New Releases Spotlight: Week of April 20, 2015

This week in The Music Lounge, music director Paul Abella takes a look at three new releases:

First off, guitarist Russell Malone has a new disc out called Love Looks Good On You.  Russell has long been synonymous with absolutely tasteful guitar playing, and that does not change here.  Backed by the grooving rhythm section of pianist Rick Germanson, bassist Gerald Cannon and drummer Willie Jones III, this quartet does not disappoint.  My two favorites are both written by great pianists: Mulgrew Miller’s "Soul Leo" and Harold Mabern’s "Amsterdam After Dark."

 

Vocalist Mary Stallings has a new disc out, Feelin’ Good.  If standards sung right in the pocket is what you’re looking for, look no further.  Stallings’ silky smooth voice and grooving rhythm section make for a lot of great music to be heard here.  Her take on "A Night in Tunisia" is absolutely on fire, and her version of Sam Cooke’s "You Send Me" simmers gorgeously.


 

Finally, I’ve long had a soft spot for jazz artists playing more modern material, and in this regard trombonist Chris Washburne knocks it out of the park with his latest on Zoho, Low Ridin’.  My favorite moment on the disc is actually the lone original, "Syotomon," where the band really cuts loose and gets a heady groove going. However, the meat and potatoes of this disc is Washburne going straight for the 8-track player with Latin-ized renditions of 70’s classics from Bob Marley ("Get Up, Stand Up"), Led Zeppelin ("Stairway to Heaven" and "Kashmir"), Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young ("Ohio"), and of course, War ("Low Rider").  Hearing these done in a Latin jazz context makes them really stand out from the pack.

Paul will profile more fantastic new releases for you next week in The Music Lounge!