Matt Von Roderick: Celestial Heart

Once taking in  this kaleidoscopic album by trumpeter and vocalist Matt von Roderick, one must ask, “Who are you trying to be?” as there seems no unifying collection of ideas or moods. With legendary drummer Jim Keltner as well as Johnny Lee Schell/g, Alvin Shulman/vi, Barry Goldberg/key, Mike Valerio/b and Gil Golstein/p-orc, Von Roderick ranges from edgy and abstract trumpet on a prismatic “Fly Me To The Moon” the hipster Mose Allison with Schell on “The Seventh Son”. Keltner and Valerio give  a funky beat for some muted trumpet on “Crepuscule On Jupiter”, while a a synthy turns into a Jackson Pollock painting on “Cantaloupe Island”. The team sizzles best on “Plaing Among The Stars” and The leader is in Chet Baker form on a pretty and laconic “I Fall In L ove Too Easily”. Something for everyone, or for no one?

www.mattvonroderick.com

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