New Release Round-up,
Jazz New Release Round-up - 16th October 2020
Hello and welcome to the latest new release round-up. This week I've been particularly enjoying bassist Ferdinando Romano's debut recording with his seven-piece band, Totem, a lovingly crafted suite of pieces featuring the purity of Ralph Alessi's trumpet tones, and Surprise Chef's Daylight Savings - so-cool-it-hurts jazz funk from down-under. If you enjoy a challenge there's improv from the Shifa Trio, truly a group exploring the fringes of the fringe, and Erland Helbø's trio takes us on a compelling jazz rock trip. On the reissue front we have Chris Barber's band captured live in jubilant form in 1963, and I couldn't resist drawing attention to Chrome's truly bizarre Alien Soundtracks from 1978... it's not strictly jazz, but it's not strictly anything else either!
On his debut recording as leader, Italian bassist Ferdinando Romano brings together a well-balanced septet for a thoroughly enjoyable set that manages to cover quite a range of emotions without stepping too far “out”. The impressive opening track ‘The Gecko’ gives you everything in a nutshell - terrific ensemble playing and solos at an easy-going mid-tempo, and Ralph Alessi’s trumpet sounding as majestic as ever. Romano’s bass and Manuel Magrini’s nicely poised piano chords work especially well together on tunes like ‘Wolf Totem’ and ‘Memories Reprise’, and Nazareno Caputo lays down some terrific vibes in the choppy ‘Sea Crossing Part 2’. The warm recorded sound also helps make Totem an extremely likeable disc.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
The first thing that hit me about Melbourne based jazz-funk unit Surprise Chef’s Daylight Savings is the spot-on production. The chunky bass takes centre stage, brilliantly interlocking with the drums which seem to surround it, soon followed by some of the tastiest mono synth leads I’ve heard in a while - think a less piercing ‘Summer Madness’ and you’re in the right zone. Apparently, the recording sessions commenced on the first day of summer in 2019 (hence the title), with the aroma from a nearby Jasmine tree (pictured on the cover) wafting through the studio, and there's certainly a heady atmosphere captured on these tracks. Fans of Khruangbin styled instrumental psychedelia should give this a try.
Available Format: CD
The compositions by guitarist Erland Helbo and bassist Frode Berg on Improve Reality unashamedly recall the seventies glory days of jazz rockers like John McLaughlin, Terje Rypdal, Pat Metheny and John Abercrombie, or for a more recent touchstone, the Scorch Trio of Raoul Björkenheim. LIke all of those artists EH3 balance the freak-outs with more lyrical tracks like Erika, which throws in an enjoyably cheesy guitar synth in for good measure. Berg clearly relishes his slap-bass moment on ‘The Guys Over There’. Snarky Puppy fans should find plenty to chew on here.
Available Format: CD
Matt Groom - Head of Jazz
