What's New on WDCB... with Paul Abella
Richard D. Johnson – Warm Embrace (Shifting Paradigm)
About a month before the world locked down in 2020, pianist Richard D. Johnson, saxophonist Gregory Tardy, bassist Jeremy Boettcher, drummer Greg Artry and vocalist Alyssa Allgood hopped into a studio to record the tracks that would become Warm Embrace. “East of the Sun” and “Moonlight in Vermont” are lovely takes on Great American Songbook gems. “Dear Ruby” is a nice rendition of the lyricized version of Monk’s “Ruby, My Dear,” and “Warm Embrace” is lifted by a great groove and some wonderful playing from Tardy. Frankly, there’s wonderful playing to be found throughout Warm Embrace, and that makes for a strong listening experience from the beginning to the end of this album.
Marcello Carelli – First Impressions (Cellar Music)
Interestingly enough, First Impressions is the second album by drummer Marcello Carelli. And, with two members of the legendary fusion band Yellowjackets (saxophonist Bob Mintzer and pianist Russell Ferrante) along for the ride, I will admit, I was expecting something quite a bit different than what I heard. Bassist Mike Gurrola rounds out this quartet, and together, they make some quite in the pocket and swinging sounds that show off their influences, but rarely resort to mimicry. The title track is a nice, tight swinger, and a great way to close out the album. “Ahead of the Curve” opens up the album roaring out of the gate, letting the listener know that the four gentlemen we’re hearing came to play. And, in 2025, you don’t hear too many artists crafting boogaloos that fully bring the vibe back to 1965, but on “Play it Cool,” Carelli does exactly that. First Impressions has indeed left a lasting impression upon me.
Muneer Nasser – Blue House Session (Vertical Visions)
Muneer Nasser is the son of Jamil Nasser, the longtime bassist with Ahmad Jamal. So, we know he came from a musical family, and that he heard lots of absolutely stellar music growing up. On Blue House Sessions, we get to hear the music Muneer is making with his band, which includes Elijah Easton on the saxophone, Allyn Johnson at the piano bench, James King playing the bass, and John Lamkin III behind the drums. They run through six songs on Blue House Sessions: two of Nasser’s originals, a tune by Reggae legend Burning Spear, Miles Davis’ “All Blues,” the standard “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” and a future standard from the pen of Roy Hargrove. If that sounds like a varied list of material, it is. Nasser covers an impressive amount of ground in such a short amount of time. Every song has a different flavor, like the funky boogaloo of “Nasser’s Blues,” the uptempo Jazz Calypso of “Cancel Culture” or the assured swing of “Public Eye.”