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Jeremy Pelt: The Art of Intimacy, Vol. 2/His Muse
ByAssuming there must have been a reason (no matter how unclear) for that, the obvious path forward is to bypass what is relatively unimportant and appraise the music on its own terms. As the album's title suggests, Pelt has chosen to perform a selection of smooth and sensuous ballads, modified solely by subtle changes in mood or tempo. Most are played open, one ("There'll Be Other Times") is muted. On the other hand, considering its placid point of view, the entire album could be deemed "muted" in its own way. That includes Henry Mancini's "Two for the Road," on which Pelt not only plays trumpet but sings (in a voice barely above a whisper) to close the album.
Within those parameters, Pelt plays quite well, as do Gould, Williams and Hart, as each one is a seasoned pro who always brings the best he has to any session, recorded or otherwise. As for the strings, they lend glossy window dressing to their five selections and are otherwise unobtrusive. Pelt's horn is most prominent, as it should be, while everyone else lends stalwart support. As most of the songs (including a pair by Pelt) are relatively unfamiliar, he avoids one pitfall, that of overworking themes his audience may have heard too many times before.
Besides "Two for the Road," songs that may jog the memory include Mancini's "Slow Hot Wind" and Leslie Bricusse's "If I Ruled the World." Pelt wrote the opener, ..."For Whom I Love So Much," and "Blues in Sophistication." If ballads are your thing, The Art of Intimacy should be agreeable and heartwarming. If you're a Pelt fan who prefers jazz that snaps and sizzles, you'll have to bide your time until he changes course.
Track Listing
For Whom I Love So Much; Slow Hot Wind; If I Ruled the World; I Can’t Escape from You; There’ll Be Other Times; Don’t Love Me; Blues in Sophistication; Two Different Worlds; When She Makes Music; Two for the Road.
Personnel
Jeremy Pelt
trumpetVictor Gould
pianoBuster Williams
bass, acousticBilly Hart
drumsChico Pinheiro
guitarAlbum information
Title: The Art of Intimacy, Vol. 2/His Muse | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: HighNote Records
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