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Fans who enjoy sipping a martini
in a smoky club and listening to swinging
jazz can now recreate the experience in the privacy of their
own homes. All it takes is some olives (for the martinis), some
heavy-smoking friends (or for more politically correct listeners,
a good smoke generator), and the latest Johnny Nocturne Band
release, Wild and Cool.
The Johnny Nocturne band was
formed by saxophonist Johnny Fermin in 1989 and features a four-horn
frontline backed by a talented rhythym section. The horns allow
for the occasional big band swing feel while still maintaining
the tight sound of a good ensemble jazz combo. On "Wild
and Cool," their third album, they sound polished and balanced
with enough
dashes of cool and smooth to make this reviewer want to start
saying "Go, Cat, Go!"
The Johnny Noctrune Band features
John Firmin (Tenor Sax, Clarinet),
Brenda Boykin (Vocals), Alex Baum (Bass), Henry Salvia (Piano),
Anthony Paulie (Guitar), Kent Bryson (Drums), Marty Wehner (Trombone),
Bill Ortiz (Trumpet), and Rob Sudduth (Baritone Sax). They combine
to create a sound that features jazz, bop, swing, and even
a smidgen of the blues.
The first track, "Lemon
Twist," is a laid-back, unassuming swing number that gives
the listener their first taste of the four-horn sound. It also
introduces Brenda Boykin's smooth, bluesy vocal style. Her voice
is perfectly suited to the mood and feel of this ensemble.
The next two tracks, "New
Kind of Mambo" and "Tu Ma Qui Te"
are faster paced than "Lemon Twist." The combined effects
of the jiving piano sound, the more highly charged horn section,
and Boykin's vocals give these tracks an almost Dixieland feel.
On the club circuit, they'd work equally well in New Orleans
and Chicago.
Following this, the band serves
up a slow, moving take on the Duke
Ellington song "Don't Get Around Much Any More." Each
of the instruments in the song is made to sound as pensive and
wistful as the vocalist. The half-minute clarinet lead in the
middle of the song is enough to thrill even the most jaded efficianado.
The band throws in some K.C.
jive on the track "Hey, Mister Jessie." This is a toe-tapping,
head-bobbing number, and features an unusual guitar solo during
hte bridge. Next up is "Pound of Blues," which allows
each member to embark on a short solo, punctuated by bursts from
the full horn section. "Pound of Blues" is a perfect
example of the intensity this band can achieve when they go all-out.
The piano becomes the feature
on the rocking "At My Front Door."
This is an imminently memorable Boogie-Woogie type piece, and
Silva's piano licks have to be heard to be believed. I could
almost imagine myself playing the same licks (given 8-10 hands
to work with and a couple of pots of strong coffee.) He virtually
unleashes fireworks during his solo. Finally, Boykin and bassist
Alex Baum engage in a duet before the entire band joins in on
the final chorus.
Another track I really enjoyed
is "After the Lights Go Down Low."
This song features the soulful, sultry swing that, to my ear,
makes jazz
such a pleasurable experience. If you're not "in the mood"
after this song, you'd better check yourself for a pulse!
There are 11 tracks on this
album and there wasn't one that I was
disappointed with. Fans of jazz and swing should definitely add
this to their
collection, along with anyone else wanting to try something a
little
different, a little wild and a little cool. I highly recommend
checking
it out. |
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