UPTOWN VOCAL JAZZ QUARTET w/ RICHIE COLE - Vocal Madness
HouseKat Records
Ginny Carr (alto vocal); Holly Shockey (soprano vocal); Robert McBride (tenor vocal); André Enceneat (bass vocal;
Richie Cole (alto saxophone); Steve Herberman (guitar); Alan Blackman (piano); Max Murray (bass); Frank Russo (drums);
additional musicians - Chris Walker (trumpet); Leigh Pilzer (tenor saxophone); Chris Vidala (alto saxophone); Jen Krupa (trombone); Chris Rose (percussion)
What a wonderful swinging affair this is. Music that is full of joy, yet has that undercurrent of virtuosity that only comes from a dedication and countless hours of practice at ones craft, only at the end to make it all so natural and easy.
After hearing the Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet's (UVJQ) tribute to singer Eddie Jefferson 'He Was The Cat' back in 2012, saxophonist Richie Cole declared that he had found "my new discovery, everything, the whole package". No stranger to vocalese, Cole had a close friendship and working relationship with Eddie Jefferson and has also worked closely with The Manhattan Transfer on three of their Grammy-winning albums, and from who the UPJQ undoubtedly draw their inspiration. I must admit to having a strong liking for The Manhattan Transfer and theirVocalese album from 1985 (on which Cole play)s, remains one of my favourite albums in this style. Now to this esteemed company I can add Vocal Madness.
Coming from a direct suggestion from Richie Cole that they collaborate together, the new album features a selection of originals, a standard, and the music from a hit TV show. The originals come from the pen of the altoist who invited Ginny Carr arrange them for the quartets four part harmonies, rhythm section and alto. Carr also arranges some of her own songs for the recording and proves herself as no slouch as a songwriter and arranger. Just listen to her beautiful ballad 'So You're Gone' and the uptempo 'Take Me Away'; and not overlooking the impressive reading of 'He Was The Cat' with a little big band, and featuring some fine playing from Cole and is the piece responsible for getting the project started.
Good stuff abounds with a wonderful blues in the shape of 'I Got Friends' (and incidently another Ginny Carr original). Making the most of some nice material written by the altoist, the UVJQ swing hard on 'Now I Have Everything But You' and the harmonies are quite lush yet not over ripe on 'Tokyo Rose Sings The Blues'. The solitary standard, 'Pure Imagination' is cleverly arranged sans rhythm section for four part harmony and Richie's solo alto searching and probing the songs structure before giving way one again to the acapella voices.
Not afraid to shake things up a bit, the surprise of the album is saved for the finale, 'I Love Lucy' and is a collaborative work with the instrumental arrangement by Richie Cole and the voices arranged by Ginny Carr. From the vocal introduction, the band picks up a calypso rhythm for the start of the alto solo which then eases into a brisk straight ahead section for some fearsome blowing from Cole before the calypso feel is reprised for an unexpected coda complete with quote from Sonny Rollins' 'St Thomas'.
From start to finish this is serious music making that communicates on all levels, and while bringing a smile to the face serves to remind us just what it is that we love so much about this wonderful sound we call jazz.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
HouseKat Records
Ginny Carr (alto vocal); Holly Shockey (soprano vocal); Robert McBride (tenor vocal); André Enceneat (bass vocal;
Richie Cole (alto saxophone); Steve Herberman (guitar); Alan Blackman (piano); Max Murray (bass); Frank Russo (drums);
additional musicians - Chris Walker (trumpet); Leigh Pilzer (tenor saxophone); Chris Vidala (alto saxophone); Jen Krupa (trombone); Chris Rose (percussion)
What a wonderful swinging affair this is. Music that is full of joy, yet has that undercurrent of virtuosity that only comes from a dedication and countless hours of practice at ones craft, only at the end to make it all so natural and easy.
After hearing the Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet's (UVJQ) tribute to singer Eddie Jefferson 'He Was The Cat' back in 2012, saxophonist Richie Cole declared that he had found "my new discovery, everything, the whole package". No stranger to vocalese, Cole had a close friendship and working relationship with Eddie Jefferson and has also worked closely with The Manhattan Transfer on three of their Grammy-winning albums, and from who the UPJQ undoubtedly draw their inspiration. I must admit to having a strong liking for The Manhattan Transfer and theirVocalese album from 1985 (on which Cole play)s, remains one of my favourite albums in this style. Now to this esteemed company I can add Vocal Madness.
Coming from a direct suggestion from Richie Cole that they collaborate together, the new album features a selection of originals, a standard, and the music from a hit TV show. The originals come from the pen of the altoist who invited Ginny Carr arrange them for the quartets four part harmonies, rhythm section and alto. Carr also arranges some of her own songs for the recording and proves herself as no slouch as a songwriter and arranger. Just listen to her beautiful ballad 'So You're Gone' and the uptempo 'Take Me Away'; and not overlooking the impressive reading of 'He Was The Cat' with a little big band, and featuring some fine playing from Cole and is the piece responsible for getting the project started.
Good stuff abounds with a wonderful blues in the shape of 'I Got Friends' (and incidently another Ginny Carr original). Making the most of some nice material written by the altoist, the UVJQ swing hard on 'Now I Have Everything But You' and the harmonies are quite lush yet not over ripe on 'Tokyo Rose Sings The Blues'. The solitary standard, 'Pure Imagination' is cleverly arranged sans rhythm section for four part harmony and Richie's solo alto searching and probing the songs structure before giving way one again to the acapella voices.
Not afraid to shake things up a bit, the surprise of the album is saved for the finale, 'I Love Lucy' and is a collaborative work with the instrumental arrangement by Richie Cole and the voices arranged by Ginny Carr. From the vocal introduction, the band picks up a calypso rhythm for the start of the alto solo which then eases into a brisk straight ahead section for some fearsome blowing from Cole before the calypso feel is reprised for an unexpected coda complete with quote from Sonny Rollins' 'St Thomas'.
From start to finish this is serious music making that communicates on all levels, and while bringing a smile to the face serves to remind us just what it is that we love so much about this wonderful sound we call jazz.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
