Gift Ideas of the Digital Variety

Not a very clever headline but both these new recordings are worth sharing with friends and fans of creative music!

Photo: Clara Pereira

Truth be told, I've known trumpeter, composer, and arranger Ron Horton for nearly three decades. I first heard his playing as a member of the Jazz Composer's Collective and absolutely loved his 2002 Fresh Sound New Talent recording "Subtextures" (still do––check it out, the sounds are timeless, exciting, and quite adventurous).  We've chatted a few times, most recently in 2021 upon the release of the Newvelle Records collection "Kimbrough", organized by label co-head Elan Mehler upon the death of his former teacher and friend, the pianist Frank Kimbrough.  Horton and Kimbrough were both charter members of the JCC as well as great friends.  Both musicians were aficionados of the music of Andrew Hill (1931-2007)––in fact, Horton helped the older man put together a sextet and material for "Dusk" which was released by Palmetto Records in 2000 as well as 2002's Big Band recording "A Beautiful Day", also on Palmetto. After Andrew Hill passed, Horton continued to play the composer's music in his various groups, including a Dectet and Sextet.

In 2016, the trumpeter brought the Sextet––pianist Kimbrough, alto saxophonist John O'Gallagher, tenor saxophonist Marc Mommaas, bassist Dean Johnson, and drummer Tim Horner (alto saxophoniust and bass clarinetist Marty Ehrlich replaces O'Gallagher on five of the 13 tracks)––into Systems Two studios in Brooklyn, NY.  Newvelle Records usually only releases albums that they record but after hearing this music, Mehler said 

he most definitely release this music.  "A Prayer for Andrew" is a two Lp-set (also available as a digital download) that features seven Hill pieces and six Horton originals.  If you love music that pushes at borders, that roils from the inside out at times or can gently put you in a positive frame of mind, this recording is for you.  It's so good to hear more music from Kimbrough who died suddenly on December 30, 2020.  Listen to how he rolls his solo on Horton's "Home" or how he sets such a torrid pace on Hill's "15-8".  

Photo: Jimmy Katz

Scroll down and listen to the band drive through "Venture Inward", first recorded in 1968 by Hill for his "Grass Roots" album (Blue Note).  The solos, while short, have such power without losing direction.  Andrew Hill's music often flirted with free tempi yet kept moving forward, looking ahead, seeking. Check out "Dusk", a tune with an irresistible bounce to hear how the composer (in this instance, Mr. Hill), plays with the listener's expectations, blending melody and solos in such a whimsical fashion.  The program closes with "Belleza #1" (off of Hill's  2002 Big Band date, a lovely ballad that opens with a fine bass solo that opens up to Marty Ehrlich's handsome bass clarinet spot followed by a lovely piano solo (much of it unaccompanied).  Mommaas leads the rhythm section back in with a breathy, emotional, tenor solo.  He continues to improvise while the rest of the group play the theme. Such a gentle finish to a splendid album.

"A Prayer For Andrew" is not considered a "tribute album" by Ron Horton or his collaborators. His various groups have not only played this music for many years, they also have lived inside it. The spirit of Andrew Hill can be felt strongly when the band plays these songs––it is music that defies genres whie it sings to all of us.

For more information and to purchase the album, go to https://www.newvelle-records.com/collections/shop-newvelle/products/ron-horton-a-prayer-for-andrew for vinyl and/or to https://newvellerecords.bandcamp.com/album/a-prayer-for-andrew for digital.

Listen to "Venture Inward":

Guitarist and composer Anthony Pirog is an ambitious musician who is one of the more adventurous musicians on the modern scene. He rarely if ever repeats himself and sets a new challenge with each project.  Several years ago, the guitarist reached out to fellow players and asked them to create an "ambient" track that he would then improvise over. Many he asked were friends but he also "reached" for and received music from Andy Summers (The Police) and Brandon Ross.  The results can be heard on "The Nepenthe Series: Volume I" (Otherly Love Records).  Even if you are familiar with the guitarist's earlier recordings, chances are good you'll be surprised by these nine tracks.  Because this is an ambient setting, the music is not concerned with "shredding" or technical proficiency; instead, Pirog and partners have created a soundtrack that stands apart from any you may have encountered.

Webster's Dictionary defines nepenthe as "a potion used by the ancients to induce forgetfulness of pain or sorrow" and "something capable of causing oblivion of grief or suffering"––still, this music challenges both the creators and the listener to pay attention and to get lost in the sounds. The program opens with "Aurora" created by John Frusciante (of The Red Hot Chili Peppers); the music floats atop a low-note drone with tones that swell and shrink and electronic "raindrops" back in the mix.  Summers contributes "Inflorescence". The handsome melody Pirog creates over the shimmering guitars and quiet chords has an emotional pull unlike anything else on the album.  In comparison, "Night Winds" (created by Wendy Eisenberg) has a thunderstorm of white noise and static plus a chilling melody line that never resolves. Pirog adds distorted guitar that maintains the mood.

