Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter, SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree, Edition ****

More from Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter following the exhilarations of Super Blue a couple of years ago here once again with Butcher Brown drummer Corey Fonville and bassist-keyboardist DJ Harrison. Elling kicks things off to the manner born on …

Published: 15 Sep 2023. Updated: 10 days.

More from Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter following the exhilarations of Super Blue a couple of years ago here once again with Butcher Brown drummer Corey Fonville and bassist-keyboardist DJ Harrison. Elling kicks things off to the manner born on Joni Mitchell's 'Black Crow' on what proves not at all an introverted chin-striking affair at all because Elling is the complete opposite - as extrovert as you will ever hear him. A set that folds in Bob Dorough, Ron Sexsmith and Billy Collins numbers Elling provides lyrics for Ornette Coleman's 'Lonely Woman' and Hunter too adds a good deal of buoyancy and a lively horn section is patient responder to the boisterous rhythms spilling out just about everywhere. An album that breathes new life into contemporary jazz vocals approaches once again. Out today

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Joshua Redman feat Gabrielle Cavassa, Where Are We, Blue Note ****

Sax icon Joshua Redman rings the changes here with his first album for Blue Note and his first featuring a singer - in this case Gabrielle Cavassa. With his signature 1990s melodic and accessible style still very much a factor in his work there are …

Published: 14 Sep 2023. Updated: 11 days.

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Sax icon Joshua Redman rings the changes here with his first album for Blue Note and his first featuring a singer - in this case Gabrielle Cavassa. With his signature 1990s melodic and accessible style still very much a factor in his work there are a few twists and turns along the way provided by pianist Aaron Parks who adds plenty of sparkiness harmonically. Brian Blade on drums is the ideal companion going back many years with his fellow American. Kurt Rosenwinkel pops up as a guest along the way as does vibist Joel Ross, trumpeter Nicholas Payton and guitarist Peter Bernstein. With tracks themed to reflect US cities Redman's version of Bruce Springsteen’s 'Streets of Philadelphia' is a must with Rosenwinkel on hand for an added dimension and the way Redman slides from Count Basie to Sufjan Stevens on 'Goin' to Chicago Blues' even enters earworm territory. Out tomorrow