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

The Bobby Broom Organi-Sation – Jamalot (Steele Records)

The Bobby Broom Organi-Sation, with Bobby playing guitar, Ben Paterson playing the Hammond B-3 and Kobie Watkins playing the drums, was, amongst other things, the opening act for Steely Dan back in 2014. With three players at their level of excellence playing nearly every night over the course of a tour, sparks were bound to fly, and fly they did. As someone who already loved the previously recorded versions of “The House of the Rising Sun,” “The Jitterbug Waltz,” and “Superstition” that Broom had done, hearing the way these songs have expanded in the hands of Broom, Paterson and Watkins might be completely expected, but it’s still impressive none the less. There’s honestly not much else left to say. Jamalot has eight songs, all of them are awesome, and I’m pretty certain that all of us DCB Jazz people are going to play this disc regularly until well past when we have the solos memorized.

Rachel Z – Sensual (Dot Time Records)

If you’re not familiar with the name Rachel Z, don’t feel too bad. She is seriously under-recorded. She’s a fantastic pianist, a wonderful composer, and she’s brilliant with the synthesizers, too. Her contributions were a large part of what made Wayne Shorter’s High Life album such an outstanding achievement. So, for me, seeing Rachel Z’s new album, Sensual, come across my desk was an event, and I was not disappointed. If you’re reading this and you’re looking for a comparison, in ways, Kait Dunton’s latest, Keyboards, is cut from the same cloth. Not because they’re both female Jazz keyboardists, but because they’re both excellent keyboardists with big ears and a broad palette to work from. There are hints of Herbie Hancock, Bob James and Patrice Rushen in her playing and in how she arranges for strings, backgrounds and the occasional synthesizer. Of course, everything sounds better when you surround yourself with A-list talent, and Z has done that here. Joined by Matt Penman on bass, Omar Hakim on drums, Minu Cinelu on percussion, and a small handful of guest appearances, their playing as a unit is a thing of beauty. There’s an ethereal, late night (or maybe early, early morning) vibe to “Save My Soul,” “Forgive Me,” and “Shepherd’s Lullaby” that is breathtaking. On the more aggressive songs like “Bodhisattva,” Rachel Z and the band really hit a stride and make some genuinely unique music.

Win Pongsakorn – Time Has Changed (Cellar Music)

Trumpeter Win Pongsakorn is back with his second album, Time Has Changed, joined by pianist David Hazeltine, bassist Paolo Benedettini and drummer Jason Brown. In a diverse program that includes originals, reinterpretations of pop songs by Earth, Wind and Fire, Michael Jackson and The Shirelles, and the Jazz classics “Theme for Ernie” and “You’re Getting to Be a Habit with Me,” Ponsakorn stands out as a young instrumentalist that we’ll surely be hearing more from. Of course, having a seasoned veteran like David Hazeltine along for the ride helps immensely; the grooves are light and buoyant, and the rhythm section drives things nicely throughout. Things start off on an interesting note with Michael Jackson’s “The Man in the Mirror,” rearranged as a mid-tempo swinger. Pongsakorn’s “Pensri” is bossa nova-esque, but not quite. David Hazeltine’s solo here is a thing of beauty. “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” makes a solid case for this Carole King classic being a future standard. The Harmon mute comes out for “You’re Getting to Be a Habit with Me,” and it’s a charming performance. “Theme for Ernie” gets a lovely treatment here as well. If Time Has Changed is only Win Pongsakorn’s second album, then we have a lot of fantastic music to look forward to from him.