THE JAZZ CHILL CORNER NEW RELEASES: GIL MELLE QUARTET - QUADRAMA; THE DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET - BOSSA NOVA USA; BILLY HIGGINS - SOWETO

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NEW RELEASES: GIL MELLE QUARTET - QUADRAMA; THE DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET - BOSSA NOVA USA; BILLY HIGGINS - SOWETO Posted: 07 Apr 2014 06:03 AM PDT GIL MELLE QUARTET - QUADRAMA Sublime work from one of the true originals of 50s jazz! Gil Melle was a baritonist – but with a sound and approach that was completely unique – very different than bigger names on the instrument, like Jimmy Giuffre or Pepper Adams. He had an icy touch that was surprising for the instrument, crafted carefully in well-written compositions with longtime partner Joe Cinderella, an equally compelling guitarist who's working with Melle on this quartet session that also includes Shadow Wilson and George Duvivier. The tracks aren't as way-out as some of Melle's work, but they've got an edge that's undeniable – and which clearly set the tone for some of Jimmy Giuffre's work of the same period. Titles include "Walter Ego", "Full House", "Quadrama", and "Rush Hour In Hong Kong". (SHMCD pressing.) ~ Dusty Groove THE DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET - BOSSA NOVA USA Way more than just a gimmicky bossa nova session – and a surprisingly great showcase for the inventive rhythms of the Brubeck group, and the sensitive alto work of Paul Desmond! The record's got a really different feel than some of Dave's other work for Columbia – in that the modernism is put slightly on the back burner – letting drummer Joe Morello snap out with some lightly gliding percussion that's a bit more straight ahead than usual, and which offers a unique take on the bossa groove. Paul Desmond's the real star of the set, though – and his alto steps out here with the best gentle presence of his later work for RCA and A&M – beautifully blown throughout, and with a tone that most other players would die for! Titles include "Bossa Nova USA", "Coracao Sensivel", "Theme For June", "Lamento", and "Cantiga Nova Swing". ~ Dusty Groove BILLY HIGGINS - SOWETO Wonderfully hip work from drummer Billy Higgins – a crucial session from the end of the 70s, and one that shows just how far he'd come since the decade before! Higgins has always been great, but here he works in the company of some key Eastern Rebellion musicians – Bob Berg on tenor and Cedar Walton on piano, who lineup with bassist Tony Dumas in a wonderfully deep-voiced quartet! The rhythms and approaches are a bit different than on the Higgins sessions with Eastern Rebellion – especially on the album's title track, which features some very unusual spiritual work on percussion – and the album's closing track, which showcases some work by Higgins on guitar. In between, the album's got a solid swing that really rounds things out wonderfully – and titles include "Back To Bologna", "Bahia Bahia Bahia", "Neptune", and "Soweto". ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: U-NAM - SOMETHING'S UP E.P; THE COOKERS QUINTET - COOKERS QUINTET VOL. 1; LAURA DESBERG - SIDEWAYS Posted: 07 Apr 2014 05:55 AM PDT U-NAM - SOMETHING'S UP E.P Guitarist U-Nam's latest is the "Something's Up" [E.P.] Inlcuded on the EP is a playalong version of the song, (also known as a "Karaoke" version). Also on this release is an unreleased version of "C'est le Funk" (Radio Edit) which is actually the version that you might heard on the radio. The title trak, "Something's Up" is climbing up the charts all around the world, and has been Number 1 on the French radio station, AmysFM, 2 months in a row. Tracklisting: Something's Up (Album Version); Something's Up (Summer Radio Edit); Something's Up (Playalong Mix); C'est le Funk feat. Nivo Deux (Album Version); and C'est le Funk feat. Nivo Deux (Radio Edit). THE COOKERS QUINTET - COOKERS QUINTET VOL. 1 A sweet little combo who definitely live up to their name – and work here in a very old school approach to jazz! The group's got a great groove right from the start – maybe not as full-on modal as Five Corners Quintet, but somewhere in a same space – but they also don't just let the rhythms determine their solo expressions – and really step out here in a great range of colors and tones! Key solos come from Ryan Oliver on tenor and Tim Hamel on trumpet – and the group also features Richard Whiteman on piano, Alex Coleman on bass, and Morgan Childs on drums – all great players who also wrote all the material for the album as well. The sound is a bit in keeping with the retro look of the cover – but is never just a retro gimmick, and instead has a classically well-crafted jazz appeal. Titles include "The Ramble", "Blues To Booker", "Obligatory Blues", "Mudbug Shuffle", "Open Air", "The Fork Test", and "See You Next Thursday". ~ Dusty Groove LAURA DESBERG - SIDEWAYS A really wonderful little record – from a singer we already want to hear more from! Lauren Desberg's a fresh young voice in jazz – and she's taken up here by the great Gretchen Parlatto, who produced the record, and also appears on one track as well – a great match, given that Lauren's style is as forward-thinking as Parlatto's! The tunes have this sweet, soulful, blocky kind of style – a contemporary jazz glide that almost reminds us of some of Robert Glasper's work with more jazz-based singers – but with a bit of a nod back to older modes as well. Backings are by a small combo that features Taylor Eigsti on piano and Dayna Stephens on tenor – and although most tunes are older, they've got a very fresh feel – thanks to the arrangements, production, and presentation. Includes a great take on "Mister Magic" – plus "Come Running To Me", "I Wanna Be Like You", "Spring Is Here", and "You Go To My Head". (Includes download of entire album.) ~ Dusty Groove