Bob Ferrel's Jazztopian Dream

Bob Ferrel
Bob Ferrel's Jazztopian Dream
BFM Productions

One gets overwhelmed at times with releases, that some get lost. Trombonist Bob Ferrel's album from 2017 is one that I recently discovered rummaging around. Ferrel is a four-decade veteran of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and also spent twenty years touring with Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes. It was about time he recorded as a leader. He has assembled a strong studio band with the likes of trumpeters Vinnie Cutro, and Rob Henke, saxophonists Joe Ford, Frank Elmo, and Roy Nicolosi, pianist Sharp Radway, bassist Daryl Johns, drummer Steve Johns, and percussionist Frank Valdes. Several songs feature vocalist Dwight West

The music on this album ranges from a larger jazz combo to a big little band. It showcases Ferrel as a masterful vigorous trombonist whose sense of dynamics ranges from deep growls to cottony melodic caresses. He solos on all ten selections. With the handsomely provided arrangements, the music is generally in a swinging post-bop idiom. His ability to caress a melody is evident on the opening "My Secret Love." "Yardbird Suite" is one of the four vocals by West, who impresses with the clarity and warmth of his singing. Former McCoy Tyner alto saxophonist Ford places his stamp on this performance with his solo. Most folks associate 'Don't Go To Strangers" with the late Etta Jones, but West's vocal with a brisker tempo leads to a fresh take on this. West also sings on a riveting interpretation of Pharaoh Sanders' "You've Got To Have Freedom." This is another selection with a Joe Ford solo, with other solos from the leader and trumpeter Vinnie Cutro.

Slightly different personnel are present for the Latin Jazz of "We Began With A Kiss," with Hector Davila on piano and Ruben Rodriguez on the Zorko baby bass. Ferrel's only original, "Soul Bop," opens with some growling multi-phonics and some of the most open playing on this. The Jazztopian dream closes with a rollicking "Everyday I Have the Blues." In this performance, they sound like a mini-Basie band. West incorporates a bit of Louis Jordan's lyrics from "Let the Good Times Roll" in a top-flight vocal. Radway is fabulous on this, while Ferrel growls a blues-drenched trombone solo. Hopefully, others besides me, will also no longer overlook this gem of a recording.

I likely received my review copy from a publicist. Here is a promotional video for this recording.