New Releases Spotlight: Week of October 27, 2014

This week in the WDCB Music Lounge, we’ve got a couple of great new local releases and the latest from one of New York’s most revered Latin Jazz projects.

Spin Quartet - In Circles
First up, Chicago’s own Spin Quartet.  They’ve got a new album out called In Circles (Origin Records).  Led by Seattle transplant Chad McCullough, this is an all-star group, featuring Geof Bradfield on tenor sax, Clark Sommers on bass and Kobie Watkins on drums.  This piano-less quartet can kick up a storm when it wants to (as on “You Will Look for Yours On Earth”) but it can also be nice and mellow (as on “Simple Song”).  Considering the lack of a chording instrument, the band sounds surprisingly full, and it’s definitely energetic and muscular as well.

Ryan Shultz Quintet - Hair Dryers
Also hailing from Chicago is the cast of characters assembled for Ryan Shultz’s latest album, Hair Dryers (also Origin Records).  This is an exciting album, with half the time spent exploring the outer edges of Miles Davis’ 60s quintet and half going for broke with sounds and ideas right out of the mid-70s fusion era.  While during the daytime on ‘DCB Jazz, we’ll be spending almost all of our time with the acoustic music, you can expect to hear some of the more raucous and electric tracks on Notes From the Jazz Underground in the coming weeks as well.

Conrad Herwig - The Latin Side of Joe Henderson
Finally, Conrad Herwig has a new album out in his “The Latin Side of…” series.  This time, they’re checking out the work of Joe Henderson, including a few of the great points from Henderson’s vast library like Inner Urge, Black Narcissus and Mamacita and knock ‘em right out of the park.  Every one of Herwig’s “Latin Side” albums has been well received, and it’s easy to see why.  With a band of New York all-stars that plays really well together, the promise of a new Herwig album is always a promise of a good time to come.  This latest from Conrad is no exception.

I’ll be back next week with three more picks from our currents rack here in the Music Lounge!

…’til next time, Keep Your Ears Open!