16 April 2008
Felicia Carter
Feather / Step Lightly
2007, Alberta Records
This double-CD showcases two sides of singer/songwriter Felicia Carter, a fascinating vocalist with a flirtatious, bent-note delivery that sounds a little like Jolie Holland, perhaps with some Maria Muldaur and a dash of Billie Holiday mixed in. Or maybe even a bit of Blossom Dearie. Disc One, Feather, is a set of sparkling original tunes alternating between old-timey barrelhouse romps and haunting ballads. Carter’s smart lyrics and curious melodies are simply captivating, particularly in the disc’s dynamite first half, with beautiful (or bawdy) support from her “core ensemble” of pianist Bob Butta, drummer Frank Russo, bassist/string player Amy Shook and guitarist Donato Soviero.
The second disc, Step Lightly, is a collection of standards and other straightahead jazz fare. While Carter’s vocals continue to mesmerize, this material doesn’t carry the same spark as the less-predictable Feather. But several original blues numbers combine winking sass and easygoing grooves in an irresistible way. Together, these two discs leave no doubt that Felicia Carter is a special talent, well worth seeking out.
12 April 2008
Jane Ira Bloom
Mental Weather
2008, Outline
The graceful arcs and slippery themes that comprise this nine-part suite carry a suggestion of movement in their lines, a sense of kinetic play that beckons for a choreographer. Bloom’s beautiful, crystal-clear soprano saxophone flutters nimbly through shifting rhythms and lyrical meditations, spiked occasionally with live electronics for a surreal accent. Bassist Mark Helias and pianist Dawn Clement give the suite’s brightly-drawn structures weight and dimension, which drummer Matt Wilson tosses and rolls like a juggler. Intriguingly, Bloom also provides an alternative configuration of the suite’s sections, stashed away in an MP3 file on the disc. This twist allows for a continuous, concert-like approach to the music. But whether heard as nine pieces or only one, Mental Weather is enchanting.
10 April 2008
Eric McPherson
Continuum
2007, Smalls
Long associated with creative icons such as Jackie McLean and Andrew Hill, drummer Eric McPherson proves to be an innovator in his own right with this arresting debut, conceived as a tribute to the previous generation of jazz masters. McPherson often seems to be working through several ideas at once on his kit, spraying percussion left and right over six thoughtfully angular tunes. The mood is exotic in the avant-leaning “3rio Suite,” spiritually grounded in “Black Pearl” — a spoken-word piece honoring to McPherson’s mother — and moodily intense in the two-bass workout “De Javu Monk.” The set goes by almost too quickly, clocking in at a brief 40 minutes. But it’s a treat the whole way.
Get it | Artist's website | Label's website
09 April 2008
Lionel Loueke
Karibu
2008, Blue Note
Like a jumble of pretty trinkets found in a box, this session from guitarist Lionel Loueke has an unstructured, highly impressionistic feel, full of glittering flashes and mysterious depths. Loueke’s trio, with bassist Massimo Biolcati and drummer Ferenc Nemeth, combines friendly elements of Loueke’s African background with laid-back noodling, lopsided rhythms and Loueke’s own quiet falsetto vocal accompaniment for a unique sound that’s appealing yet enigmatic. But when guest stars Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter show up, the music reaches another level. Building vast dreamscapes through Hancock’s lyrical piano abstractions and Shorter’s spiky scribbling on soprano saxophone, Loueke’s bright, singing guitar lines seem to drift down from some higher, more elusive plane of existence.
Get it | Artist's website | Label's website
08 April 2008
Connie Evingson
Little Did I Dream
2008, Minnehaha
Singer Connie Evingson brings a sunny disposition and unerring sense of swing to this upbeat tribute album, performing the Dave Frishberg songbook with the composer himself sitting in the piano chair. An air of breezy nonchalance and a touch of humor mark the set, as Connie & Co. blow through straight-up swing tunes, then settle gently into plush ballads. Frishberg’s wry lyrics and subtle melodies are a fine match for Evingson’s down-to-earth delivery, and the pair mesh beautifully in the disc’s more intimate moments.
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