Storyville Records is better known for releasing vintage jazz material ranging from Louis Armstrong to Ben Webster, but they are still able to put out some new material by Danish jazz artists (that’s not an oxymoron is it?). This one is a dandy. Bassist Jesper Lundgaard leads a trio with Hans Ulrik/ts and Miclas Knudsen/g through a fun filled anthology of material associated with the soulful bebopper Cannonball Adderley.
What makes this disc so infectious and enjoyable is that the mix of guitar, tenor sax and bass is completely unlike anything associated with the alto icon, so there is nothing to compare in terms of sound or harmonies. Everyone takes turns creating infectious riffs on songs, such as on “Sack O Woe” and “This Here” which in these cases allows for Lundgaard to let his bow do some funky and soulful sawing. Knudsen’s delicate fingerwork on “Stars Fell On Alabama” is a dainty delicacy, and Ulrik’s tenor is warm and inviting on Joe Zawinul’s “Walk Tall” and Adderley’s own “Nippon Soul.” More than anything else, the mix of these three gents creating concisely swinging sounds from an underappreciated songbook make this a treasure chest worth diving into. Enjoy!!!
Storyville Records
www.storyvillerecords.com