Nublues

JAZZ - VIBRAPHONE & SMALL COMBO

Joel Ross, a young Chicago-born and now Brooklyn-based vibraphonist and composer, has released his fourth full-length album on Blue Note (also see ZK #1134571). Pieces include seven original compositions and three classics. The band comprises alto sax, piano, bass, & drums; a flute is added for tracks 4, 5, 6. Tracks 1-3 and 7-9 are played continuously.
RIYL Stefon Harris, Warren Wolf

All instrumental; FCC clean; released Feb 2024

1 * slow & peaceful, like watching a gentle surf in the early morning; sax and vibes intertwine their improvised melodies; subdued rhythm section; segues into #2 (3:56)
2 * mid-tempo. bluesy Coltrane tune moved from tenor to alto; sax leads mostly, save for vibes in the bridge and piano toward the end; segues into #3 (8:37)
3 mid-tempo. using similar melodic themes but more improvisational; at 5:30 shifts gears to slow, as though another movement; fades out (11:12)
4 slow. dreamy fantasia for flute with piano accompaniment. fades out (2:38)
5 * slow. gentle, melancholy piece with flute and sax melodies; interesting; fades out (2:46)
6 mid-tempo. dull multi-instrument jam leads nowhere in particular; fades out (8:40)
7 ** very slow. intriguing aural experiment led by the vibes with huge reverb & echo effects; quite “free” at times; segues into #8 (8:12)
8 ** mid-tempo to mid-fast; brisk straight-forward jazz jam with leads by sax, then vibes, then piano; segues into #9 (9:37)
9 ** fast; T. Monk classic played with good energy; solos by vibes and sax are intricate and showy. stops suddenly (8:02)
10 slow. moody and soulful Coltrane ballad (4:28)