Ralph Alessi: It’s Always Now

Taking the mantle from Art Farmer, trumpeter Ralph Alessi has become the standard bearer for polished brass in his playing. Here, teamed with Florian Weber/p, Banz Oester/b and Gerry Hemingway/dr, he focuses on melodic lyricism letting his tone do all of the work. With Hemingway’s brushes, Alessi is fragrant on “Residue” and fluffy for “The Shadow Side”. He hovers with Weber on a reflective”Migratory Party” and the two get dreamy on “His Hopes, His Fears , His Tears”. The team gets assertive on the Miles Davis ESP-ish “Portion Control” with the team playful and agitated. Musical mirth.

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