Levy's eleventh album as a leader yet only his first to grace these pages although he did show up favourably on an album led by bassist Fabrizio Sciacca back in August 2019.
To quote from the notes, Levy has been a mainstay on the New York jazz scene for some 40 years, his rich, full tone and polished improvisations have earned him the sobriquet of modern master. On the strength of this album and, presumably the other ten, that sobriquet is well earned.
They're all originals covering a variety of tempos and moods relevant to the title. For example he chose to name the opening track EMail as the first two notes are the same as his inbox chime. Amazing - inspiration surrounds us and we don't know it!
Danza de Berrios is dedicated to the late drummer Steve Berrios. Levy pays his musical respects without any maudlin sentimentality.
Calcata, seemingly a mysterious Italian town near Rome dating back some nine centuries. It also hosted an artist's colony in the 1970s which gives Levy and the boys plenty to work on which they do producing artistry of their own in the process.
Twiddle Twaddle is dedicated to a friend in Rome who uses the term to describe chit-chatting - me and you too signora. Super solos all round and a surprise ending that could equate to "well I never!" at the end of a chit-chat.
Coming to Terms is gentle and melodic relating to whatever slings and arrows outrageous fortune throws at you. Not always easy although Levy makes it seem possible.
Saint Simons emerged from a family winter vacation on St. Simons, an island off the coast of the American state of Georgia. Straight down the middle tenor playing, great piano solo and a round or two of fours from tenor, piano and drums - why are bass players rarely given solo space in these exchanges?
Personable offers more hard bop tenor over a rock/Latin rhythm and, of course, piano artistry from Perdomo.
Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, is a place where everyone in the UK has holidayed except me. Levy and his wife planned to go for an exotic vacation until a volcano on an adjacent island showed signs of activity. Wisely they cancelled and Levy wrote a tune instead which would also save them on air fares. Speaking for myself I'd sooner listen to the tune, with its infectious rhythm, than go to the place itself.
Leading Tone utilises counterpoint between tenor and bass before it all explodes in different directions. Interesting conception - splendid bass/piano/drum lines. Garnett solos on cymbals before hitting the skins.
Haiku, the form of Japanese poetry that has three lines each with five, seven and five syllables respectively transferred here into musical terms - not a foot-tapper.
Partido Tenor relates to the Brazilian partido alto rhythm. Sounds like a bossa to me! Whatever, solos capture the feeling.
Postscript is EMail recapitulated over a different rhythm but the same chime.
An excellent album that had me wondering just how many bands of this calibre are there in NYC? Lance
1 comment :
Thank you ,Sir! Very glad you enjoyed the CD. I will be touring in the UK with a co-lead international quartet with the great UK guitarist ,Phil Robson. Dates in London, Birmingham, Leicester, Derby, Poole and Oxford. Hope to see you!
Post a Comment