Resilience
O's Notes: Swiss pianist and composer Sebastien Ammann has been active on the New York jazz scene for over a decade. Resilience is the second recording for Ammann’s Color Wheel, a quintet with Michael Attias (a-sax), Samuel Blaser (tb), Noah Garabedian (b), and Nathan Ellman-Bell (d). The music is highly improvised over structured rhythms that keep most of the performance in bounds. We found love in “Untangled”, the title track and “Yayoi” inspired by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.
Early Morning Star
O's Notes: Pianist, composer Bob Gluck assembles a quintet with vocalist Andrea Wolper, Kinan Azmeh (cl), Ken Filiano (b) and Tani Tabbal (d). Andrea’s lyrics are rather poetic in a theatrical performance that is packed with emotion. Filiano’s generous use of the bow adds additional depth as Gluck leads fleeting passages over eleven tracks. The musicians are fueled by the collective energy. “Here Now” is among the best with excellent work by Filiano and Azmeh.
Piece of Mind
O's Notes: NOLA-based drummer Adonis Rose brings it on Piece Of Mind, recorded live at the Blue Llama Jazz Club in Ann Arbor, MI. The funky backdrop from bassist Jasen Weaver with Rose is established on the first track “Keep Your Soul Together” with stirring solos from Maurice Brown (t), Tia Fuller (a-sax) and Miki Hayama (keyboards). That sets the stage for a really engaging session. Sasha Masakowski softens the mood on “Entropy” and Fuller shines on “Nostalgic Impressions”. Whether you are chilling on the title track or jammin’ hard on the New Orleans beat of “Maurice’s Rap”, this is a winning hand.
Know Say or See
O's Notes: Saxophonist Benny Ruben lights it up on the swinging “Or See” and “Flint Water Crisis” with passionate pleas of emotion. Those emotions turns to warm passion on “Darn That Dream”. Pianist Lex Korten stretches out on ”NYC Urge” and ”Kiss Me Right” balancing the attack. Adam Olszewki (b) and JK Kim (d) anchor the rhythms and keep things flowing making Know Say or See a worthy listen.