It seemed for awhile that after the producer of Arbors Records, Mat Domber, died in 2012, the swinging little label might just cash in its chips. However, it seems to have bounced back with a hip release last year by Bryan Shaw, and now we’ve got a pair of beauties that mix small group swing and vocals.
Kat Gang’s got a lyrical lilt to her charming voice and teams up with an all star team that includes the venerable rhythm guitar of Bucky Pizzarelli along with Mike Renzi/p, Jay Leonhart/b, Joe Ascione/dr, Warren Vache/tp, John Allred/tb and the warm toned tenor of Harry Allen. Chearful and endearing on pieces such as “Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams” and “I Wish I Were in Love Again,” she can also get down an wrestle wity you on “Baby, Baby All The Time” and “Hard Hearted Hannah.” Delicate on “Solitude” she embraces you with a sweet as apple cider “More Than You Know.” Heart warming standards.
The nifty trio of Rossano sportiello/p, Eddie Metz/dr and Nicki Parrott/b/voc swings like there’s no tomorrow on this mix of standards, originals and true classics. Of the latter, “Jesu, Joy of Men’s Desiring” by Johnny Bach and “Piano Sonata N.8 Op 13” by Larry Beethoven sound right up to date as well as eternal, while Quincy Jones’ “Quintessence” his as rich as Green & Black’s Organic Dark Chocolate. Parrott’s voice is a charmer, as she displays on “It’s a Good Day” and the intriguing “Too Late Now.” This is truly and underappreciated jazz trio, and needs to be brought to your attention.
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Arbors Records