Here are a pair of albums from veteran guitarists that have their own voice and style.
Jon Lundbom likes his bands with a big sax sound, here using the talents of Justin Wod/as-ss and bryan Murray/ten-bals along with the flexible rhythm team of Moppa Elliott/b and Dan Monaghan/dr. The team gives a post bopping groove to the thick and palpable “People Be Talking” and Lundbom gets bluesy for the laconic and sighing “Basic Bitches.” The horns get Mingusy chaotic for “Fussing Blues’ and thick as thieves for the rocking “Prednisone” while Monaghan leads the charge as Lundbom supplies the sharp angles for “Three Plus.” Fluid molten gold.
Doug MacDonald has a rich and cool tone that has swing in its dna. He forms a simpatico trio with bassist Harvie S and drummer Steve Williams for a mix of jazz covers and originals. His gorgeous sound is in full enjoyment as he delivers a solo aria on a delicate “Corcovado” while his easy pulse is in jogger’s mode for “Griff” and a bopping take of “The Song Is You.” MacDonald dances over some nimble bass and drums for Harvie S’s “Most of the Things” while his own “Al’s Pals” has the Harvie S snapping with delight. Williams’ sticks supply a nice backbeat for “Gateway Blues” and seductively rumbles for “Speak Low.” This is a sleek collection of sonatas.