New Releases Spotlight: Week of September 19, 2016
This week in the Music Lounge, our music director Paul Abella reviews three new releases, including Dave Stryker’s second release in his Eight Track concept!
This week in the Music Lounge, we’ve got a few great new discs to check out…let’s get right to it!
What’s one thing you don’t often find in the jazz world? A sequel. However, guitarist Dave Stryker is attempting just that on his latest album, Eight Track II. Much like any sequel worth its salt, he’s got the same actors back for the second go ‘round (vibist Steve Nelson, organist Jared Gold and drummer McClenty Hunter), and they’re mining roughly the same territory (tunes that were on the 8 Track and the AM radio when Stryker would’ve been rolling around in his AMC Gremlin cruising for chicks and cheap beer). So, how does the sequel fare, compared to the original? I’d say that this one’s just as solid as that first disc, which was awesome! On #2 we’re treated to some gems from Marvin Gaye ("What’s Goin’ On," "Trouble Man"), The Temptations ("I Can’t Get Next To You") and Stevie Wonder ("Send One Your Love," "Signed, Sealed, Delivered"). Awesome, indeed!
Vocalist Catherine Russell has just put out her newest Harlem On My Mind. Russell takes jazz back to its pre-World War II roots, when Jazz, Blues and even Country music all intertwined. On Harlem on my Mind, she runs the gamut, from novelty songs ("You’ve Got the Right Key But the Wrong Keyhole"), to standards that have stood the test of time ("The Very Thought of You"). If you love listening to When Jazz Was King with Barry on Saturday mornings, you’re going to love Ms. Russell’s updates of these classics.
Finally, with the release of Joey Alexander’s second album, Countdown, we need to stop the qualifiers of Joey Alexander as a great “KID” pianist. This young man has got the goods. His first disc had moments of greatness, to be sure, but Countdown is an eye opener. Once again, his finest moment is on a Monk tune ("Criss Cross"), but his work on Billy Strayhorn’s "Chelsea Bridge" and especially Herbie Hancock’s "Maiden Voyage" (with special guest saxophonist, Chris Potter) are both stunning. It’s also nice to see that he’s writing some pretty solid originals, too – both "City Lights" and "Sunday Waltz" are highlights on this pretty excellent disc. And Countdown will be one of the featured CDs we offer as a Thank You Gift during our upcoming Fall Pledge Drive.
Next week, we’re going to talk about what will likely be one of the biggest releases of 2016 – John Scofield’s Country for Old Men. It’s breathtaking! ‘Til next time…keep your ears open!
