Monthly Album Listening: September Recap
A little bit late on this one, but here’s the albums that I was enjoying this September.
The Crossover (Live in Brooklyn) - Jason Palmer
Released December 2024 on Giant Step Arts
Jason Palmer – trumpet
Mark Turner – tenor saxophone
Larry Grenadier - double bass
Marcus Gilmore – drums
This live record by Jason Palmer was the perfect follow-up to August's albums featuring chord-less lineups. From the opening track, which begins with a solo trumpet and is subsequently joined by drums and then the complete band, I knew this would be an album I would listen to repeatedly. It goes without saying that each of these musicians are exceptional in their own right, but I also appreciate how the compositions allow everyone to explore the music and to stretch out. What I really admire about everyone's playing is that there is always a strong bluesy undertone, which perfectly compliments and supports the musical notion of looking back, being present, and moving forward in a progressive manner. Rhythmically, there is an abundance of groove and energy in an extremely mature musical way. I love the compositions and arrangements for the two horns, and if it isn't clear, I am currently on a Mark Turner binge, and he sounds especially good here.
Misterioso - Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts
Released October 2022 on GSI Records
Mark Turner - tenor saxophone
Orlando Le Fleming - double bass
Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts - drums
Another chord-less album with Mark Turner... While I love original compositions, I also appreciate albums that incorporate standards performed in an understated, straightforward, and contemporary manner. While there are some arrangements of the tunes (I really enjoy their version of Countdown), they generally just play the tunes, with a strong emphasis on making it swing, groove and feel really good. Hearing contemporary musicians play this repertoire always feels like a treat to me. The opening slow blues establishes the album's overall vibe: nothing 'flashy', but everyone simply locking in and playing absolutely amazingly. Also Jeff sounding ridiculous throughout.
Letters From Afar - Alex Hitchcock
Released September 2025 on New Soil Records
Alex Hitchcock - tenor saxophone
Dave Adewumi - trumpet
Lex Korten - piano, fender rhodes
Harish Raghavan - bass
Jongkuk Kim - drums
I find music extremely inspirational when my friends make great albums, and I'm extremely happy for Alex with his most recent release. Alex has a really unique approach to composition, which contributes so much to each aspect: melodically, harmonically, and rhythmically. I also enjoy compositions that are relatively "complex" but never lose sight of the melodic elements that make them sound good above all else. I believe composers such as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ambrose Akinmisure, and Walter Smith III exemplify this approach. The ensemble includes some incredible musicians of my generation from New York, and everyone plays brilliantly throughout, all very much steeped in tradition but with such distinct and unique voices on their instruments. EO is a personal favourite, both in terms of composition and performance, it's really beautiful.
About Ghosts - Mary Halvorson
Released June 2025 on Nonesuch Records
Mary Halvorson - guitar (1-8), synth (Pocket Piano) (1–3, 8)
Immanuel Wilkins - alto saxophone (1-2, 4-5)
Brian Settles - tenor saxophone (1-2, 5, 8)
Adam O’Farrill - trumpet (1-8)
Jacob Garchik - trombone (1-8)
Patricia Brennan - vibraphone (1-8)
Nick Dunston - bass (1-8)
Tomas Fujiwara - drums (1-8)
I love large ensemble writing, and guitarist and composer Mary Halvorson's new album contains some very interesting writing and playing. For me it sounds like it has a strong Steve Lehman influence (amongst an array of others, and without taking away from her unique writing approach) and reminds me of his album 'Mise en Abîme' in a great way. There's so much density, and I deeply enjoy the sound world that the album exists in; she truly makes the most of each instrument with her writing, while also allowing everyone to bring their unique musical personality to the music. I also love her use of effects when playing. It's definitely one of those albums where new elements emerge with each listen and make the experience more intriguing each time.
