The Adam Price Group House Ghosts

The Adam Price Group

House Ghosts
Self-produced

Based in Eastern Pennsylvania, composer and clarinetist Adam Price leads his group on this recording. Others here include pianist Isamu McGregor; bassist Jack Synoski; drummer Spencer Inch and percussionist 
Jeff Hatcher. Kristina Rajgelj adds vocals to several selections. My download did not include information on composers, so I guess that Price is the composer of the compositions and songs.

 While Price has classical training on clarinet, it does not prevent from swinging while displaying his warm tone and his fluid attack. The opening "Mzungu" has a strong African-tinged rhythmic groove while "Chameleon Colored Eyes" also has an energetic force reflected in Price's propulsive playing as well as McGregor's spirited piano solo. A shortened single cut of this track is tacked on the end of this recording. Rajgelj takes one of her two vocals here displaying clear articulation of the song and a horn-like projection of the lyrics while the rhythm section is superb here and throughout.

"The Girl in the White Dress" is a ballad with Price captivating with his playing with understated backing from his fine ensemble. "Rotten Grapes" is an effervescent blues performance with Inch helping propel Price's solo and followed by McGregor's thoughtful solo, while "Summer Thunder (The Last Rain Queen)" is a mellow number with Rajgelj's wordless vocal harmonizing with Price's pensive clarinet here. Rajgelj also adds wordless vocalizing to the title track that starts reflectively before a lightly swinging groove is established and Price twisting, surging so builds up in intensity.

The delightful "Storyville" has the appeal of an evening stroll on Frenchmen Street, just outside New Orleans' French Quarter with the understated bass and drums adding to the performance's charm. The ebullient Brazilian-flavored 'Eu Quero Você" follows it," with Rajgelj adding her wordless singing to the ensemble here. As noted, a single cut of "Chameleon Colored Eyes" closes this recording. Price's superb, exquisite clarinet playing, along with varied, melodic compositions and a marvelous band has resulted in an excellent recording.

I received a review download from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the January-February 2019 Jazz & Blues report (Issue 382).  Here is "Storyville," from this CD.