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

Houston Person – Live in Paris (High Note)

It’s great to see Houston Person back in the format that he got started in…with grooving organ groups that can swing, get funky and play some cool tunes. On Live in Paris, he’s assembled a dream band, with Ben Paterson on the organ, Peter Bernstein on guitar and Willie Jones III playing the drums. This is a set list designed for maximum foot tapping, and this one is going to get played A LOT on WDCB.

Graham Dechter – Major Influence (Capri)

Guitarist Graham Dechter has put together a really solid quartet for his latest album, Major Influence. Joined by pianist Tamir Hendelman, bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton, these four make some tasteful music together. Major Influence is largely a program of original material, with “Pure Imagination” being the sole standard. But all of these original songs are written and played to sound like the equivalent of an old pair of jeans, comfortable and familiar. This is a really nice disc.

Eliane Elias – Mirror Mirror (Candid)

Pianist Eliane Elias recently released an album of piano duets with Chick Corea and Chucho Valdes called Mirror, Mirror. An impressive set that features four duets with Corea and three with Valdes, what’s truly astounding is how deftly Elias pulls these two masters into her realm. Sure, Corea’s fingerprints are all over “Armando’s Rumba,” and Valdes’ impressive runs and arpeggios bring the heat during “Sabor A Mi,” but everything here sounds like it belongs on Elias’ album, and that’s a great thing. This is truly a fascinating listen.