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

Kurt Elling and the WDR Big Band – In the Brass Palace (Big Shoulders Records)

Chicago’s very own Kurt Elling has just released a new album on his own Big Shoulders label, In the Brass Palace. It’s an ambitious album that puts the WDR Big Band, Bob Mintzer and Elling in the same room, and the results don’t disappoint. Mintzer’s arrangements are sharp and swinging. Elling’s vocals soar above the band, and the WDR Big Band is filled with some excellent soloists. Kurt looks back to his rendition of Joe Jackson’s “Steppin’ Out” to get the festivities up and moving. At this point, I consider this one to be as much of a Kurt Elling song as it is a Joe Jackson tune. The vocalese on “My Very Own Ride” (John Scofield’s “Jeep on 35”) and “They Speak No Evil” (Wayne Shorter’s “Speak No Evil”) are inventive and impressive. I really appreciated the rendition of Duke Ellington’s “I Like the Sunrise,” which is quite lovely. In the Brass Palace is both a fantastic vocal record and a great big band album, too.

Charlie Apicella & Iron City – Live in NYC (Zoho Music)

Charlie Apicella & Iron City make it clear from the first notes of “Oye Como Va” that Live in NYC isn’t just an album, it’s an event. Apicella takes no prisoners in that solo which feels heftier than its three minute and thirty second run time. He then impresses again on “Lemon Rind.” On “Remembering B.B. King,” we get a slow burn jam that does indeed do a great job of pointing out what made B.B. King so spectacular. Later on, there’s “Remembering Jimi Hendrix,” and clearly, Hendrix was a huge influence on Apicella; this is no surface level tribute. This solo guitar tribute references Hendrix ballads like “Little Wing” and “May This Be Love” with a profound sense of beauty and restraint. “Idris,” presumably named for the legendary drummer Idris Muhammad, feels like those funky, late 60’s Blue Note organ albums that work precisely because of Muhammad’s mammoth groove. “Sparks” does likewise for guitarist Melvin Sparks. “64 Cadillac” is a breezy Bossa Nova, and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” is charming. Live in NYC is not only a cool record, but it also makes the case that if Charlie Apicella & Iron City ever make their way to Chicago, you should check them out live here too.

Chris Madsen – Threefold (Calligram Records)

If there’s one thing that’s apparent right off the bat when listening to Threefold, the new album from saxophonist Chris Madsen, bassist Clark Sommers and drummer Dana Hall, it’s how they just make it all sound so easy. Hall, Sommers and Madsen sound absolutely relaxed throughout the proceedings. On the best of these eight tracks, like “Shadow People,” for example, they sound like they’re breathing as one. Of course, Sommers and Hall play together so often in so many different settings, that they’re bound to sound practically inseparable, and the light, airy funky groove that they get going on “Dream Music” is proof of that. Exploratory Jazz like what’s found on Threefold is rarely this listenable or fun. But Madsen, Sommers and Hall pull off that trick while sounding like they don’t have a care in the world.