Modern clever original jazz Alex Levin – A SUNDAY KIND OF LOVE: As you might imagine, I get (literally) hundreds of piano-led jazz CD’s in here every year, & it’s only once-in-a-while that the music on them is totally modern & clever original jazz like Alex and his bandmates play for us here… I first reviewed his enchanting piano works way, way back in issue # 109, where he got high marks from me… on this new release, Alex’s piano is joined by Phil Rowan on bass and Ben Cliness doing drums… the latest live video I could find featured Alex and Phil in a sweet duo that will give you intimate insight into their playing style together…
…you’ll find lots more great performances there, so be sure to SUBSCRIBE to Alex’s YouTube channel (since you’re there already) – I did.
The recording on the new release is an audiophile’s dream, especially on tunes like the 5:22 ultra-smooth opener, an original from Alex, titled “Sweets” (shades of early Herbie Hancock, to be sure)… just the kind of “cool jazz” I first cut my teeth on way back in the late ’60’s… STUNNING! .
I was (and you will be, too) totally captivated by another original from Alex… “The Jetsetters” clocks in at only 4:31, yet still manages to give each player room to solo for your jazz pleasure… very full-bodied, with real jazz “meat on the bones”.
The trio KICKS IT on standards like Cole Porter’s “What Is This Thing Called Love“, too… very pleasant to listen to – in fact, this one (actually, the entire album) made it onto my iPhone player, too (something reserved for only the best jazz).
Not difficult (at all) to make my choice for personal favorite of the ten classy tunes Alex and his players offer up for your aural adventure… another original from Alex, “Blues for Wynton Kelly“, is a tribute to Wynton that I expect will be getting some MAJOR airplay on stations ’round the globe – yeah, folks, it’s that good!
I give Alex and his musical crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) score of a (perfect) 5.00 – which means that he also gets my “PICK” for “best piano-led jazz trio album”. Get more information at The Alex Levin Trio website. Rotcod Zzaj
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