Like those of us who have just returned from a trip to Disneyland, what we remember about our time there are the good rides, not the crowds and waiting in line. Likewise, trumpeter Eric Le Lann provides a moving tribute to the GOOD things we should remember about the tragic LA Cool Icon-an uncanny sense of melody and a tone that would disarm the most curmudgeoned hard bopper. Le Lann keeps the music light and bouncy by having the Spartan support of guitar (Nelson Veras) and bass (Gildas Bocle’) provide the flexible swing, ballads and blues. The lithe lilt and spaciousness of material such as “For Minors Only” makes the West Coast music sound amazingly fresh, while the rhythm team snaps on a cooking reading of Miles Davis’ “Milestones.” More desulatory material that is associated with Baker such as “Angel Eyes” and “I Am A Fool To Want You” is haunting and as bare as an empty cupboard, as Le Lann sounds vulnerable and almost ready to crack under the pressure. Lyricism abound on “The More I See You” and a spry take of Jobim’s “Zingaro,” making this a suitable anthology for everything right about melodic and fragile West Coast Jazz.
Bee Jazz
www.beejazz.com