/composer Stampley’s first album was 2023’s Still Listening. In his review for All About Jazz, Hrayr Attarian said, “The music world will all be listening for more to come from Jahari Stampley.”

That day has arrived with this impressive follow-up. As he did with Still Listening, Stampley does not confine himself exclusively to one way of presenting his music. There are classical, gospel, hip-hop and R&B influences that weave their way in and around the jazz music. And it all works.

All of the 10 tracks were composed by Stampley. Freedom In The Journey is co-written by Stampley with Elton Aura. 

Joining Stampley on What a Time are guitarist Elton Aura; singer/rapper Michael Blume; saxophonist Nicola Caminiti; singer India Carney; trumpeter Stephane Clement; multi-instrumentalist Morgan Guerin; multi-instrumentalist Stefan Haerle; trumpeter/vocalist Keyon Harrold; bassist Derrick Hodge; drummer JongKuk Kim; drummer Mike Mitchell; MOE; Miguel Russell on drums; multi-instrumentalist Luke Titus and Jahari’s mother D-Erania Stampley who is a saxophonist/pianist.

There are two versions available on Spotify. The difference is in sequencing and a slight variation in length. The Remastered version is slightly longer. Which is just a way to get a few more seconds of Stampley’s impressive music to hear.

JAZZ:  HOUSE OF THE SINGING BLOSSOMS – Anthony Wilson Nonet – Sam First Records

On July 1, 1997, jazz guitarist Anthony Wilson released his first studio album, Anthony Wilson. (Trivia: the pianist on that album was Brad Mehldau). It was the first of his albums to feature a nine-piece band. He received a Grammy nomination for this record.

Now comes another nonet album. This was recorded live at Sam First in Los Angeles and features Annna Butterss on bass; CJ Camerieri on French horn Gerald Clayton on piano; Alan Ferber on trombone; Mark Ferber on drums; Nicole McCabe on alto sax; Bob Reynolds on tenor sax; and Henry Solomon on baritone.

Songs by Keith Jarrett, Lennon & McCartney, Bennie Wallace, Ben Wendel, Joe Zawinul and his father, Gerald Wilson, appear along with two originals composed by Wilson.

This terrific album was recorded live in March of this year. What a treat the audience had over those two nights. This is first-rate musicianship paired with incredible arrangements.

Wilson’s two originals, House Of The Singing Blossoms and Blues For Wandering Angels are stand-outs. As are the covers of Because by The Beatles and Le Mistral by Keith Jarrett.

I’ve listened to this record four times. I guarantee this album will be on regular rotation in my home. I’d be willing to be it will be in yours, too.

Sam First Records releases are available for digital download and vinyl purchase HERE. You can also stream the album on Qobuz.

MUSICALS: WINCHELL: THE MUSICAL – NYC Studio Recording – Yellow Sound Label

It is unlikely that many people remember or know who Walter Winchell was. He passed away 53 years ago. He is best remembered as a gossip columnist but began his life as a Broadway reporter and critic. He was all known for his desire to ruin the livelihood of those who disagreed with. (Sounds like he’d fit into some aspects of our political life today.)

In 1991, this musical was meant to open on Broadway. But issues with the producers created such a scandal that the show was cancelled.

Winchell features songs composed by Keith Levenson and lyrics by Levenson and Martin Charnin (best known for Annie and I Remember Mama).

The music feels like it comes from a different time in musicals – which serves to its credit. It’s a fascinating piece performed by a great and unlikely combination of performers: F. Murray Abraham, Kate Baldwin, Angelina Carballo, Michael Cerveris, Alice Cooper, Jon Cryer, Roger Daltrey, Kristin Duerr, Billy Idol, Darlene Love, Steven Mercurio, Julia Murney, Claudia Schneider, Sally Struthers, Jackie Turner, Chip Zien and Adrian Zmed.

Composer Jason Robert Brown sings the role of Walter Winchell.

This recording is raising money for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Heath in Las Vegas, NV. Levenson is battling Parkinson’s disease and has been treated at the clinic.

Winchell: The Musical is more than a curiosity. It’s a satisfying look at a musical that never was with a top-notch recording.

That’s all for New In Music This Week: August 29^th.

Enjoy your weekend. Enjoy some music!

Main Photo: Part of the album art for Brad Mehldau’s Ride Into the Sun (Courtesy Nonesuch Records)