Lynne Arriale's Convergence Is Strong Modern Jazz

Convergence (Motéma Music), issued in 2011, is the 12th album as a leader by the pianist-composer Lynne Arriale. While many of her recordings are in the trio vein, this release, like its predecessor Nuance, has her explore the quartet format (although several selections are with just a trio). Her band is excellent, anchored by bassist Omer Avital and drummer Anthony Pinciotti with Bill McHenry on tenor sax. Six of the eleven recordings are Arriale compositions, while the five other songs come from such disparate sources as Sting, Deborah Harry and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails.

There is strong music here from the scorching opening Elements, a dynamic original with Arriale displaying a dynamic sense with the terrific rhythm section and tough tenor sax. At the same time, she does a lovely rendition of The Beatles’ Here Comes The Sun, exhibiting her melodicism. Another reworking of a rock classic is her rearrangement of Deborah Harry’s Call Me, slowing down the Blondie recording while McHenry is sparkling here. Bassist Avital is featured on Avital’s flamenco inspired Dance of the Rain, while the Stones’ Paint It Black, is also imaginatively reworked by Arriale and this stellar band.

In her liner notes, Arriale notes the multiple sources of musical influence and inspiration that include jazz, pop, world music and ‘Americana,’ and she observes that “[i]t was such a joy to experience the ‘convergence’ of all the people and sounds that made up this recording.” This joy can be heard in the music heard on this wonderful recording.

My review copy was provided by a publicist. here is a video of the Lynne Arriale Trio performing Flamenco.

Guitarist JC Stylles Exhilarating Organ Trio.

Winning a contest on one of the jazz websites, my prize was the Motéma CD by Australian guitarist JC Stylles, Exhilaration and Other States. I was completely unfamiliar with Stylles prior to this contest, but this organ trio album with organist Pat Bianchi and drummer Lawrence Leathers has quickly become a personal favorite.

Exhilarating is the feeling from the album's as the band comes out smoking on Eddie Marshall's Knucklebean, a feverish blues that illustrates the empathy between the three. Stevie Wonder's I Can't Help, has a slightly slower tempo, but Stylles continues with his fleet, driving attack. The temperature drops for the lovely Billy Eckstine ballad I Want To Talk About You, with Stylles cleanly articulating each note and employing judicious use of sustain for a lovely performance. Stylles confesses a love for ballads that is also reflected in a moody and haunting rendition of Billie Holiday's Don't Explain.

Cole Porter's Love For Sale, is handled energetically as Stylles again dazzles with his deft and imaginative playing set against his terrific bandmates. Other numbers in the eclectic group of songs include Wayne Shorter's Pinnochio, with its unusual structure that the trio readily handles, and R. Kelly's It Seems Your Ready, which provides a nice late feel contrasting with the fire of the Shorter number.

Stylles original, Samba Steps, is based on the chord progression of Coltrane's Giant Steps, but handled with a Samba feel, and provides a rousing finish to one of the best organ-guitar recordings of recent times. Stylles, Bioanchi and Leathers certainly caught my ear with this recording, and I look forward to more from these three.