Remember that dreadful time when this sceptred isle was ravaged with Covid? It really was dreadful. However, there were times when the clouds parted and, modern technology allowed us a lot of unexpected pleasure with the innovation of the livestream. This meant that instead of us going to them they came to us - from all over the world although, because of the time difference between London and NYC, the most accessible ones were based in London with sessions from Ronnie's, the 606 Club and, closer to home, the Globe and the Prohibition Bar.
The reason I've dragged up those dark days is because some of the best performances were from Kansas Smitty's and this album, led by drummer Kirk, is very much in that vein.
Kirk composed all eight tracks capturing an after-hours feel reminiscent of those late night sessions, back in the day, on 52nd St or maybe up in Harlem or downtown in the Village.
Smith, a New York based Italian, wails like say, Pete Brown, Tab Smith or Benny Carter. Slow and mellow as a cello on the blues, apart from the occasional double-tempo flurry where he breaks the speed limit without shooting off the road. On the movers they're all in the fast lane!
If you like piano blues then Joe Webb is your man. A classic master of the 12 bar format - and, come to that, any other format you care to mention.
On drums, Kirk is perfection and so he should be seeing as how he composed all of the tunes.
Palagio Shout, Honey and Blues Beat are augmented by guitarist Boulton giving the rhythm section a Basie-like feel. Along with bassist Fjeldstad, Snorre and Webb, the three tracks with Boulton on board, despite the fact that the unit comprises of an Italian, an Englishman and two Danes, you have the equivalent of Basie's All-American Rhythm Section.
Even the up-tempo numbers are relaxed making this a beautiful contrast to a lot of the music passed off as jazz these days. Lance
Release date (CD, LP & Digital) is Nov. 15 on Stunt Records.
Opening Night; Palagio Shout; Fontainebleau; Honey; A Thing Like That; One For the Road; Blues Beat; Meditations in Blue
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