Trumpet player Shareef Clayton delivers a mood to be woo-ed album here. His core team of Chris Pattishall/key, Jameison Ledonio/g, Alex Busby Smith/b, Bendji Allonce/perc and Adam Jackson/dr keep it gentle and sweet on material such as “Softly as a Morning Sunrise” and the title track. Some strings are added on the thoughtful “Going Home” and “Thinking of Morris” and some vintage R&B vocals are provided by Chandlar on “Beyond the Dreams.” Clayton’s tone glows throughout here, with a nice mix with Troy Roberts’ tenor on “Emotions.” Nice for a candlelight dinner.
Pianist Enrico Pieranunzi keeps the horns floating like cirrus clouds as he teams of brass-meister ralp Alessi with Donny McCaslin/ts-ss and Matt Penman/b for a drummerless, lighter than air affair. There is a graceful lilt with piano and horn on “(In)Canto” and ALessi’s horn goes bel canto on the rich aria of “Proximity.” McCaslin’s tenor teams with the horn for a lovely ¾ dance on “No-Nonsense,” which also brings to mind how important Penman’s bass is during this entire format. He swings with Pieranunzi to form a net for Alessi’s trapeze act on “Simul” and provides a hip little line for Alexxi and the leader on “Line For Lee.” Fragrant and soft like fresh cotton candy.
Harlem River Records
Cam Jazz Records