Missing melody, harmony and sublime swing? Me too! Got a cure for you-check out this THREE, count ‘em THREE disc set from tenor saxist and conductor David Angel, as he brings in some of LA’s finest studio studs for an album that makes you think of the halcyon days of West Coast Cool.
The arrangement have a Birth of the Cool feel of Miles Davis, Shorty Rogers, Gerry Mulligan or even a dash of 50s Gil Evans. The lighter than air rhythm team of John Chiodini/g, Susan Quam/b and Paul Kriebich/dr float over easy swingers like the bluesy “Ah Rite!” and classy “Hershey Bar” while the mellifluous sax work by Phil Feather, Gene Cipriano, Jim Quam, Tom Peterson and Bob Carr is as fluffy as a cirrus cloud on “L’ilo Vasche” and the velvety “Dark Passage” with each solo delivered in the Art Pepper-Bud Shank-Teddy Edwards tradition. The brass team of Ron Stout, Stephanie O’Keefe, Scott Whitfield and anchorman Jim Self on tuba adds depth to the 3-D richness of “Leaves” and the dark hues of “Moonlight” while the team shows its bop chops on fun tunes such as “Out On The Coast 3”. There’s lots of room for solos, creating a perfect mix of form and freedom. This collection will last you through the COVID crisis!