New York-based Zoho Records continues to build up a strong catalogue of jazz that mixes the tradition with a dash of looking forward. Here are a couple of there most recent releases.
Guitarist Greg Diamond brings together a swinging team of Stacy Dillard/ts-ss, Seamus Blake/ts, Mike Eckroth/p, Peter Slavov/b, Henry Cole/dr and Mauricia Herrera/perc for some creative originals. His picking is like gentle droplets along with Dillard’s soprano on “Rastros” and shows fragrant picking on the spacious “Hint of Jasmine” with her tenor in tow. The rhythm team creates a lurking pulse on “Gentrix” while teaming up for a hip groove on “Cascade.” Eckroth is particularly somber with the leader on “Ultima Palabra” and the band gets impressionistic during “Motion Suite.” Lots of rewards here.
Pianist Albert Marques leads an adventurous team of Walter Stinson/b and Zack O’Farrill/dr though a mix of originals and clever covers. He shows rich ectomorphic strength on the rich read of Bill Wither’s “Ain’t No Sunshine” while O’Farrill displays deft brush work on Wayne Shorter’s Iris.” The team bops with dramatic interplay as Stinson bears down on “IDN” and O’Farrill does a table dance during “Doble Sur.” Marques’ touch delivers deep chords on “Foggy Conscience” and is crystalline as he reflects on”Alan Watts.” Strong form.
Zoho Records