There is a dinner jazz quality to A Sunday Kind of Love by the Alex Levin Trio. And even though there is no pretense of art here, the infectious happiness of the album would certainly destress anyone who has had a rough day. Pianist Levin composed five of the ten numbers on the album, and he is accompanied by the spry playing of bassist Phil Rowan and drummer Ben Cliness.
In addition to originals, the album covers standards. The title cut, "A Sunday Kind of Love," is a bluesy ballad slowed down, perfect for an intimate dance with that special someone. The 1950 Irving Berlin number, "The Best Thing for You (Is Me)," is given a lively reading. Levin sprinkles the keys with a light touch and his left hand harmonizes well with the right while Cliness has a small role in the action when he solos in brief spurts. Cole Porter's "What Is This Thing Called Love?" is also up-tempo and delivered with verve. And humorously, on the Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein number "I've Told Every Little Star," Levin quotes the theme song of the game show "Jeopardy."
The beauty of the album, however, lies with the originals. Levin's opening number "Sweets" is straight-ahead fun which bounces like one of those inflated balls that hovers over stadium fans at a baseball game . His "Jetsetter" has an upbeat Frank Sinatra kind of vibe. His "Blue's for Wynton Kelly" has hints of the theme to the TV show "The Odd Couple." On "At Least We're Together," Levin tastefully applies the pedal to carry the song. And on his "Strolling Through Yonkers," Rowan breaks from his walking bass lines to add a pleasant solo.
Levin plays with an assurance and confidence which suggests lots of rehearsal time. His attacks are precise, and his chords are both musically coherent and delivered with a high degree of accuracy. The arrangements feature a supportive rhythm section. Cliness stays with the brushes on most of the numbers—a kind of soft shoe rhythm -while Rowan walks the bass. Everything has a cool effect. Even the Richard Rodgers show tune "The Surrey with a Fringe on Top" from the musical Oklahoma is given a kind of loose swing.
Sweet, charming, bubbly, the Alex Levin Trio's A Sunday Kind of Love is a cozy set. One could certainly listen to it during pleasant conversation in a bar or at home, drinks in hand, fireplace in the background.
By DON PHIPPS
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/a-sunday-kind-of-love-alex-levin-alex-levin-music
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Hay una cena con calidad de jazz en "A Sunday Kind of Love" del Alex Levin Trio. Y aunque no hay ninguna pretensión de arte aquí, la felicidad contagiosa del álbum ciertamente destruiría a cualquiera que haya tenido un día difícil. El pianista Levin compuso cinco de los diez números del álbum, y está acompañado por el toque ágil del bajista Phil Rowan y el baterista Ben Cliness.
Además de los originales, el álbum cubre los estándares. El corte del título, "A Sunday Kind of Love", es una balada bluesera ralentizada, perfecta para un baile íntimo con ese alguien especial. El número de Irving Berlin de 1950, "La mejor cosa para ti (soy yo)", es una lectura animada. Levin rocía las teclas con un ligero toque y su mano izquierda armoniza bien con la derecha mientras que Cliness tiene un pequeño papel en la acción cuando hace un solo en breves rachas. "What Is This Thing Called Love?", de Cole Porter, también es de ritmo acelerado y se presenta con entusiasmo. Y con humor, en el número de Jerome Kern y Oscar Hammerstein "I've Told Every Little Star", Levin cita la canción del programa de juegos "Jeopardy".
La belleza del álbum, sin embargo, reside en los originales. El número de apertura de Levin "Sweets" es una diversión directa que rebota como una de esas pelotas infladas que se ciernen sobre los fans del estadio en un juego de béisbol . Su "Jetsetter" tiene una vibración optimista como la de Frank Sinatra. Su "Blue's for Wynton Kelly" tiene un toque del tema del programa de TV "The Odd Couple". En "Al menos estamos juntos", Levin aplica con gusto el pedal para llevar la canción. Y en "Strolling Through Yonkers", Rowan rompe sus líneas de bajo andante para añadir un agradable solo.
Levin toca con una seguridad y confianza que sugiere mucho tiempo de ensayo. Sus ataques son precisos, y sus acordes son coherentes musicalmente y entregados con un alto grado de precisión. Los arreglos cuentan con una sección rítmica de apoyo. Cliness se queda con los pinceles en la mayoría de los números, una especie de ritmo de zapato suave, mientras Rowan camina el bajo. Todo tiene un efecto genial. Incluso el tema del show de Richard Rodgers "The Surrey with a Fringe on Top" del musical Oklahoma tiene una especie de swing suelto.
Dulce, encantador, burbujeante, A Sunday Kind of Love del Trío Alex Levin es un acogedor conjunto. Uno podría ciertamente escucharlo durante una agradable conversación en un bar o en casa, bebidas en mano, chimenea en el fondo.
Por DON PHIPPS
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/a-sunday-kind-of-love-alex-levin-alex-levin-music
Tracks:
1. Sweets (Levin)
2. A Sunday Kind of Love (Belle, Leonard, Rhodes, and Prima)
3. The Jetsetters (Levin)
4. The Surrey with the Fringe on Top (Rodgers/Hammerstein)
5. Blues for Wynton K. (Levin)
6. At Least We’re Together (Levin)
7. The Best Thing for You (Is Me) (Berlin)
8. Strolling Through Yonkers (Levin)
9. What Is This Thing Called Love? (Porter)
10. I’ve Told Ev’ry Little Star (Kern/Hammerstein)
Personnel:
Alex Levin: piano;
Phil Rowan: bass;
Ben Cliness: drums and percussion.
Record Label: Alex Levin Music
Year Released: 2019
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