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

Rob Clearfield – Voice in the Wilderness (Jazz & People)

Pianist and one-time Chicagoan, Rob Clearfield has a new album out called Voice in the Wilderness. Joined by bassist Joe Sanders, drummer Fred Pasqua, and on four tracks, trumpeter Itamar Borochov, Clearfield has made himself one pretty record. The opening song, “Fields” gives the listener a solid idea of what’s to come: lush, impressionistic music that’s not dissimilar to Brad Mehldau’s trio work. “Voice in the Wilderness (Part 1)” is a sparse vehicle for piano and trumpet that is just gorgeous. The whole band joins in for “Voice in the Wilderness (Part 2),” and things become even more lovely. “If There Were Ever a Time” and “When We Were Kings” both illustrate what a fantastic trio Clearfield, Sanders and Pasqua make, and “New England” finds this quartet loping along with confidence. From start to finish, Voice in the Wilderness is a fine album.

Entre Amigos – Magpie: The Music of Joe Clark (self-produced)

If you want proof of how tight-knit the Chicago Jazz scene is, look no further than the latest album by Entre Amigos, Magpie: The Music of Joe Clark. Whether with the BS Brass Band, The Joe Clark Big Band, or in tandem with the graphic novels he’s had a hand in, Clark has a big brain filled with a lot of great music. If that wasn’t already evident, Entre Amigos will be doing their best to show some proof. Roy McGrath (saxophones), Hana Fujisaki (piano), Kitt Lyles (bass) and Gustavo Cortiñas (drums) make for an excellent quartet. “Potato” is a mid-tempo swinger that’ll have you bobbing your head while you listen. “Bernard” spends its eight minutes building a solid head of steam, starting off as a song in search of a film noir soundtrack, and by the end, it’s a powerful tour de force. “Magpie” is a nice ballad, and “The Parliament” is a laid back samba. For only six songs, Magpie: The Music of Joe Clark covers a lot of ground. Now I’m looking forward to a part two in a series of Music of Joe Clark releases.

Greg Murphy – Snap Happy (Whaling City Sound)

Pianist Greg Murphy has a new album out, called Snap Happy. A potent mixture of standards, Jazz classics, original songs and a fusion flashback, there’s a lot to like here. Starting off with a fiery rendition of “On Green Dolphin Street,” Murphy’s in the zone from the jump. Obasi Akoto’s bass playing is super tasty throughout, and Steve Johns stokes the flames with some great drumming. Wayne Shorter’s “Twelve More Bars to Go” is a great tune that doesn’t get played enough. Chick Corea’s “Humpty Dumpty” gets a reading that comes out of left field – and works. I wasn’t expecting a funk jam, but here I am, impressed with a funky take on one of my favorite Corea compositions. Even more shocking is the uptempo, Samba-fied take on Thelonious Monk’s “Pannonica.” The album closes as it starts, with a hard swingin’ take on a well-worn standard. “All God’s Chillun Got Rhythm” leaves the listener wanting more. Which, I suppose, is the ultimate goal of any album, right?