Didier Lockwood: Tribute To Stephane Grappelli (Dreyfus)
No fresh ground broken, but this hommage from one violinist to another is filled with warmth, unabashed romanticism and exceptional playing. Lockwood is a virtuoso out of the Grappelli tradition, but more modern harmonically and rhythmically; he is also a savoury melodist with, in the gypsy guitarist, Birelli Lagrene, a perfect accomplice for this visit to Grappelli and Django Reinhardt's repertoire. With both superbly supported by the great bassist, Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen, the results are irresistible. Performed with utter conviction, there are gorgeous interpretations of Nuages, Les Valseuses, Tears, Beautiful Love, In A Sentimental Mood - the unexpected bass line shows the sophistication behind the session's charm - and brilliant soloing on Minor Swing, Pent-Up House and The Kid.
- Ray Comiskey
Brian Blade Fellowship: Perceptual (Blue Note)
Blade is one of the finest young drummers in jazz and for this latest from his Fellowship band he's surrounded by some talented young lions, including guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, pianist Jon Cowherd and saxophonists Melvin Butler and Myron Walden. But there's a late-1960s aura to the music, written by Cowherd, Blade and Walden; some of the material has the feel of the modal ventures of Herbie Hancock's early Blue Notes, with Blade clearly a Tony Williams fan. Cowherd's piano, too, recalls Keith Jarrett. Add a Fender Rhodes and the throwback 1960s sensation is virtually complete. It is, for the most part, a gentle, elegiac album, but the sameness of mood, tempo and tonal colours, as well as the general earnestness, are ultimately self-defeating.
- Ray Comiskey
