Jazz

Tim Garland and Geoffrey Keezer
Mezzo
Tim Garland Music TGM1111CD

Distinguished British saxophonist, composer and arranger Tim Garland worked with US pianist Geoffrey Keezer in their Storms/Nocturnes trio (with vibraphonist Joe Locke), but here they form a fine, self-sufficient duo. On all but two tracks Garland uses the rare mezzo-soprano sax, which has a range similar to the cor anglais. Garland played with Chick Corea for many years, and when he and Keezer kick off with Corea’s ‘La Fiesta’ it’s a tour de force, the pianist’s brilliant rhythm and invention effortlessly setting the pace for his happy and virtuosic partner. Most of the other tunes are originals, but there’s a charming ‘Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye’. A buoyant, attractive and welcoming album. SH

Sound Quality: 90%

Aleph Aguiar
Sugar On My Blackbeans
Aleph Aguiar Records ARR001

Arriving in the UK from Venezuela this fluent and versatile guitarist did a lot of theatre work and played for glamorous singer Georgia Cécile. Now, ten years on from his first jazz album Pataruco, comes a harder-driving collection, powered by Empirical drummer Shane Forbes and percussionist Will Fry. With Liam Dunachie at the Hammond, this is an organ quartet with a difference, as the other member is trumpeter Quentin Collins. Aguiar’s extended solos emulate the endless flow of Pat Martino and, apart from a contemplative ‘One For Sorrow Two For Joy’ with its Wes-like octaves, this is good-time jazz that never lets up. SH

Sound Quality: 80%

Melissa Aldana
Filin
Blue Note 8822822; LP: 8822823

A ballads album, but one that doesn’t draw on the usual ‘songbook’ repertoire. Instead, at the suggestion of pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, the Chilean-born sax star chose songs from the romantic Cuban filin genre, popular from the 1940s to the 1960s. If the tunes sometimes sound familiar, that’s because American influence was also strong. Rubalcaba’s gentle accompaniments are backed discreetly by bassist Kenny Washington and long-time sideman Kush Abadey on drums. Improvising more sparely than usual, Aldana has focused on the melodies, while on two numbers guest Cécile McLorin Salvant sings the Spanish lyrics beautifully. SH

Sound Quality: 90%

Pat Metheny
Side-Eye III+
Uniquity Music GHD 6626; LP: 6628 (two discs)

Metheny’s Side-Eye project began as a way of introducing new young musicians to his group, recorded live on tour. This studio album, the first on the guitarist’s own new label, was initially based on his current core trio with Chris Fishman on keyboards and Joe Dyson on drums but, as he puts it, ‘The music I had written was asking for something bigger’. Hence the plus-sign, as another 15 musicians eventually contributed, among them bassist Daryl Johns, harpist Brandee Younger and a vocal ensemble led by Mark Kibble of Take 6. Metheny’s guitar flies over a dense, multi-layered production, with countless fleeting touches to make for an absorbing listen. SH

Sound Quality: 90%