CD Review: Samuel Martinelli - Crossing Paths

Samuel Martinelli (drums); Claudio Roditi (trumpet/flugel); Tomoko Ohno (piano); Marcus McLaurine (bass).

(Review by Lance).

An unexpected gem that almost got overlooked.
I'm pleased it didn't.

A delightful album reminiscent of Miles in the post-Parker/pre-electronic years when he was as sweet and as mellow as any of his contemporaries.

Roditi too has that quality. The tone and the ideas are from the same school - cool but not without warmth.

Ohno is as good as any pianist east or west of the sun and comps effectively behind the trumpet. Roditi knows he can fly and that Ohno will catch him if he falls. As for Ohmo, no safety net needed - sound in support and, in her solos, inventive and as creative as any of her peers.

Leader Martinelli is a powerhouse in a Brazillian sort of way. Don't run away folks, it's not yet another bossa-nova album. A lot of people think that Brazillian music begins and ends with the bossa-nova. Martinelli proves otherwise. Although the South American influence is there it blends so seamlessly with the overall modern jazz feel that, apart from the leader's solos, I didn't think of it as a Latin album just a very listenable, and swingy modern quartet.
Local fans might draw comparisions with Pete Tanton's Riviera Jazz Quartet and the similarities, despite the different instrumentation, are there. A compliment to both bands.
Lance. 
On general release and available from the usual outlets.