New Releases Spotlight: Week of July 27, 2015

This week in The Music Lounge, music director Paul Abella talks about three fantastic releases: Terrell Stafford paying tribute to Lee Morgan, vocalist Charenee Wade tipping her hat to Gil Scott-Heron, and the second release from Chicago’s very own Corbin Andrick.

Hey, everyone!

Saxophonist Corbin Andrick is a relatively new voice on the Chicago scene, and he’s got a new disc out called Olmstead’s Whistle.  I’ll just start off by saying how totally impressed I am with this disc.  The writing here is impeccable, and the band is a batch of soon-to-be Chicago all-stars.  Alongside Andrick are Marquis Hill on trumpet, Katie Ernst on bass, Andrew Green on drums, Juan Pastor on cajon, Daniel Bruce on guitar and Brad MacDonald on keys.  Together, they make music that draws on jazz, but also from Latin and African rhythms and R&B as well.  I’ve been known to go on about how jazz players need to acknowledge the world of music around them in order to keep making fresh and relevant statements.  Well, this is how that is done with original music, thoughtful presentation, tasteful solos and above all, great songs.  "The Night Owls," once it takes flight, is especially impressive, with the band feeling much bigger than its seven pieces.  "Sidewalks of Southport" grooves heavily, helped in no small part by Paul Mutzabaugh’s guest shot on organ.  You’ll be hearing lots of this one on WDCB in the coming weeks, and I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we do at WDCB!

Vocalist Charenee Wade’s latest is a tribute to Gil Scott-Heron titled Offering.  I’ll be the first to admit that outside of classics like "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised," I’ve not explored much of Gil Scott-Heron’s work.  What I heard when previewing this disc for airplay was a beautifully crafted album with top flight players like Stefon Harris, Lonnie Plaxico and Dave Stryker playing lush, R&B inflected jazz that draws from the best of jazz of the ‘70s while not sounding dated in the slightest.  "Home Is Where The Hatred" and "No Such Thing As Superman" (featuring Marcus Miller on bass clarinet) are amongst the high points on this disc, but there are fine moments throughout.  This singer really stands out amongst the current crop of jazz vocalists.  Be sure to check her out!

The newest release from trumpeter Terell Stafford, a tribute to Lee Morgan named Brotherlee Love (Lee Morgan loved the punny titles), is exactly what you’d expect from such a project – top notch recreations of some songs that Lee Morgan wrote or made his own.  What’s shocking is what’s not on here – there’s no "Sidewinder," no "Ceora," none of the classic "Jazz Messenger" tunes that he’s associated with…and that’s just fine.  What is here is great!  This disc focuses on Lee Morgan, the swinging trumpet master who was effortlessly hip, with every lick dripping with greasy goodness.  "Hocus Pocus," "Speedball" and "Stop Start" all swing mightily.  "Mr. Kenyatta" loses the nearly menacing feel that Morgan gave it and replaces it with a bossa meets Latin hybrid groove that really works.  There’s a lot to like here, and you’ll be hearing lots of it on WDCB!

Next week in The Music Lounge, I’ll review new releases from Sammy Figueroa, George Cables and the Heads of State.  ‘Til then… keep your ears open!