New Jazz Releases – 08/19/2024
Author: Russell Perry
Orquesta Akokan
This week my horizons were expanded through a set of terrific releases from players who are new to me: tenor saxophonist Neta Raanan, bassist Piet Verbist, saxophonist Russell Haight, and retro mambo band Orquesta Akokan. In addition, I enjoyed the new release from trumpeter Eric Jacobson and an unreleased live recording from the Wayne Shorter Quartet.
Orquesta Akokan – Caracoles (Daptone, released 07/12/2024). Harold Madrigal Frias – trumpet, Reinaldo “Molote” Melian – trumpet, Orlando “Bocasa” Pena – trumpet, Heikel Fabian – trombone, Yoandy Argudin – trombone, Cesar Lopez – alto saxophone, Emir Santa Cruz Hernandez – tenor saxophone, Jose Luis “Chewy” Hernandez – tenor saxophone, Evaristo Denis – baritone saxophone, Michael Eckroth – piano, Jacob Plasse – tres, Gaston Joya – bass, Kiko Ruiz – vocals.
In their third release, the Cuban mambo big band Orquesta Akokan, introduces Kiko Ruiz as their new singer for a set that struts and swings back 70 years in a delightfully retro way, then proceeds to make the sound fresh and modern They have a killer front line and a rhythmic attack that will take control of your feet. What Daptone has been to soul music, this band is to mambo … and more. You may find your way back to Machito and Pérez Prado once this music takes over your mind. Highly recommended.
Review: The Guardian, All Music
Neta Raanan – Unforeseen Blossom (Giant Step Arts, releases 08/23/2024). Neta Raanan – tenor saxophone, Joel Ross – vibraphone, Simón Willson – bass, Kayvon Gordon – drums.
Tenorist Neta Raanan is another exciting young woman saxophonist (Stacy Dillard, Melissa Aldana, Nicole Glove, Julieta Eugenio, Tia Fuller, Lakecia Benjamin, Amanda Gardier, Carolie Davis). Her debut recording is a live set of seven originals in a tenor – vibes – bass – drums quartet with vibraphonist Joel Ross (Nublues previewed 02/12/2024). Raanan has a warm airy sound that can float or propel. Recommended.
Matt Booth – Sun Prints (Eyes & Ears Records, releases 08/23/2023). Steve Lands – trumpet, Sam Taylor – tenor saxophone, Oscar Rossignoli – piano and keyboards, Matt Booth – upright bass / electric bass, Peter Varnado – drums.
Bassist Matt Booth, recently of New Orleans (now North Carolina) has teamed up with NOLA veterans for a new post bop quintet release. Booth and pianist Oscar Rossignoli have been two thirds of the fine piano trio Extended (Brad Walker + Extended – Side by Side previewed 04/10/2023). Some ballads, some funk, some fusion, some acoustic, some electric – lots of range.
Review: Making A Scene
Wayne Shorter – Celebration (Blue Note Records, releases 08/23/2024). Wayne Shorter – tenor saxophone / soprano saxophone, Danilo Perez – piano, John Patitucci – bass, Brian Blade – drums.
Nothing more really needs to be said about the marvelous Wayne Shorter and his outstanding quartet for the last 23 years of his life. This previously unreleased live set was curated by Shorter in his last days and is described as one of several live releases we will see in the future. Good. The quartet is memorialized primarily with four previously released live recordings and a single studio effort – Alegria, 2003. This release fills in some of the blank spots.
Review: The Guardian, AllAboutJazz, JazzWise
Javon Jackson & Nikki Giovanni – Javon and Nikki Go To the Movies (Solid Jackson / Palmetto Records, releases 08/23/2024). Javon Jackson – tenor saxophone, Jeremy Manasia – piano, David Williams – bass, McLenty Hunter – drums, Nikki Giovanni – poet, Nicole Zuraitis – vocals.
Tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson and poet Nikki Giovanni have reformed the team that brought us 2022’s The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni. There are three approaches at play here – Jackson and his quartet performing Jackson compositions or standards, the quartet plus Grammy-winning vocalist Nicole Zuraitis performing themes from film and the quartet plus Nikki Giovanni reciting her poetry over movie themes. The result is not as focussed as the title may suggest, but there are some memorable moments. Giovanni is a compelling presence and Jackson quite an accomplished ballad player.
Charlie Apicella & Iron City Meet The Griots Speak – Call To Action / Call to Prayer (OA2 Records, released 08/16/2024). Daniel Carter – saxophones / flute / clarinet / trumpet / piano, Brad Whiteley – organ, William Parker – bass, doson ngoni, double reed: gralla, gembiri, pocket trumpet, Austin Walker – drums, Charlie Apicella – madal drum / Tibetan singing bowls, Juma Sultan – congas / shakers / percussion.
