Taurey Butler: One Of The Others

An East Orange, New Jersey native now firmly entrenched in the Montreal jazz scene, pianist Taurey Butler's approach to his music and that of others (Charlie Chaplin's eternal "Smile," The Beatle's "Can't Buy Me Love," Stevie Wonder's "I Can Only Be Me," and Cole Porter's "What Is This Thing Called Love?") strides across generations and genres to bubble up as an assured, soulful, and full-bodied sound.

Butler's self-titled debut on Justin Time Records was released in 2011. Now with the release of One of the Others, we may all begin to wonder what took so damn long and where has he been. Because One of the Others is a throwback trio set with the blues in its bones and in its blood and God bless him for that.

Think Oscar Peterson's joyous, visceral swing and you'll get a true handle on where Butler and his wry, solid team mates, bassist Morgan Moore and drummer Wali Muhammad are coming from. Full on sway and swagger define One of the Others' title tune breaks like a full steam live set opener. Canadian-born Artis Lane, who sculpted the bust of Sojourner Truth that now sits in the White House, is the inspiration behind Butler's genteel Dave Brubeck-ian waltz, "Artis Lane." The track's dancing filigree illuminates both strength and the grace.

The brief "Swappin' Lies" bursts with a witty bravado and a high speed solo by bassist Moore. Another original, "On the Natch," sports a robust drive with Butler playing all-out Peterson. You can almost see the smile on everyone's face while recording this one. Chaplin's "Smile" follows and, though Chaplin had retired the character by the time he wrote this masterpiece for the 1936 film Modern Times, the tune sashays and struts merrily like the little Tramp himself. There's even a Keystone Kops-like chase at the end. It's a whimsical delight from beginning to finish.

"Sisyphean Task" jauntily marches forward, and despite the pianist's liner notes that the track was written to express the pain and frustration we all too often experience, it doesn't feel like it. "Can't Buy Me Love," Lennon and McCartney's pure power pop 60's nugget, is given a bravely subdued approach as if to remind one and all that love does have its cost as it certifies One of the Others as an album too damn good to pass up.

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