Listen below "Ripples of Light", the track that closes the album. Nels Cline's drones serve as an antithesis to Ms. Eisenberg's darker music. In fact, this music often floats and you can't really separate what each guitarist brings to the music. Why should you?  Just sit back, close your eyes, be surprised, be calmed, and forget the craziness of the world around you.  Creativity takes many shapes on "The Nepenthe Series: Vol. I" so grab your headphones, dim the lights, and explore the possibilities.

For more information and to purchase the recording, go to https://anthony-pirog.bandcamp.com/album/anthony-pirog-the-nepenthe-series-vol-1.

Hear Anthony Pirog with Nels Cline on "Ripples of Light":

Sounds Abound

Photo: Antonio Narvaez

To the left is a photo of pianist and vocalist Champian Fulton in her natural habitat; that is, playing her infectious, swinging, life-affirming brand of popular music to a happy crowd.  The Oklahoma-born Fulton has been recording since 2007. She prefers the Trio setting (can't blame her––she's a fine pianist) although she often adds her flugelhorn playing Father, Stephen Fulton, to the group.  She's issued 14 albums, many on her own label but also several for Cellar Live and one for Posi-Tone. Over her career, her vocal style has blossomed so one hear a bit of Ella, Sarah Vaughan, and Dinah Washington.

Her new album, "Meet Me at Birdland" (self-released), has just been issued. The 13-song, 70-minute, experience features Ms. Fulton with her New York trio, bassist Hide Tanaka and drummer (brushes-man extraordinaire) Fukushi Tainaka.  This is one tight ensemble and the pianist's chops are on display throughout. Instrumentals such as "Theme for Basie" and the rip-roaring "Happy Camper" give the group room to stretch out while Ms. Fulton's vocals on "Just Friends" and "I've Got a Crush on You" makes one feel like she is singing just for you.  Even the oft-recorded "Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most" sounds fresh and alive. 

"Meet Me at Birdland" closes with "It's Been a Long, Long, Time"––voice and piano, no rhythm section, and this bluesy take is a treat.  One gets the feeling if Champian Fulton lived in the time of the Harlem "Rent Parties", she'd be living in the penthouse. This collection will most certainly brighten your life.  

To find out more, go to www.champian.net.  To buy the new album, go to  https://champianfulton.bandcamp.com/album/meet-me-at-birdland.

Listen to the Trio dig into "Theme for Basie":

 

Like your guitar music electric and loud?  Or do you like is electric and sensitive?  "The Great Mirage" (ASG Recordings) pairs Joel Harrison and Anthony Pirog with the rhythm section of Allison Miller (drums) and Stephan Crump (electric bass) and the results are fascinating.  All four players have excellent jazz chops but here they turn their attention to music that could be best described as "Prog Rock meets Electric Fusion".  There are moments, such as on the album opening title track and on "Mortgage on My Soul" (composed by Keith Jarrett) that try men's speakers with both guitarists displaying chops that would impress fans of Jeff Beck and Steve Vai.  Yet, on "There's Never Enough Time" and "Desert Solitaire", there are moments of beauty and emotional depth.  

One should not downplay the work of Ms. Miller and Mr. Crump.  On the uptempo pieces, they set the pace – the funky rhythms on "East Hurley" rub against the wailing guitars so nicely. Listen to how gently they keep the pace flowing on Harrison's heartfelt "I'll See You in the Shining World". This particular tune is one whose melody sticks to your soul.  

Pirog and Harrison turn acoustic on the 75-second "Last Rose of Summer" with one of them playing dobro. Despite its brevity, the piece stands out.

The album closes with two powerful tracks. First, "Clarksdale" has a hard-edge tempered by the addition of Bruce Katz on the Hammond B-3 organ. Pirog's wailing solo pushes off the rhythm section while Harrison's ringing chords keep the structure. That leads to the rocking "Buffalo Heart"–composed by Harrison, the roaring piece sounds like an homage to Neil Young & Crazy Horse. The guitars roar at each other from thew corners of the stereo mix while the bass and drums throb and thrash in-between them.  

"The Great Mirage" is, in some ways, one of those "turn it up to 10" recordings, with piercing guitars that can cleanse one's soul. To the credit of Joel Harrison and Anthony Pirog, these songs have really strong and, for a good number, engrossing melodies.  Yes, it's loud, yes, it's mostly electric, but this music also has emotional power and maturity, not just a endless of loop of flashy solos.

For more information, go to https://joelharrison.com/.  To hear more and buy the album, go to  https://agsrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/the-great-mirage.

Here's the title track: