Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify.
With two Juno Awards, five Juno nominations, and a host of other international awards, Metalwood is arguably Canada’s most decorated jazz ensemble. Between 1997 and 2003, their name became synonymous with groove-oriented electric jazz, winning the band devoted fans around the world. Taking their cue from the likes of Weather Report, Miles Davis and Return to Forever, the band developed a style and a sound all their own. In 2003, drummer Ian Froman, saxophonist Mike Murley, bassist Chris Tarry and keyboardist and trumpeter Brad Turner went their separate ways and many wondered if Metalwood would ever return. The wait is finally over. Nearly twenty years after their debut and thirteen years since their last release, “Twenty” takes the band’s genre-defining sound to new heights with possibly their best disc to date.
“Chemistry” is certainly an apt title for the latest Houston Person-Ron Carter duo album. Every tune is imbued with a rare sense of intimacy and almost telepathic sense of communication. Totally in their niche, the two men have selected a set list of favorite standards with which they are both amply familiar. Person, in the glow of his artistic maturity, sounds completely relaxed with his burnished tone superbly caught by legendary engineer Rudy Van Gelder. Carter, carrying the responsibility of time keeper, harmonist and unaccompanied soloist, relishes his role and responds with an easy virtuosity that only a master can supply. It’s music-making of the highest order.
Also this week, Luis Perdomo, who accompanied Miguel Zenon at this summer’s Iowa City Jazz Festival, unveils a new solo piano disc, “Montage”. Australian pianist Matt Baker releases “Almost Blue,” his fifth album as a leader and second since moving to New York City in 2010.
Pianist Spik
e Wilner leads his trio in an exploration of the hidden nature of love on “Koan.”