Micah Thomas, Reveal, Artwork ****

A belated note on a recording that I have only just become aware of. Reveal came out in September but certainly late or not it's worth catching up on what proves a very superior trio record led by a pianist in Micah Thomas that we have long since …

Published: 8 Dec 2023. Updated: 5 months.

A belated note on a recording that I have only just become aware of. Reveal came out in September but certainly late or not it's worth catching up on what proves a very superior trio record led by a pianist in Micah Thomas that we have long since admired in the last few years, especially on records of his like Tide and for his work with Billy Drummond. Here with bassist Dean Torrey who was on Tide and drummer Kayvon Gordon on an album of original composition, there are strong affinities at times with the sound of Keith Jarrett and like Jarrett Thomas is able to tease out tiny subtleties and rhapsodic flourishes in the arc of his soloing to magnify their impact. Torrey combines brilliantly with Thomas on stand-out track 'Sacred Memory' but there are pleasures to be found throughout this fine album which often has a turn the light down low quality to it. SG

Tags: Reviews

Title track of Joel Ross' next album for Blue Note streams

Here's 'Nublues,' the brooding, mysterious, lead-off title track from new generation vibes star Joel Ross' next album due in early 2024. Joining Ross on the album are altoist Immanuel Wilkins, pianist Jeremy Corren, bassist Kanoa Mendenhall, …

Published: 8 Dec 2023. Updated: 5 months.

Next post

Here's 'Nublues,' the brooding, mysterious, lead-off title track from new generation vibes star Joel Ross' next album due in early 2024. Joining Ross on the album are altoist Immanuel Wilkins, pianist Jeremy Corren, bassist Kanoa Mendenhall, drummer Jeremy Dutton and flautist Gabrielle Garo guests. Described by the label as an ''album of blues and ballads as refracted through the prism of one of the most creative modern jazz groups of our time'' the album includes 7 new Ross originals and versions of 'Equinox' and 'Central Park West' by John Coltrane and 'Evidence' by Thelonious Monk. Ross' fourth album for issuing label Blue Note, release date is 9 February.

Joel Ross, photo: Bruce Bennett