Today's top listen to prioritise is the softly poetic so often moving notes and tones of Tom Harrell, a big influence on many players around the world including fine UK player Reuben Fowler. We loved Harrell's work with Ethan Iverson on his 2019 released Live at the Vanguard classic Common Practice - definitely Iverson's best album to date - the ex-Bad Plus pianist seemed so inspired by Harrell.
What's here is archetypal Harrell for its lightness, deft nods to hard bop (Freddie Hubbard particularly) huge nimble facility and a sound world that fans will long know from his illustrious discography. Harrell also possesses a Kenny Wheeler sense of what's possible emotionally when he takes a melodic line for a walk and responds so instinctively to the nuances of the rhythm section who communicate so closely and intimately with him here.
If totally new to Harrell we'd suggest as a first stopping off point experience a classic of modern jazz by going to late-1980s gem the meltingly perfect title track of Sail Away that also has an array of sublime touches from the much missed John Abercrombie.
Once you have picked up your jaw off the floor if hearing that for the first time - trust us - that will happen jump up to date to find on this Alternate Summer how beautifully Harrell, now 78, who has fought massive mental health problems down the years, is playing. He is with pianist Luis Perdomo (also on Rhodes and Hammond B3), tenor saxophonists Dayna Stephens & Mark Turner alternating, guitarist Charles Altura, bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Adam Cruz.
The balladic title track 'Alternate Summer' is an instant classic
What a writer Harrell is too on this latest work that he and and his wife Angela produced together. The title track is an instant classic, tender as the night. These 10 tunes, Harrell numbers all, includes the mega number 'Wind' which clocks in at over 12 minutes. The tune has a pulsing bass underpinning to it from Okegwo and deftly insistent horns take the idea on. There's positivity, grace and so much more to the album and the whole thing grooves and shimmers. As a snapshot of why jazz means so much to so many of us the world over Alternate Summer captures its mercurial, timeless, moods, bittersweet blueness and such aching tristesse - and an ineffable all embracing joy in the process - in such exemplary aesthetic fashion.
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