egroj world: Reuben Wilson • Azure Te

Monday, August 12, 2024

Reuben Wilson • Azure Te

Review
by Ken Dryden
It's hard to believe that jazz organist Reuben Wilson actually retired from music for a time beginning during the 1980s, but he went for a long spell without any recording opportunities as a leader, until a revival of interest in his music prompted steady work beginning in the middle of the following decade. Azure Te is an admirable effort because of Wilson's seasoned chops and the diversity of material selected for the session, in addition to the contributions of guitarist Rodney Jones, alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett, and drummer J.T. Lewis. Starting with a breezy interpretation of Charlie Parker's "Scrapple from the Apple," the quartet displays an amazing energy without resorting to overplaying at any point. One surprise is the wonderfully funky setting of the country ballad "Streets of Laredo," while "Summertime" benefits from a peppy setting, with a particularly thoughtful, bluesy solo by Jones. Wilson does justice to the late organist Wild Bill Davis' "Azure Te," a snappy yet understated swinger. Wilson's soul-jazz roots are on display in his invigorating originals "Still Grooving" and "Kitchen Fire Blues." Recommended.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/azure-te-mw0000822553

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Reseña
por Ken Dryden
Es difícil de creer que el organista de jazz Reuben Wilson se retirara de la música durante un tiempo a partir de la década de 1980, pero pasó una larga temporada sin ninguna oportunidad de grabación como líder, hasta que un resurgimiento del interés por su música impulsó un trabajo constante a partir de mediados de la década siguiente. Azure Te es un esfuerzo admirable por la experiencia de Wilson y la diversidad del material seleccionado para la sesión, además de las contribuciones del guitarrista Rodney Jones, el saxofonista alto Kenny Garrett y el batería J.T. Lewis. Comenzando con una interpretación desenfadada de "Scrapple from the Apple" de Charlie Parker, el cuarteto despliega una energía asombrosa sin recurrir a la sobreactuación en ningún momento. Una de las sorpresas es la maravillosa versión funky de la balada country "Streets of Laredo", mientras que "Summertime" se beneficia de una composición alegre, con un solo de blues particularmente reflexivo por parte de Jones. Wilson hace justicia a "Azure Te", del fallecido organista Wild Bill Davis, un swinger ágil pero discreto. Las raíces soul-jazz de Wilson se muestran en sus vigorizantes originales "Still Grooving" y "Kitchen Fire Blues". Recomendado.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/azure-te-mw0000822553

Tracks:
1 - Scrapple From The Apple
2 - Blues For RW
3 - Stella By Starlight
4 - Kitchen Fire Blues
5 - Summertime
6 - Once In A While
7 - Streets Of Laredo
8 - Still Grooving
9 - Azure Te

Credits:
    Alto Saxophone – Kenny Garrett
    Design [Graphic Design] – Steve Turmell
    Drums – J.T. Lewis
    Engineer, Mixed By, Mastered By – Ben Elliott
    Executive-Producer – Stephen Schiff
    Guitar – Rodney Jones
    Liner Notes – Pete Fallico
    Organ [Hammond B3] – Reuben Wilson
    Photography By – Rick Gilbert, Skyhook Entertainment, Inc, iStockphoto.com*
    Producer – Jack Kreisberg
    Producer [Producer For 18th & Vine] – Nate Snell
    Technician [Assistant] – Ben Sampson

Label:    18th & Vine – 18V 1059
Country:    US
Released:    2009
Genre:    Jazz
Style:    Jazz-Funk, Hard Bop
https://www.discogs.com/release/9856059-Reuben-Wilson-Azure-Te