New Releases Spotlight: Week of July 21, 2014

This week in the music lounge, we’ve got three really great discs to talk about…

Joshua Redman - Trios Live

First up, Joshua Redman has a new album out called Trios Live on Nonesuch.  If you’ve never seen Joshua Redman live, this might make you want to change that.  Redman is joined by drummer Greg Hutchinson and bassists Matt Penman (on most of the tracks) or Reuben Rogers.  There are three well played standards ("Mack the Knife," "Never Let Me Go" and Thelonious Monk’s "Trinkle Tinkle"), three of Redman’s originals (which are all excellent) and a cover of Led Zeppelin’s "The Ocean" that will bring to mind those classic Ramsey Lewis live albums from the 1960’s.  As heady as this disc can get, more than anything else, it’s fun. 

Azar Lawrence - The Seeker

Azar Lawrence’s new album, The Seeker, is also a live affair.  And frankly, it’s one of the best straight ahead discs I’ve heard in a while.  Right in the pocket, it takes a few chances here and there, but mostly looks back to early 60’s John Coltrane and mid-sixties Blue Note fare for inspiration.   Lawrence has played with McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw and Earth, Wind and Fire, and it all shows at different points throughout the album.  The Trane vibe is helped along by having Jeff “Tain” Watts on the drums, Essiet Okun Essiet handles the bass duties, Nicholas Payton is outstanding on the trumpet, and I’m hoping we’ll hear more from pianist Benito Gonzalez in the near future.

Rebirth Brass Band - Move Your Body

Finally, as a fan of brass bands, I was excited to see new music from the Rebirth Brass Band out of New Orleans.  Formerly led by trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, these guys are all about the party, and they do not let you forget it.  Titles like "Rebirth Makes You Move," "Rebirth Groove" and "Who’s Rockin’, Who’s Rollin’" (not to mention the cover of "Your Mama Don’t Dance") they’re sure to make sure you know WHO is leading the party, too.  Their new disc is called Move Your Body, and it’ll be hard to miss when it starts coming through your speakers.  My advice?  Turn it up.

We’ll have more great new music for you next week in the Music Lounge.  We’ll see you then!