Judith Lorick The Second Time Around

Judith Lorick
The Second Time Around
JLJ International

Besides being the title of one the standards, the title of this album (Lorick's second) also refers to her own story of a love lost in youth which gets rekindled 44 years later. She is joined on her exploration of love lost and found by pianist Eric Reed, who collaborated with her on her prior recording, Kiyoshi Kitigawa on bass, McClenty Hunter on drums, Jeremy Pelt on trumpet and Chris Lewis on tenor saxophone.

The cd package contains her reflections on the meaning of each song. For example, on the opening "Why Did I Choose You," she writes "We meet in 1967 and I see the heart you hide so well. For Tadd Dameron's classic "If You Could See Me Now," she notes "1970, You leave me, and I'm heartbroken." She states about the title track, "Lovelier, twice as wonderful, this miracle we found."

Her notes may relate to the selection of material, but what stands out it is her performance of these songs. This is an album of mostly ballads. Despite the predominance of languid tempos, the combination of Ms. Lorick's vocals, Eric Reed's arrangements, and the instrumental accompaniment leads to a marvelous recording. One is struck by the warmth and emotion that Ms. Lorick expresses throughout. she sings softly with clear enunciation, her vocal dynamics and phrasing that brings out the meaning of these songs, whether she expresses a longing for a love that seems to have been lost as in the Dameron classic (bassist Kitigawa stands out in his solo here as Hunter deftly plays with brushes), or celebrates in a restrained manner finding her lost love on the title track (accompanied solely by Reed's sophisticated backing). Reed's accompaniment on "He Needs Me," also gracefully supports the expression of longing in her vocal.

The support Kitigawa and Hunter provide adds to the appeal of these performances as do the solo contributions of Pelt (the soft, expressive playing on "Why Did I Choose You" or his bright middle register playing on "Wild Is the Wind") and Lewis (who provides a lovely tenor sax break on "Lucky to Be Me"), both enhancing the sophisticated elegance of the performances on this superlative, moving recording.

I received my review copy from a publicist.

McClenty Hunter Jr. The Groove Hunter

McClenty Hunter Jr.
The Groove Hunter
Strikezone

Familiar to this writer as a member of Dave Stryker's organ trio, drummer McClenty Hunter Jr. studied at Howard University with Grady Tate and Juilliard with Carl Allen. He was a member of Kenny Garrett's Quintet and has played with Lou Donaldson, Eric Reed, Curtis Fuller, Javon Jackson and others in addition to Stryker.I believe "The Groove Hunter" is his first recording as a leader. Produced by Stryker and Hunter, there are some serious players to be heard here including pianists Eric Reed and Christian Sands; bassists Corcoran Holt and Eric Wheeler; guitarist Stryker; trumpeter Eddie Henderson; alto saxophonist Donald Harrison; and tenor saxophonist Stacy Dillard. They collaborate in various combinations on the four Hunter compositions and five interpretations heard here.

There is plenty of fire with Eric Reed dazzling on piano for a driving, fiery trip take of Herbie Nichols' "Blue Chopsticks," with Holt anchoring the performance with Hunter pushing the heated groove. In contrast, Reed is exquisite on Hunter's, "My Love," shifting from a lovely ballad mode to comping behind Dillard's robust, burning tenor sax and then soloing in a Tyner-esque fashion. Wayne Shorter's "The Big Push" has all three of the horns along with Reed and Holt. Dillard's robust tenor sax is impressive while Dr. Henderson delights with his attack. There are also strong statements from Reed and Harrison who plays in a turbulent manner. Stryker is featured on the rendition of Stevie Wonder's "That Girl," with Sands also outstanding on this bouncy performance. Gary McFarland's "Sack Full of Dreams" is a feature for some lovely, delicate playing from pianist Sands and guitarist Stryker, with Hunter employing a light touch. Hunter's drums kick off a brisk version of John Coltrane's "Countdown," with Harrison riveting alto sax with a good portion of the performance being a duet with Hunter before Reed and Holt join in.

Dillard's soprano sax is supported by Reed, Holt and Hunter on the leader's composition, "Give Thanks," on a lovely spiritually rooted performance. It is the close of a fascinating and enthralling recording by Hunter, who shows himself to be a composer of note as well as a marvelous musician who is joined by a superb cast of supporting musicians.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the May-June 2018 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 378). Here is McClenty Hunter Jr as part of Dave Stryker's band.