The Posi-Tone winning streak continues with two new releases…
Ryan Keberle – Bright Moments – Posi-Tone Records #PR8261 – CD – 56:04 – ****
(Ryan Keberle – trombone; Alex Norris – trumpet, flugelhorn; Michael Dease – baritone sax; Patrick Cornelius – alto & soprano sax, bass clarinet, alto flute; Diego Rivera – tenor sax, flute 3; Art Hirahara – piano; Boris Kozlov – bass; Rudy Royston – drums)
Art Hirahara – Good Company – Posi-Tone Records #PR8260 – CD – 65:08 – ****
(Art Hirahara – piano; Paul Bollenback – guitar; Ron Horton – trumpet, flugelhorn)
For fans of straight ahead jazz, you must find your way to Posi-Tone Records, based out of Los Angeles, but sessions recorded in the Big Apple.
Label owner, Mark Free, has found the magic formula of using a house roster of young jazz musicians, and mixing and matching them with guest (often returning) artists, whose presence adds a polish, that can be compared to the period of the iconic Blue Note Records days of the 1960s.
Marc has given his artists open permission to record their own compositions, in addition to classic jazz tracks, that have stood the test of time. Recorded on a single day, and later remixed and mastered at the Woodland Studio near Portland, Oregon, by Nick O’Toole, the results have been consistently exemplary. The acoustics are crystal clear, and music swings hard. Most all of his roster have recorded as leaders; and sidemen, such as bassist, Boris Kozlov, and drummer, Rudy Royston, are first call, for numerous other labels. Very few other labels can boast of the output and consistent quality that Posi-Tone brings to the table.
Such is the case with the label’s two new releases, pianist, Art Hirahara’s Good Company, and trombonist, Ryan Keberle’s Bright Moments. Each comes highly recommended. Art fronts a drummer less trio, while Ryan has a full octet fleshing out his own ten tracks.
Good Company boasts the addition of Ron Horton, the noted trumpeter, and guitarist, Paul Bollenback, who with his mastery of quartal harmony, has backed Joey DeFrancesco and Stanley Turrentine. The three share writing duties on ten out of thirteen tracks. Horton is an acolyte of the late piano genius, Andrew Hill, and here the trio covers Hill’s “Laverne.” Two other Horton compositions, “Sintra Breeze,” and “Full Moon Over Lisbon,” were inspired by time Ron spent in Portugal.
Other highlights include Art’s “Drop and Drag,” with its NOLA groove, as well as revisits of “SoHo Down,” and “The Shadowist,” both covered in prior Hirahara Posi-Tone releases, but now re-imagined for the unique voicings of piano, guitar, and trumpet. The trio has a symbiotic ability to play off each other, and yet blend seamlessly as an ensemble.
It was a coup for Marc Free to have the services of the brilliant trombonist, Ryan Keberle, as a leader for a sextet of Posi-Tone roster mates. Ryan is a man of numerous talents as a jazz educator, a leader of several big bands, and absolute lead trombonist of rock, jazz, R&B, Brazilian and World Music aggregations, ranging from David Bowie, Sufjan Stevens, Ivan Lins, and the Saturday Night Live house band. His contribution as a soloist for Maria Schneider’s Orchestra deserves mention.
Here on Bright Moments, he uses his prior sixteen albums as a leader, to bring his Posi-Tone mates to a new level of sophistication. Beginning with “Quintessence,” with his warm, broad trombone tone, the other horns are inspired on a straight ahead tune propelled by Rudy Royston’s assertive drumming. The woodwind orchestration of “All Ears,” is a sumptuous chamber jazz track, with major contributions from Patrick Cornelius, and Diego Rivera.
The sardonically titled, “Make America Again,” with Boris Kozlov’s inspiring bass solo, brought to mind, bassist Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra’s album, Not in Our Name. with its response to the politics of the day.
“To Be and Not to Do,” is a brand new composition which was commissioned by a Belgian trombone ensemble. Art Hirahara gets some nice solo time near the middle of the track. This masterful session ends with “When I’m Away,” a 2006 written track that exposes the dichotomy of the life of a touring artist, with the joy of seeing the world, as opposed to being away from those you love. Ryan’s version covers both the melancholy, and joy of this experience.
Both of the above CDs are shining examples of the continuing high grade quality releases from the Posi-Tone label. Whether it be a unique trio setting, or a full octet led by an esteemed talent, Posi-Tone Records, is bringing the goods.
—Jeff Krow
Art Hirahara – Good Company:
Tracklist:
Art Hirahara – Good Company:
Shambolic, Laverne, Ugly Beauty, Sintra Breeze, Psalm, Songline, The Shadowist, Soho Down, As Praias Desertas, Everywhere All at Once, Full Moon Over Lisbon, Drop and Drag, Home
Ryan Keberle – Bright Moments:
Tracklist:
Quintessence, Stillness Within, All Ears, Sisters of Mine, To Be and Not to Do, Edu, Despite the Dream, Make America Again, Fooled and Pushed Apart, When I’m Away
