There are not a lot of new releases in New In Music This Week: November 28th given the Thanksgiving holiday yesterday. But vinyl fans probably know that today is Black Friday Record Day. Jazz fans will want to get to their local independent record stores to find some real gems (and one for fans of musicals, too.)
My top pick for New In Music This Week: November 28th is:
CLASSICAL: FERNANDO LOPES-GRAÇA: GLOSAS, EMBALOS, ÁLBUM DO JOVEM PIANISTA – Luís Duarte – Hyperion Records
Portuguese composer Lopes-Graça is not a composer with whom I was familiar. I wasn’t familiar with pianist Luís Duarte either.
On this outstanding recording, Duarte plays 37 pieces composed by Lopes-Graça. The labum opens with 11 Glosas which are based on traditional Portuguese songs. That is followed by 5 Embalos which are lullabies based on traditional Portuguese songs. Three of the five Embalos (all from 1973) are presented here in their first-ever recording. The album concludes with the 36-minute Álbum de jovem pianista or Album for the young pianist. There are 21 parts to the album ranging in length from just under a minute to just over three.
I was excited by this adventure into the unknown that Duarte has given me into Lopes-Graça’s work. Some of these compositions are light and playful; others are darkly intense.
Throughout Duarte performs these pieces as if they’ve been in his heart and soul for years. This isn’t always easy music. You will find some of the music confronting you. That’s to be expected given Lopes-Graça’s experiences as a political prisoner in his own country.
Despite that turmoil, he’s composed music that deserves to be heard. This recording by Duarte is a wonderful way to spread the word.
Here are the other fine recordings that are New In Music This Week: November 28th:
CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL: TOWARDS THE BELOVED CITY – Kirill Richter – Warner Classics
Pianist/composer Richter has written a waltz cycle. All eight tracks (into and Waltzes 1-7) feature him at the piano.
The opening, Introduction, has several discordant notes that my ears really perked up. I was intrigued by the introduction of notes that others might hear as mistakes, but clearly are there to explore the pain of heartbreak.
The subsequent seven waltzes are all interesting and Richter’s playing is playful, haunting, poignant and emotional.
This was my introduction to the Russian-born composer. I’ll be looking out for more.
HOLIDAY MUSIC: HEARTH – Miró Quartet – Pentatone
Let me be clear, I don’t like Christmas music. As grinchy as that sounds, it’s just the truth. Too few songs played repeatedly for weeks on end, beginning, sometimes, before Halloween, is enough to sour anyone on this music.
Imagine my surprise when I begrudgingly listened to this album of carols and holiday tunes as arranged by some of today’s most exciting contemporary classical composers and liked it. It helps that not all of the songs are well-known carols.
Miró Quartet commissioned fifteen composers. The work of these fifteen composers along with Miró Quartet’s excellent playing, means Hearth melted my heart.
Amongst the composers are Clarice Assad, Anna Clyne, Reena Esmail, Gabriel Kahane, Kevin Puts, Paola Prestini and Derrick Skye. It helps that not all of the songs are well-known carols.
My favorite tracks are those that don’t sound traditional. Esmail’s I Wonder As I Wander, Sam Lipman’s Rock of Ages, Alex Berko’s In the Bleak Midwinter, Clyne’s Mother’s Lullaby, Kahane’s halfspent (Lo, how a rose…), Michael Begay’s Oh Come All Ye Faithful and Hung=ki Joo’s mash-up of multiple pieces in Songs of Christmas Past are my favorites.
Now if we could get retail outlets to play this instead of the other stuff…I can dream, can’t I?
JAZZ: EXTENDED DAYDREAM – Lisa Hilton – Ruby Slipper Productions
Miles Davis’s So What is not the most covered song in the world. It’s a bold way to start a piano quintet and kudos to Lisa Hilton for doing so. That is one of only two covers on Extended Daydream. The other is Wildflower by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell.
The other nine tunes are Hilton originals and clearly living in the natural world is on her mind with such titles as Spacious Skies, Sunset Tale, Seabirds and Blues on the Beach. I found her music completely engrossing and her playing diverse in her ability to be comfortable with Latin rhythms one moment and swinging the next. All of it seeming effortless.
Hilton’s very talented quintet features JD Allen on tenor sax, Luques Curtis on bass, Rudy Royston on drums and Igmar Thomas on trumpet.
Her Extended Daydream was an hour of music I have happily listened to a few times and each time I hope the daydream doesn’t end.
RECORD STORE DAY BLACK FRIDAY RELEASES
All of the following titles are by jazz artists:
EUROPE 1964 – Albert Ayler & Don Cherry – ORG Music
Four recording sessions by saxophonist Albert Ayler and trumpeter Don Cherry from the fall of 1964 are featured on this 4-LP box set.
Cherry was a member of Ayler’s free jazz quartet along with drummer Sunny Murray and double bassist Gary Peacock.
These albums include live sessions from Jazzhus Montmartre in Copenhagen and VARA Radio in The Netherlands.
There are 1250 copies being issued. This is a RSD First release.
GOLDEN FLOWER – LIVE IN SWEDEN – Yusef Lateef – Elemental Music Records
Two different live performances in Sweden make up this 2 LP set from multi-instrumentalist Lateef. The first is from September 13, 1967. Lateef was joined for this performance by Palle Danielsson on bass, Albert “Tootie” Heath on drums and Lars Sja-sten on piano. They perform The Golden Flute, Blind Willie, One Little Indian, Straighten Up and Fly Right and The Poor Fisherman.
