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

Gregory Porter - Christmas Wish (Blue Note)

I figured that it was only a matter of time before Gregory Porter would get around to putting out a Holiday album, and my Nostradamus-like abilities were proven right with the release of Christmas Wish. Like Porter albums before this one, we are treated to a few originals, like the title track and “Everything’s Not Lost.” We get a few nicely done arrangements of Christmas hymns like “Silent Night” and “The Little Drummer Boy,” holiday standards like “The Christmas Waltz” and “What are You Doing New Years Eve? (with Samara Joy)” and even Marvin Gaye’s “Purple Snowflakes.” All in all, it's a nice album that we’ll all be glad to play for you throughout December.

Sean Mason – The Southern Suite (Blue Engine)

Pianist Sean Mason may call New York City his home now, but he’s from North Carolina, and that informs his debut album, The Southern Suite. It’s telling that Wynton and Branford Marsalis both have their fingerprints on the album as “producer” and “consultant,” because the music here sounds like Mason absorbed a lot of the feel and sound of the Wynton Marsalis Quintets and Septets of the 80s and 90s. Joined by trumpeter Tony Glausi, saxophonist Chris Lewis, bassist Felix Moseholm and drummer Domo Branch, these players may not be household names just yet, but they will. Don’t worry about that. That Marsalis touch I mentioned earlier shows up most prominently on “SilkyM,” but there’s a lot of confident, easy swinging going on throughout The Southern Suite. “One United” gets to some truly in the moment improvisation that is fun to hear unfold. “Final Voyage,” which starts off the album, is the sound of unmitigated swinging joy. You can’t ask for much more than that.

Simon Moullier – Inception (Fresh Sound/New Talent)

Simon Moullier is one of my favorite “under the radar” musicians out there right now, and if I have anything to say about it, he won’t stay under the radar for too much longer. A deeply swinging and thoughtful vibraphonist, he brings it on whatever he plays. On his latest album, Inception, whatever he plays is Jazz standards. Mostly. “RC” might be an original composition, but “RC” stands for “Rhythm Changes;” amongst the most well-worn set of chord changes in Jazz history. Moullier is joined by Luca Allemano on bass and Jongkuk Kim behind the drums. Being the Mingus fan that I am, I jumped straight to “Peggy’s Blue Skylight” on first listen, and I was not disappointed. The melody might be clear as day, but this arrangement jumped off where Mingus started and headed off in finger-popping new direction. “Lush Life” as a solo vibes feature is a thing of beauty. Wayne Shorter’s “Lost” is another highlight on an album full of highlights. Mark my words: if Simon Moullier keeps putting out albums of Inception’s caliber, he will not be under the radar for very long. You read it here first.