While it’s not as groundbreaking as the debut album of Jaco Pastorius, this release by electric bassist Teymur Phell is a gorgeous demonstration of the breadth, width and depth of his instrument. He features it in a variety of settings, from solos to funky sextets, and they all work wondrously.
He uses space as a sound on the rich solo “Heyvanhana” and is vibrato is bel canto for ”Old Window.” In trio settings with Nitan Gabrieli/p-key and Lionel Cordew/dr, he’s pretty with the brushes on “Chances Are” and bopping with the best alongside the pianist on the hip “Blues For Who?”. With extra horns and Mike Stern on guitar, the team gets into a soulful R&B mode for “Papano Kimono” with bass and guitar getting into a nice wrestling match, while Itai Kriss’ flutes and Daniel Sadownick’s congas sizzle together on a Latin percolator of “Worth The Wait.” As for chops, well, just get a hold of Phell’s work with tenor saxist Chad Lefkowitz on the mercurial “Zero To Sixty” and try not to let the G forces throw you off the road. This guy’s got chops, taste and style. Any LA gigs coming up? YEAH!