What's New on WDCB... with Paul Abella

Alan Broadbent Trio – Like Minds (Savant)

Pianist Alan Broadbent has emerged from the studio with a solid effort from an excellent trio called Like Minds. Bassist Harvie S and drummer Billy Mintz round out this group, and the results are fun. A handful of standards and bebop tunes, a lone original (the lovely “Prelude to Peace”) and a reminder that a bare-bones piano trio getting back to basics can make for some stellar listening. There is nothing rushed here, and I am loving the rather laid back renditions of Sonny Rollins’ “Airegin” and Bud Powell’s “Blue Pearl.”

Daniel Glass Trio – BAM! (Club44)

Drummer Daniel Glass is the leader on BAM!, but the heroes on the first few notes of the disc are clearly the bassist, Michael O’Brien and guitarist Sean Harkness. The sheer amount of stank that they put on Cedar Walton’s classic “Bolivia” made me a believer pretty quickly. This isn’t to discount Glass’ contributions; rather, he’s swinging pretty hard here. But he’s definitely put himself in fine company, and that’s an excellent thing. I found myself just as charmed on “It Could Happen To You” with a unique arrangement that might evoke the idea of Bill Evans’ conversational trios or “And Lost” which feels like it’s been touched by Mike Stern, without ever sounding like it’s been touched by Mike Stern. This is a cool little guitar trio record, and I look forward to sharing it with you on DCB Jazz.

Hendrik Meurkens & The WDR Big Band  - Samba Jazz Odyssey (zoho)

Harmonica player Hendrik Meurkens has teamed up with the WDR Big Band from Germany and the acclaimed trumpeter and arranger Michael Philip Mossman for a new album called Samba Jazz Odyssey. All parties sound inspired here – Meurkens plays with fire on a program largely focused on his compositions, the arrangements are tight, and the WDR Big Band always sounds good. Hendrik was long ago bit by the Brazilian bug; this is music that he deeply loves, and it shows. So, when he finally gets to an Antonio Carlos Jobim tune (“Choro”) at the end of the CD, his solo twists and turns through an arrangement that builds and builds in both heft and excitement. This is a cool disc. I hope you like it as much as I do.