New Releases Spotlight: Week of May 2, 2016

This week in the Music Lounge, our music director Paul Abella takes a look at three stellar new releases, including two from Chicago artists!

Let’s start off with the latest from Sonny Rollins.  It’s called Holding the Stage, and it’s the fourth installment of his Road Shows series.  It features various incarnations of his bands from the past 30 some-odd years, including Chicagoan Bobby Broom.  Sonny’s in fantastic form throughout, both on original material like "Professor Paul" and "Disco Monk" and on standards, such as "You’re Mine You" and incredible version of "In A Sentimental Mood," complete with some unaccompanied Sonny that’s been a hallmark of his live performances.  Sonny’s on fire throughout, and we’re all going to have a lot of fun playing it for you!

Next up, local saxophonist Greg Fishman has a new disc New Journey.  He’s joined by Dennis Luxion on piano, Eric Hochberg on bass and Phil Gratteau on drums.  It’s a wonderful album that swings throughout.  Fishman wears his love of Stan Getz on his sleeve, and that love is evident throughout this program of original material.  This is largely a program of up-tempo material featuring Fishman and company swinging with authority on such tunes as "Champagne Jane" and "Boppertunity."  Those of us who love Fishman’s work in Two for Brazil will particularly enjoy "Dahlia" and "New Journey" which have been given a definite Latin tinge.

Finally, Dave Flippo has rather unique new disc out called Life On Mars.  It’s a CD of pop tunes from the post Tin Pan Alley era, and there are some gems here.  Joni Mitchell’s "Chelsea Morning" is given a gorgeous treatment, and David Bowie’s "Life On Mars" is fantastic as well.  A few standards round out the program, including a really nice version of "It Might As Well Be Spring." Bassist Don DeSanto and drummer Heath Chappell do a great job playing alongside Flippo.  Life on Mars is a nicely grooving disc that I think you’re going to like a lot.

I’ll be back next week with new jazz releases from Benny Golson and Gregory Porter.  ‘Til then… keep your ears open!