Carl Clements and The Real Jazz Trio: Retrospective
This is a follow-up to Carl Clements’ critically acclaimed 2023 CD A Different Light (Greydisc GDR3581). Despite the album title, Retrospective is really a contemporary look at some of his compelling originals, making their recording debut here. A thoroughly well-schooled musician, having graduated summa cum laude from Berklee College in 1987, he is currently a saxophone instructor at the highly acclaimed Amherst College in Massachusetts. A multi-instrumentalist, he is limited here to just tenor and soprano saxophones together with his ancient bansuri flute. Throughout this intriguing release he reveals an impressive command of both the western and eastern traditions.
Over the years Clements has frequently collaborated with The Real Jazz Trio, which achieves a sympathetic and well-integrated ensemble sound, reflecting familiarity both with the music and with each other. Clements’ fluent tenor, revealing some Jerry Bergonzi and Chris Potter influences, is heard on One For Joe and Selene In Repose. He gets a full, rich soprano sound on Mobius, Remnants, Retrospect and A Change Of Rhythm. As the latter’s title implies, it has Rhythm changes but modified meter, namely 7/4 – probably not what George Gershwin had in mind in 1930 when he wrote it for his Girl Crazy show. That production also gave us Embraceable You and But Not For Me. The bansuri flute from the Indian sub-continent is similar to the traditional instrument except fingers cover the holes and not keys. With its bamboo construction Clements achieves a suitably ethereal sound on Almodovar, Procession and Kadam. Finally, hats off to Klaus Endel at Sound & More for the superb clarity and ensemble balance on this recording.
Discography
One For Joe; Mobius; Almodovar; Procession; Remnants; Selene In Repose; A Change Of Rhythm; Retrospect; Kadam (62.51)
Clements (ts, ss, f); Jean-Yves Jung (p); Johannes Schaedich (b); Jens Biehi (d). Darmstadt, Germany, 5-6 August 2024.
Greydisc GDR 3599
Alexis Cole: A Kiss In The Dark
A glance at Alexis Cole’s discography reveals a fondness for classics from the songbook repertoire. Along the way she has also recorded an album devoted to songs from Walt Disney films (Venus VHCD 78170); A Salute To Paul Simon (Chesky Records JD381) and a tribute to Pepper Adams titled Joy Road (Motéma Music No 5). On this latest release she performs several rare gems while taking a fresh look at some old warhorses. With her rich contralto she displays perfect diction and intonation together with a relaxed, laid-back delivery worthy of Chris Connor. The stellar accompaniment is provided by Dan Block (a Lestorian with a melodic concept worthy of Stan Getz) and Saul Rubin’s Joe Pass-inspired guitar. Pat O’Leary (bass) and Phil Stewart (drums) discharge their responsibilities with aplomb.
Ms Cole has really discovered some obscure material here: Ain’t We Got Fun was written by Richard Whiting (Margaret’s father) in 1920. Doris Day recorded it in 1953 but Peggy Lee’s 1958 recording really put it on the map. Whip-Poor-Will is a neglected Jerome Kern composition first recorded by Isham Jones in 1921. Jones also debuted Do You Ever Think of Me? that year too. Louis Prima introduced There’s A Broken Heart For Every Light On Broadway in 1945 and Mel Tormé recorded it in 1949 and 1964. A Kiss In The Dark dates from 1922. It found favour with Mantovani and Liberace but Ted Heath’s 1950 recording will be of more interest to Jazz Journal readers.
Cole’s subtle approach gives a fresh spin on staples like Limehouse Blues (which is not actually a blues), Chicago and After You’ve Gone. It’s nice to be reacquainted with one of the great songs from the Depression era – Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out. Pinetop Smith introduced it in January 1929 but it has always been associated with Bessie Smith who recorded it four months later.
Discography
Ain’t We Got Fun; Whip-Poor-Will; Do You Ever Think Of Me?; Limehouse Blues; Chicago; Bimini Bay; Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out; After You’ve Gone; There’s A Broken Heart For Every Light On Broadway; A Kiss In The Dark; Indian Summer; Turn Back The Universe And Give Me Yesterday; Let The Rest Of The World Go By; Till We Met Again (53.31)
Cole (v); Dan Block (ts, cl); Saul Rubin (elg); Pat O’Leary (b); Phil Stewart (d). New York, 19 December 2013.
Chesky Records EVSA3080S
Gabriele Comeglio: The Journey
Gabriele Comeglio is considered to be one of the most important Italian arrangers and conductors. He joined the RAI Rhythm Orchestra in Milan as lead alto in 1983 and two years later he formed his own big band – The Jazz Company. 1985 was the year he graduated from the Berklee College of Music where the distinguished faculty included Herb Pomeroy and Phil Wilson. Over the years he has collaborated with Bob Mintzer, Jerry Bergonzi, Ronnie Cuber, Martial Solal, Lee Konitz, Stephane Grappelli and Charlie Mariano. He has also appeared in concert with Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Martha Reeves.
This reissue features recordings he made between 1995 and 2021 with an international group of performers. Shuffle Tune has a foot-tapping Woody Herman groove with notable contributions from Comeglio on alto and Mike Davis on trombone. Basic Instinct is a rock-oriented chart with the leader revealing his Phil Woods roots. The uptempo Song For Caterina finds tenor-man Bob MIntzer negotiating key changes with ease. Bop Street has Bob Malach and Randy Brecker soloing inventively over extended ostinatos and there is some more fine Brecker on the funky Just In Case, this time on flugelhorn. The leader is centre-stage on For My Parents, a tender ballad that really deserves a lyric. He also displays impressive command of the baritone on South. I would like to thank producer Maurizio Bizzochetti for translating the Italian sleeve-note for me.
Discography
Shuffle Tune; Basic Instinct; Song For Caterina; Bop Street; Just In Case; For My Parents; Night Roads; South; Che M’Importa Del Mondo; Frully; Alice; Lullaby Of The Leaves; Prelude (68.14)
Selective personnel: Randy Brecker (t); Mike Davis (tb); Comeglio (as, ts, bar); Bob Mintzer (ts); Roger Rosenberg (bar); Bill Mays, Claudio Angeleri (p); Andrea Cassaro (b); Bill Goodwin (d). Various USA and Italian locations, 1995-2021.
Dodicilune Dischi ED575
