What a delightful gem this is!
Emmet has a delicate touch that many classical pianists would die for. That, at the drop of a hat, he can also morph into stride à la Fats or bop à la Bud or take Oscar to a split decision, make him the real deal, no question about it.
Five originals and four songbook classics provide the material for 45 minutes of sheer magic. Whether fronting a trio, quartet or quintet everything gels even when Cecily is shaking her koshkah.*
The tracks with the horns are excellent with effective solos all round but it is the trio tracks that captured me the most even though tenor, trumpet and trombone all have solos that on any other day would have won them a gig at the White House (Kamala knows her jazz). The title of the album refers to Cohen's late elder brother Michael Funmi Ononaiye who died last year. Funmi, it seems was a philosophical person with many of his pearls of wisdom quoted in the notes.
If you got hooked on Cohen's lockdown sessions (I think they're still going on a weekly basis) you'll find this album is a must and even if you didn't you will now. Well worth checking out. Lance
*There is a variety of spellings for this instrument of West African origin. I've used the one quoted in the album notes.
Lion Song; Surrey With the Fringe on Top; Vibe Provider; Unblock the Love; Henei Ma Tov; If This Isn't Love; Everlasting; Time on my Hands; Emmet's Blues.
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