This release from a blended band of avant-garde players with a hard bop rhythm section is a continuation of a 2022 recording session, a portion of which was released in 2023 (Destiny Calling previewed 05/22/2023). Unfortunately, it seems as if much of the best material is already out and this release doesn’t reach the level of its predecessor to my ears.
Review: AllAboutJazz, Take Effect, Jazz Views
Eric Jacobson – Heading Home (Origin Records, released 08/16/2024). Eric Jacobson – trumpet, Geof Bradfield – tenor sax, Bruce Barth – piano, Dennis Carroll – bass, George Fludas – drums.
Milwaukee-based trumpeter Eric Jacobson (Affinity Trio – Hindsight previewed10/30/2023) has joined forces with New York pianist Bruce Barth (Rodney Whitaker, Terrel Stafford) and some great Chicago players including tenor saxophonist Geof Bradfield (Quaver previewed 08/14/2023). The set of eight originals has a muscular hard bop feel that drifts into Jazz Messenger territory. Highly recommended.
Review: Culture Currents
Piet Verbist – Flamenco Jazz Summit: El Mar Empieza Aqui (Origin Records, released 08/16/2024). Carmelo Muriel – bansuriney, Tom Van Dyck – alto saxophone / soprano saxophone, Milan Verbist – piano, Piet Verbist – double bass, Carlos Cortés – percussion / flamenco guitar, Juan Sainz – drums.
Belgian bassist Piet Verbist fronts a mix of Belgian and Andalusian players in a set of seven originals plus Thad Jones’s A Child Is Born. Verbist is inspired by Flamenco music, whose rhythms and North African scales influence this fine program. Spanish flutist Carmelo Muriel (playing the bansuriney, a wooden flute of his own invention) shares the front line with Belgian saxophonist Tom Van Dyck and their unison passages are among the highlights of this release. Percussionist Carlos Cortés plays flamenco guitar on one selection. Highly recommended.
Russell Haight – Go Forth (OA2 Records, released 08/16/2024). Russell Haight – saxophones, Sean Giddings – piano, Ryan Hagler – bass, Daniel Dufour – drums.
Saxophonist Russell Haight was a long-time Austin player and he recorded this (his debut?) with his long-time Austin collaborators. Apparently, Haight has now relocated to upstate New York. Just last week, I was really impressed by a new release from another Austin band – lead by Elias Haslanger and Mike Sailors. This one is a fine straight ahead set (nine originals plus Night and Day and Over The Rainbow) by a totally in synch and swinging band. Haight is a terrific player and composer. I hope he assembles another strong band and we hear more from him. Highly recommended.
Reviews: Contemporary Fusion Reviews
Matt Mitchell – Zealous Angels (Pi Recordings, released 08/16/2024). Matt Mitchell – piano, Chris Tordini – bass, Dan Weiss – drums.
I loved the last collaboration between pianist Matt Mitchell and drummer Dan Weiss (Even Odds with Miguel Zenon previewed 03/18/2024). This release in a trio with Chris Tordini (Marta Sanchez, Tyshawn Sorey) doesn’t rise to that level for me. The set of Mitchell originals is complex and inventive and the playing superb.
Review: Jazz Trail
Gunhild Carling Big Band with Strings – Jazz Is My Lifestyle (Self produced, released 08/05/2024). Gunhild Carling, trumpet / trombone / harp / flute / recorder / harmonica / ukelele / theremin, Jonathan Bradley. Mike Stever, Ray Monteiro, Jamie Hovorka – trumpets,Idun Carling, Ryan Dragon, Nick Daley, Erm Navarro – trombones, Julianna Gralle – bass trombone,Luke Kirley – sousaphone,Nathan Tokunaga, Chloe Feoranzo – clarinets,Mark Visher – alto saxophone / flute / piccalo / clarinet, Danny House – alto saxophone / clarinet,Dan Kaneyuki, Dan Boissy – tenor saxophone / clarinet,Cesar Martinez – bass clarinet / baritone saxophone,Neil Fontano, Roy Gerson – piano,Jim Fox – guitar,Johan Blomé – banjo,Ken Wild – bass,Jamey Tate, Viggo Carling Blomé – drums,The Prague Strings Chamber Orchestra.
Multi-instrumentalist Gunhild Carling does it all – sparkling trumpet lead, powerful singing, writing all the tunes, leading the band. We listeners can be easily fooled into thinking these are modern versions of classic material, but it is all new. She and a roaring big band capture the sound of large ensemble jazz from the golden age of big bands (a surprisingly short period from maybe August 1935 when Benny Goodman slayed the Palomar Ballroom until August 1942 when the musicians union went on strike and stopped all recording at a time when touring was severely limited by wartime shortages). If you are looking for a totally retro vibe, this is for you.
Review: The Art Music Lounge
I hope that something here enriches your life.
Russell Perry, Jazz at 100 Now!
If your music isn’t changing your life, you’ve simply picked the wrong songs. – Ted Gioia
