Martin Wind – Stars- “and a good time was had by all…”
Martin Wind – Stars – Newvelle #NV036 – 180 gm vinyl – 2025 – *****
(Martin Wind – bass; Anat Cohen – clarinet; Kenny Barron – piano; Matt Wilson – drums)
Newvelle Records, the exquisite boutique LP label is celebrating their tenth anniversary with their Newvelle 10 series. It consists of five albums to be issued at the beginning of 2026, and every few months, concluding in August.
Each album is getting the deluxe treatment, (just like they have been doing since the label was founded by Elan Mehler!), this time with Stoughton tip-on gate fold jackets, mastering by Matthew Lutthans, and using Quality Record Pressings, on clear white vinyl. The album artwork, was done by Ragnar Kjartansson, and would be suitable for display.
Opening the series is bassist Martin Wind’s Stars. What better way to start the series than teaming Martin with three members, who could each command center stage at Avery Fisher Hall: clarinetist, Anat Cohen; iconic pianist, Kenny Barron; and drummer for all seasons and genres, Matt Wilson.
The song list consists of three Wind originals, and six other tracks, including two by Ellington, one by an Ellington bassist (Aaron Bell), a Brazilian samba, a Bud Powell tune, and a chestnut (“Stars Fell on Alabama”), made famous by Ella and Louis.
What stands out immediately is the ease and sophistication shown by this dream quartet. Anat Cohen’s clarinet tone is glorious and ethereal, as she caresses the melodies, like frosting on the cake. What can you say about Kenny Barron that hasn’t been said in spades over the years? His touch is golden, silky smooth, and this song selection is made for him, whether it be swing, blues, or a bit boppish (on Bud Powell’s “Wail”). Matt Wilson is the perfect drummer for this setting, with great accents, and tasty brush work.
Martin Wind is clearly in heaven, having the chance to finally back Kenny, with Anat and Matt onboard, just to sweeten the pot. Martin’s originals shine, as he provides the pulse on “Life,” honors James Moody, with whom he backed for years, on “Moody,” and helps set a wistful, melancholy mood on “Standing at the Window Waving Goodbye.” He also shows his arco bass chops on the Brazilian samba, “Pra Dizer Adeus,” which was also made to order for Anat Cohen’s love of this idiom.
The Ellington tunes, “Black Butterfly,” and “The Feeling of Jazz,” would do Duke proud, with Cohen providing Johnny Hodges’ sensuousness on the former, the group’s easy going swing bringing a Cotton Club vibe to both.
The closer, “Stars Fell on Alabama” is old school sweetness, and a happy ending to a, “put a smile on your face” pure class session. What a delightful way to celebrate a ten year anniversary. We’ll surely get more chances to honor Newvelle, as the rest of the series unfolds in the next several months!
—Review by Jeff Krow
Martin Wind – Stars – Newvelle
Tracklist:
Side A: Passing Thoughts, Life, Black Butterfly, Moody, Wail
Side B: The Feeling of Jazz, Pra Dizer Adeus, Standing at the Window Waving Goodbye, Stars Fell on Alabama
