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

Joshua Redman – Words Fall Short (Blue Note)

Joshua Redman’s latest album for Blue Note Records, Words Fall Short, is a fascinating listen. The first time I heard it, I hung on the dark timbres that made it sound like the perfect soundtrack for an old school detective movie where every scene is shot in the rain. On second listen, it became apparent that the performances of these songs were something special. The way that the rhythm section of Paul Cornish (piano), Philip Norris (bass) and Nazir Ebo (drums) reacts to Redman’s playing adds layers of depth to the proceedings. And the addition of Melissa Aldana’s tenor saxophone to “So It Goes” and Skyler Tang’s trumpet to “Icarus” adds yet another dimension to those compositions. For Joshua Redman, Words might fall short, but his playing most certainly gets the job done.

Markus Rutz – Many Moons (Third Coast Sounds)

Chicago trumpeter Markus Rutz releases his latest album, Many Moons, this week, with a concert this Wednesday at the Jazz Showcase. Rutz surrounded himself with a stellar cast. The saxophone duties are split between Sharel Cassity and Brice Winston, with Greg Ward joining in on the fun for “Time to Spare.” Adrian Ruiz sits at the piano bench, Matt Gold’s the guitarist, Greg Artry is the drummer, and the bass playing is split between Christian Dillingham and Samuel Peters. Excellent players one and all, for sure. Their combined experience and expertise is evident from the opening notes of “Penumbra,” too. The group swings like a well-oiled machine. On the arrangement of Joe Sample’s “Asso-Kam,” this sextet proves that they can get as funky as they want to. The horns are tight, the rhythm section is on point, I could listen to this groove for hours. “Blue Skies” with its duet of piano and trumpet, is a nice change of pace. Rutz has a lot to be proud of on Many Moons. He’s really done a nice job on this one.  

Mike Freeman ZonaVibe – Circles in a Yellow Room (Vibes Out Front)

Vibraphonist Mike Freeman is out with a new album, Circles in a Yellow Room. Featuring a crack band with Chicagoan Jim Gailloreto on the woodwinds, Guido Gonzalez on the brass, Ruben Rodriguez on bass, Joel Mateo on drums and Roberto Quintero on percussion, this is a lean sounding band, that nonetheless grooves mighty hard throughout the 10 songs on Circles in a Yellow Room. The fun is evident immediately on “Valentine” where Freeman and the rhythm section get to work right away, getting in the pocket and staying there. There are hints of Tito Puente’s vibes playing on “Circles,” and the essence of late 60’s Gary Burton is all over “Back Slap.” I like what Freeman does with his ZonaVibe group, making Latin Jazz on his terms, with his sound. It’s original, and it’s fun. And it’ll be featured on the Latin Bit soon!