Music Monday: New Jawn, Kendrick Scott, and the Necks

There have been a few releases this year that have found their way into my somewhat vintage era rotation and I kept meaning to do a blog post celebrate three of my favorites, but then I’d find this or that re-release and get distracted. Spring break gave me a bit of time to listen to music while doing some edits and reading.

First up is Christian McBride’s New Jawn’s Prime. It’s really nice example of straight ahead jazz with just enough swing and pop to make it feel contemporary and interesting (“Obsequious” is particularly fun and funky). McBride on bass is joined by Josh Evans on trumpet, Marcus Strickland on saxophone and bass clarinet (which I really dig), and drummer Nasheet Waits. I like the second track “Prime” in particular. It shows off McBride’s ever interesting bass lines and give the rest of the crew a chance to play a bit.

They conclude the album with some Sonny Rollins which is never a bad thing:  

The next album that’s been in rotation lately is Kendrick Scott’s Corridors. It too has a great bass player: Rueben Rogers and Walter Smith on saxophone. It has a really similar vibe with Rogers’ bass keeping things grounded and interesting and Smith’s saxophone is probing and soulful. 

I’ve listened to this album probably a dozen times and always something new to enjoy in it.

Finally, I’ve always enjoyed the spontaneity of recorded improvisation even if I haven’t always found the results compelling musically. The Necks’ new album Travel has gotten really good reviews even from the free jazz crowd.