New Releases Spotlight: Week of September 29, 2014

In the Music Lounge this week, we’ve got some great new releases that we’re playing on the air, and a couple of great new discs that you’ll hear on the overnight hours and during Notes From the Jazz Underground…

Nancy Kelly - B That Way
First off, vocalist Nancy Kelly has a new disc out called B That Way.  It’s a fine vocal album, and she doesn’t stick to the evergreens.  There are some nice versions of "The Great City," "Billie’s Bounce" and the Billie Holiday classic "Don’t Explain" to be found here.  She’s joined by an all-star lineup here…Peter Bernstein on guitar, Jerry Weldon on tenor and the young and phenomenal drummer Carmen Intorre.  It’s definitely worth a listen, so when you hear it come on…turn it up!

Michael Dease - Relentless
Michael Dease has a new album out with a big band called Relentless.  The album’s name pretty well describes the nature of the album.  Mostly upbeat and definitely exciting, Dease has been on a roll as of late, and that continues here.  Fans of Bill O’Connell’s Sunday night program New Vintage will be excited for this one.

 

John Webber - Down for the Count
Finally, guitarist John Webber has a new disc out on Cory Weeds’ Cellar Live Records called Down for the Count.  Recorded live, it’s full of mid-tempo swingin’ gems that make for good listening.  The true treat of the album, however, is tenor legend George Coleman, who pops up on two cuts, "Big G Blues" and "Make Someone Happy."  The rest of the album is a nice listen, but Coleman lifts those two songs into some rarified territory, and you’ll day will definitely be made better when you hear either of them here on WDCB.
 

Lowdown Brass Band - Lowndown Sounds
Hood Smoke - Regular Neurotic
This week on Notes From the Jazz Underground, you can also hear new music from Chicago’s very own Lowdown Brass Band and Hood Smoke.  Hood Smoke is an R&B/rock group made up of some of Chicago’s finest young jazz musicians, and it’s a fiery album full of great tunes.  Lowdown Brass Band’s latest, Lowdown Sounds is funky and relaxed.  And while it lacks some of the grit and grime that makes Rebirth Brass Band or Hot 8 so amazing, they make up for it with excellent soloing and a great song selection – their take on Roy Ayers’ "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" is sublime and will be a highlight of this week’s Notes From the Jazz Underground. 

I’ll be back next week with some more new music highlights in the Music Lounge!