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

Pharez Whitted - The Lindy Bop (self-produced)

It should come as no surprise that Pharez Whitted’s new album, The Lindy Bop, is a powerful, swinging, and incredibly well-executed album. So, as soon as I saw the album cross my desk, I knew I was in for a good time. And I was right. His bandmates here are Edwin Bayard on tenor sax, Lovell Bradford at the piano bench, Jonathan Wood playing bass and Jakabu Griffin behind the drums. The album features three of Whitted’s originals, the absolutely barn-burning title track, the elegantly swinging “Duke” and the funky “Cuttin’ it Close.” The other three songs are a foot-tapping version of Wayne Shorter’s “Adam’s Apple,” a genuinely interesting arrangement of Tadd Dameron’s “Hot House,” and a take on “You Don’t Know What Love Is” that hints at Ahmad Jamal’s take on “Poinciana” without ever actually going there. It’s pretty cool. The net result is an album with six tracks and six different views of a great Chicago musician.

Heisenberg Uncertainty Players – Return to the Enchanted Forest (self-produced)

John Dorhauer leads the Heisenberg Uncertainty Players, an 18 piece big band who have just released their latest album, Return to the Enchanted Forest. A little like Maria Schneider’s Orchestra, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Players’ music just sounds huge. “Catalpa,” “Canyonero,” and “Echolocation” all feel as if they are the scores for someone’s epic adventure. The two arrangements of pop songs here, “I Want it That Way” and “Hold On” are drastically different from the originals; they’re practically new tunes. Return to the Enchanted Forest is a downright fascinating album.

Joe Magnarelli – Decidedly So (Cellar Music)

Clearly, trumpeter Joe Magnarelli decided to start 2026 off with a bang, and he succeeded. Decidedly So. Joined by trombonist Steve Davis, pianist Jeremy Manasia, bassist Clovis Nicholas and drummer Rodney Green, this is one hard swinging unit. From the opening notes of “D.J.” it is clear that we are going to be groovin’ hard for the next 45 or so minutes. “Decidedly So” features excellent solos from Magnarelli, Davis and Manasia. Magnarelli’s ballad, “10th Anniversary” is a lovely melody with some charming solos. The next three tracks are all standards that are played with respect and restraint: “This Nearly Was Mine,” “When I Grow Too Old to Dream” and “When I Fall in Love.”  The album closes the way it begins, with another barnburner, “Jimmy’s Blues.” Did I enjoy listening to Joe Magnarelli’s latest album? Yes. Decidedly So.