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

Ekep Nkwelle – Caged Bird (Mack Avenue)

I caught wind of the young vocalist Ekep Nkwelle when she appeared on Kenny Barron’s Songbook album earlier this year. Her performances on “Illusion” and “Sonia Braga” were highlights on an album full of bright moments. So, when her debut album, Caged Bird, came across my desk, of course I was quite excited. And I was right to be. Nkwelle is joined by a fantastic trio with Julius Rodriguez on piano, Russell Hall on bass and Brian Richburg, Jr on drums (Luther Allison plays piano on two of the tracks). She gets right down to business on a spirit-filled rendition of “His Eye is On the Sparrow.” On Abbey Lincoln’s “Caged Bird” she shows off how much control she has with her voice with an arrangement that starts off as sparse as can be. Once Hall and Allison make their way into the mix in earnest, Nkwelle is soaring, and the whole thing is a fascinating way to spend five minutes. “Good Morning, Heartache” and “See See Rider” are the most familiar songs on Caged Bird, and they both get fairly straightforward treatments. I wasn’t familiar with Djavan’s “Amazon Farewell” before Nkwelle’s adaptation here, and after listening to them both back to back, it’s interesting how radically different her version is compared to the original. It might still be a samba, but that’s just about where the similarities end. Hank Ballard’s “Early One Mornin’” is just some good rollicking fun, and that gets us to the heaviest moment on the album, Nkwelle’s take on Pharoah Sanders’ “The Creator Has a Master Plan.” Nkwelle doesn’t stray far from the original here, but frankly, she doesn’t need to. The song sounds beautiful without having to do much to it. If Caged Bird is Ekep Nkwelle’s debut, her subsequent albums are going to be jaw-droppingly fantastic.

Rahsaan Barber – Eternal (Jazz Music City)

Nashville based saxophonist Rahsaan Barber puts out excellent albums once every few years, and his latest excellent album is called Eternal. Joined by guitarist Ted Ludwig, pianist Matt Endahl, bassist Kevin Beardsley and drummer Joshua Hunt, the ensemble he assembled for the album is empathetic and grooving. The opener, “Day Dreamer,” sounds like its name. Drifting on an easy groove, it feels like the soundtrack to a day spent with one’s head in the clouds. “The Skipper” on the other hand, is all business from the first note, with spicy solos from Barber and Ludwig and the rhythm section grooving hard behind them. When it’s Endahl’s turn to solo, the groove changes, but the intensity remains, and it’s an exhilarating ride. “Sanctuary (at Seaside)” is another song that sounds exactly like its title. Finally, this version of “What’s Going On” needs to get talked about. It’s a radical transformation of the song in a way that I haven’t heard anyone do before, and it really brings the beauty of the melody out in the open to be enjoyed in a different light. Throughout Eternal, Rahsaan Barber shows immense talent, craft and taste with his songwriting, arranging and playing.

Tyler Henderson – The Long Game (Cellar Music)

New York City based pianist Tyler Henderson recently released his latest album, The Long Game. Featuring Caleb Tobocman on bass and Hank Allen-Barfield on drums, this is a lovely trio disc that covers a lot of ground in its nine tracks. If there’s one word to sum up what’s happening here, it’s comfortable. “I’m Gonna Laugh You Out of My Life” starts its life as a ballad before building into a delicate swing that feels just right. Jimmy Van Heusen’s “All This and Heaven, Too,” on the other hand, keeps things at a simmer. And that leaves us with the originals, which are excellent. “Covered Bridge Bounce” does sound like its name and does indeed have a nice little bounce to it. “Mahogany” is an energetic Jazz Waltz. “Tokyo Nights” is a barnburner, and “The Green Groove” is a medium-slow swinger that one can’t help but bob their head to. Saxophonist Jacob Chung joins in on the fun for the last track, “Eight Ball,” and everyone leaves on a bright note. Tyler Henderson is still a young cat making his way in New York City, but he’s already got plans on playing The Long Game. Which is good for all of us, if he keeps making records like this.