Loueke, Lionel
Pias, 2021, CD
Instrument: Guitar
Issue: 27.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Pop+Jazz
Performance: 4
Sound: 3
Score: 74
O’s Notes: Guitarist, vocalist Lionel Loueke was born in Benin on the West Coast of Africa influenced by legendary jazz guitarists Wes Montgomery, George Benson and Joe Pass. Close Your Eyes is his first album of standards, presented in a trio format with Reuben Rogers on bass and Eric Harland on drums. Louke’s reimagined melodies morph into integrated solos personalizing the work. Rogers and Harland are engaged participants that help make this a winning session, particularly for guitar lovers. Highlights of this set are “Close Your Eyes”, “Naima”, “Footprints” and “It Might As Well Be Spring”.
Publicist: Fully Altered Media