Sabertooth Swing Songs of Future Past

Sabertooth Swing
Songs of Future Past
Slammin Media

Sabertooth Swing is a New Orleans jazz band that one might characterize as Neo-traditional or Neo-swing. The members of Sabertooth Swing are Dan Ruch on trumpet and vocals, Alex Canales on saxophone and clarinet, Chris Butcher on trombone, Romain Beauxis on guitar, Spike Perkins on bass, and Robert Montgomery on drums. There are guest appearances from Seth Ballin on saxophone and Ryan Hanseler on piano. This new EP is the result of the band playing a dance in a local juke joint paired with a local blues act. For this occasion, they prepared a setlist of slower tunes with a distinct melancholic air and wanderlust. Apparently, the night was magical and carried forth to the present six-song release.
 

The rhythm section is crisp, and the tempos relaxed, while the solos are concise and well-constructed. Ruch is a capable, energetic vocalist who brings the right, let's have a party feel to these performances. Things start with an inviting "Frankie and Johnny," on which Seth Ballin contributes the saxophone solo. On "How High Is the Ocean," there is a bop-inflected piano solo from Ryan Hanseler before Butcher's steel wool trombone. Butcher's tailgate trombone and Ruch's blistering trumpet open up an imaginative reworking of Tom Waits' "Chocolate Jesus. " There is also a similar traditional jazz recasting of Phish's "Lawn Boy." This song is transformed into an end-of-the-night saloon song, with Canales adding bluesy alto saxophone.

Canales' clarinet is featured on an all-instrumental take of W.C. Handy's "Atlanta Blues," which is the same melody as "Make Me a Pallet on the Floor." It is the final track on an easy to listen to, well played traditional jazz-oriented recording.

I received a download to review from a publicist. Here Sabertooth Swing perform "Chocolate Jesus."

TuneTown There From Here

TuneTown
There From Here
Slammin Media

"There From Here" is the debut album from Canada's newest collective, a chord-less trio, TuneTown. TuneTown was formed in 2015 and pools the talents of Kelly Jefferson (saxophones), Artie Roth (bass), and Ernesto Cervini (drums). The three are among Canada's top improvisers and contributed individually or collectively eight compositions that are played here along with covers of Duke Ellington and Cole Porter. There are, of course, precedents for this chord-less bands, including Sonny Rollins (Live at the Village Vanguard), Ornette Coleman classic quartet, Steve Lacy-Roswell Rudd's School Days Band, and Bill Dixon-Archie Shepp Quartet. In more recent years, we have had notable saxophone trios such as Joe Lovano, J. D. Allen, and Ravi Coltrane (with Matthew Garrison and Jack DeJohnette). Such a musical setting often can be a high-wire act without a net, but the trio is exemplary. There is plenty to stimulate the listener's attention throughout "There From Here."

One obvious thing is how well the members of TuneTown play together. While dedicated to Thelonious Monk, Cervini's "The Monks of Oka" is named after the monks in Quebec who make "really stinky cheese." It is a performance that suggests a classic Ornette Coleman recording with Jefferson's exhilarating saxophone elaborating on Cervini's theme. Roth and Cervini provide backing in a manner of Charlie Haden and Eddie Blackwell, before they each take very crisp, focused solos. Based on the Sammy Fain composition, "Alice in Wonderland, Artie Roth's "As She Wonders," is dedicated to his mother. As Roth's bass anchors the trio, Jefferson on soprano sax displays a mastery of dynamics in crafting his solo. On a standout interpretation of Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady," Roth's bass and Cervini's skillful use of brushes back Jefferson's exquisite tenor sax.

Roth's "Split Infinity" is a contrafact of "All The Things You Are" and again displays the bassist's virtuosity whether anchoring the trio or soloing. On Cole Porter's "All of You," Jefferson plays vibrantly in a manner of Sonny Rollins or Joe Lovano with Cervini displaying his ability to accompany and enhance the tenor sax solo. Jefferson's "Kindling," has a terrific serpentine soprano sax solo along with an excellent drum solo. "Transient Space" closes this recording on a meditative tone. It opens with Arco bass with it has an unhurried tempo. Jefferson's soprano sax adds to the reflective quality of the performance.

While the members of TuneTown are each excellent players, playing together they are a superlative trio. Their terrific debut is highly recommended.

I received a review copy as a download from a publicist. Here is a publicity video for this release.

Brandon Robertson Bass'd On a True Story

Brandon Robertson
Bass'd On a True Story
Slammin Media

Bassist Brandon Robertson is a ten-year veteran of the Florida music scene and joined by various collaborators from a range of jazz scenes to best fit each tune’s particular flavor. Those present include Avis Berry - Vocals; Adrian Crutchfield - Soprano Sax; Lew Del Gatto - Tenor Sax; James Suggs - Trumpet; Mason Margut - Piano; Leon Anderson - Drums; Zach Bartholomew - Piano; and Gerald Watkins Jr. - Drums. Eight of the ten songs are originals that reflect something important in Brandon's development both as a person and as a musician. As he says, "Each song is attached to a memory that I hang on to; memories from significant moments in my life. From the birth of my kids, to my experiences in New Orleans."

Robertson establishes the authority of bass playing at the first notes of the opening "East of the Sun" in which he states the melody as Margut comps behind him. He plays comfortably taking the lead as well as keeping time and his full tone and his melodic sense underly the strong playing here. Del Gatto's tenor sax is heard on "The Next Thing To Come," stating the theme before Robertson takes the lead with Bartholomew and Watkins filling out the selection. Inspired by Kenny Wheeler's "Smatter," Robertson also anchors this straight-ahead swinger with Suggs showcasing a distinctive sax sound with Watkins trading fours with him. The other non-original is a spirited rendition of Benny Golson's "Stablemates," with Margut excellent while Anderson tastefully pushes the performance along. "Majestic Nights" has a slight Latin tinge with a full horn section with Robertson and Watkins having a vibrant duet before Suggs fiery trumpet solo and substantial contributions from Del Gatto and Bartholomew.

Inspired by Thelonious Monk, "Mr. Lonious" opens with an extended bass solo before Margut and Anderson enter, with Margut's use of chords and phrasing evoking the angularity of Monk's compositions. "Lullaby With Noelle" is a beautiful ballad opening with a bit of adorable dialogue by Robertson and his daughter, and followed by Robertson's splendid Arco playing. "Better Days Will Come" was written and dedicated to his late mother-in-law Ada Campos. It is a song that projects hope and that one should not lose sight of one's dreams that is beautifully sung by Avis Berry with Adrian Crutchfield on soprano sax weaving in and around her vocal while Anderson is particularly energetic backing a stirring performance.

"Phat Friday" was Robertson's first composition and written in New Orleans four months before Hurricane Katrina devastated that city. There is a strong New Orleans flavor by the rhythm under the weaving interaction between Del Gatto and Suggs before Bartholomew's solo builds in intensity. Robertson then takes the lead before trading fours with Watkins. A bass solo, "Maven's Arrival," again showcases Robertson's robust attack and tone, and his ability to structure a melodic improvisation. It closes Robertson's most appealing recording debut.

This CD will be released on September 13. I received a download to review from a publicist. Here is a performance by Brandon of Benny Golson's "Stablemates."