Album Review: Jeff Colella and Putter Smith – Between Friends (The American Jazz Institute/Capri Records)

Jeff Colella: (piano); Putter Smith: (bass)

It has been twelve years since pianist Jeff Collella and bassist Putter Smith released their first duo collaboration; Lotus Blossom (Capri, 2014). Now with Between Friends the duo delivers ten extraordinarily performed selections - a trio of originals from Smith’s pen, a handful from pianists Bill Evans, Kenny Barron, Thelonious Monk and Billy Strayhorn, a Ralph Towner effort, and a fine Colella original. In this deeply engaging effort the pair confirms that they are simpatico musically, texturally and probably telepathically.

Smith’s For Us launches the recording. Melodically different and a tad quirky, the track exposes the fascinating interaction between the artists. Catch when things take off in swing. Putter’s Aman Cara VR (written in memory of his is late wife) is a slower, deeply meditative piece. With Putter expressing solo before Colella joins. The simplicity of the melody betrays its emotional depth. Putter’s last melodic statement waves a melancholic goodbye. Bill Evans’ Laurie (written for Evans’ lover and muse, Laurie Verchomin) has the duo in a ballet of beauty. Smith’s voice can be heard behind his statements while Colella comps and plays along. Kenny Barron’s Voyage is a tempo change of pace with the pair in unison on the melody before each expands. It’s a swinging track and a highlight. Monk’s Locomotive is delivered dirge-like, unlike the original which was up-tempo. This somewhat lugubrious rhythmic approach renders the melody with an entirely different and spooky perspective. Putter performed with Monk and the bassist’s approach here is marvelous as Colella reframes the melody. The abrupt suspending ending is perfection.

It is interesting to bring into this discussion each of the players’ respective performing backgrounds and how their performing experiences lend to the brilliance of this effort. Colella, more of a post-Bop stylist has worked in trio environments and with many outstanding vocalists, including Lou Rawls, Jack Jones, Sheila Jordan and Judy Wexler. Smith, conversely, has worked with great pianists such as Alan Broadbent (including a duo album), the aforementioned Thelonious Monk and instrumentalists such as Gary Foster and guitarist, Larry Koonse. The result of all this background is the pair’s combined sensitivity, respect and an urging to communicate throughout this album. One listens with eager anticipation of what follows.

Isfahan has Colella stating and Smith walking. It swings heavy. This a tasteful and most enjoyable rendition and a change of pace. Colella’s A Prayer for the World is a solemn, six-tone, darker melodic message that oddly reflects to this ear a portion of the melody of Without a Song. One might wonder about that unconscious compositional similarity. The funereal mood drags on with an obvious diminishing optimism. Block “Coltrane changes” launch Ralph Towner’s The Glide. The track develops in an exploration with underlying drive. It’s an interesting take. We Will Meet Again takes things out in an upbeat, highly expressive frame with both players sending up fine solo statements. It is a superbly beautiful closer.  

Between Friends offers the listener the opportunity to hear two masters of their craft diving deeply into their creative hearts and souls and harvesting beauty and light. There are scores of subtleties throughout the effort that will surprise and intrigue, warranting pauses and repeated plays. Even the spacings and silences sing. In sum, and with apologies to Mr. Spock, Between Friends is indeed a splendid musical “mind-meld.” Nick Mondello