The second set took place on August 1, 1972 at the Åhus Jazz Festival. Here Lateef was joined by Kenny Barron on piano, Bob Cunningham on bass and Albert “Tootie” Heath on drums. They perform Inside Atlantis, Eboness, Lowland Lullaby, A Flower and Yusef’s Mood.
There are 1750 copies being issued. This is a RSD First Release.
LESTER LEAPS IN: LIVE AT BIRDLAND 1951-1952 – Lester Young – Liberation Hall
The eight tracks on this album were captured during four different sets in 1951 and 1952 at New York’s legendary Birdland. They were recorded for ABC Radio.
The musicians performing in these sessions include percussionist Lee Abrams, trumpeter Jesse Drakes, pianist Cyril Haynes, percussionist ‘Papa” Jo Jones, pianist Earl Knight, pianist John Lewis and bassist Gene Ramey.
The songs performed are Lester Leaps In, Ghost of a Chance, Up And Atom, These Foolish Things, Neenah, Indiana, How High the Moon and ‘Deed I Do.
There are 1500 copies being issued. This is a RSD First Release.
LIVE AT THE JAZZ RECORD MART – Charlie Haden – Delmark Records
Bassist Haden goes solo in this live recording from Chicago’s Jazz Record Mart. There is a combination of talking and performances on this single LP release.
Amongst the songs are Blues, Ron Carter And Such, Lonely Women, Song for the Wales, Play Some Thing Else and Be Bop.
There are 1000 copies being issued. This is a RSD First release.
LIVE AT THE PLUGGED NICKEL: DECEMBER 23, 1965 – SECOND SET – Miles Davis – Sony Legacy Recordings
Fans know that Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Tony Williams were the members in Miles Davis’s Quintet at this time. This is going to be great music.
In 1995, Sony released an 8-disc box set of the Complete Live at the Plugged Nickel. This release is the first vinyl release of these live performances with a full box set due for release next year.
There are six songs on this 2LP release: All of You, Agitation, My Funny Valentine, One Green Dolphin Street, So What and The Theme.
There are 5900 copies being issued. This is a RSD Exclusive release.
PORTRAITS AT THE PENTHOUSE: LIVE IN SEATTLE – Bill Evans – Resonance Records
Pianist Evans was joined by bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Joe Hunt for two live recordings at Seattle’s Penthouse jazz club. The sessions were recorded for radio station KING-FM.
The first three tracks come from May 12, 1966. They are: How My Heart Sings, ‘Round Midnight and Come Rain or Come Shine. The balance of the tracks are from May 19, 1966. They are: Nardis, Elsa, Time Remembered, Who Can I Turn To?, Detour Ahead, Autumn Leaves, How My Heart Sings and I Should Care.
There are 4000 copies being issued. This is a RSD Exclusive release.
SEEK & LISTEN: LIVE AT THE PENTHOUSE– Rahsaan Roland Kirk – Resonance Records
Two 1967 sessions at Seattle’s Penthouse Jazz Club are the source for this 2 LP release. The sessions were recording for KING-FM Radio.
Joining Kirk for these shows were pianist Ron Burton, drummer Jimmy Hopps and bassist Steve Novosel.
The albums feature performances of The Jump Thing, Alfie, Mingus-Griff Song, Duke Ellington Medley, Bagpipe Melody/Happy Days Are Here Again, Ode to Billie Joe, Prelude To a Kiss, Funk Underneath, Lovellevelliloqui, Now Please Don’t You Cry Beautiful Edith and Making Love After Hours.
There are 1200 copies being issued. This is a RSD Exclusive Release.
VIBRATIONS IN THE VILLAGE: LIVE AT THE VILLAGE GATE – Rahsaan Roland Kirk – Resonance Records
This recording from November 26, 1963 was part of an aborted documentary film on Kirk. The tapes were discovered and are the source for this live recording at New York City’s Village Gate.
Kirk was joined by drummer Sonny Brown, bassist Henry Grimes and three pianists: Jane Getz, Horace Parlan and Melvin Rhyne.
This 2LP set features Jump UP and Down – Fast, Ecclusiastics, All the Things You Are, We’ll Be Together Again, My Delight, Baritone Oboe Blues, Termini’s Corner, Falling In Love With Love and Three For the Festival.
There are 1200 copies being issued. This is a RSD Exclusive Release.
Lastly, there is one other release for musical fans who can’t get enough of Wicked: For Good.
WICKED: FOR GOOD – THE SOUNDTRACK – Republic Records
This is a 2 LP Picture Disc release of the soundtrack for the second Wicked film. This release features the same eleven songs found on all other releases for the soundtrack.
Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater and Marissa Bode perform.
The songs are, of course, written by Stephen Schwartz.
If you didn’t already know (how could you not at this point?), there are two new songs: The Girl in the Bubble (Grande) and No Place Like Home (Erivo).
There are 15,000 copies being issued. This is a RSD Exclusive Release.
That’s all for New In Music This Week: November 28th.
Enjoy time with your families and enjoy your weekend. Most importantly, enjoy the music.
Main Photo: Part of the album art for Vibrations in the Village (Courtesy Resonance Records)