Not only is Seattle known for giving us Starbucks coffee, but it is the home of Origin Records, who gives dome fresh sounding modern jazz sounds from rising stars. Here are a couple newer releases that show promise.
Drummer Tad Britton brings together Hans Teuber/sax-key-fl, Jeff Johnson/b and Pete Fogle/g for some fresh post bop sounds. Most of the material is composed by Johnson, which explains the clever bass work on many of the tracks such as the freewheeling “ Gone”and the funky interplay between bass, drum and guitar on “Fox Hunt.” A folksy “Gaia” mixes percussion with Teuber’s soprano sax, while a husky tenor is palpable on the impassioned “Seclusion” and conversant “Beijing.” A rich mix of structure and free form.
Tenor saxist Juli Wood leads a quartet with Alejandro Urzagaste/g, Clark Sommers/b and Mike Schlick/dr to explore meldoes and themes from Finland. Traditional melodies from Scandinavia include a rich and lyrical “Lapin Aidin Kehto Laulu” and “”Taivas on Sininen ja Volkoinen”, both displaying deft lyricism by Wood’s misty tenor and Urzagaste’s textured guitar. A pair of pieces by Finnish artist Matti Jurva completes the circuit with a thoughtful “Touhinen Sormus” and sublimely pulsating “Valiaikainen.” You don’t need subtitles to enjoy this material.