The multi-textured sounds of New Orleans are featured here in a pair of albums. The jewel of Louisiana has all of its prismatic colors shining brightly.
Trombonist Matthew Hartnett takes you on a tour through various neighborhoods of the Crescent City here on this release. He starts at the church with a heartfelt “I Surrender All” that will make you want to never end, while he testifies with a fury on “Glory Glory Hallelujah.” Back on the main street, you get some hip modern R&B on “She’s in Spain” and funky disco keyboards on “Thursday Night.” Rapid fire rhythms on “No Patients” take you to some staccato beat on “Pump & Drive” before the album closes with a hip hopper in “da Crib” which features LaChrisha Brown. There’s a stop for everyone on this bus ride!
Jason Marsalis provides the soundtrack for the documentary Heirs as he plays both vibes and drums along with Ashlin Parker/tp, Joe Goldberg/ts-cl, Austin Johnson/p, Peter Harris/p and Geoff clap/dr. The sounds divide between a vibes quartet as on a gorgeous “Peace in the Forest” and “The South Is Asleep’ and the more fervent quintet as on “Theodore Shouts” and the stomping “The 21st Century Trad Band.” Marcus Roberts gets a solo feature on a warm and enriching “Didn’t Monk Ramble” which mixes bebop with Café Du Monde, while the band has a go at it on the next take. A nice bouncy stroll in your Sunday best here to check out the French Quarter.