Jamie Ousley: Back Home

One of the most in-demand bassist in South Florida, Jamie Ousley comes Back Home with an eclectic collection of songs on his second album featuring nine originals, one standard and a Latin shaded rendition of a Frederic Chopin composition. Originally from Tennessee and now residing in Miami since 1998—where he teaches at Florida International University—the bassist used the international stage from where he draws much experience, to record part of this album. With his core trio band mates of pianist Phillip Strange and drummer Larry Marshall, Ousley recorded this effort in both Osaka, Japan and in Miami, where he assembled the rest of the ensemble found on Back Home.

Living in Miami, Ousley has experienced his fair share of salsa and gained a true appreciation of Latin music. After opening the program with the light and brisk "A Tune, Sir?," Ousley's love for Latin music takes over with the very spicy "Nashvillatino," an original tune in celebration of his Tennessee hometown which showcases renowned Costa Rican percussionist Carlomagano Araya. He carries the Latin theme one more time on another tribute to his beloved Tennessee with "Pasaje Tennessee" calling upon Venezuelan concert violinist Johnny Mendoza who performs on both the violin and mandolin. Miami-based saxophone great, Ira Sullivan is featured throughout the album playing the flugelhorn, soprano saxophone and alto flute.

"My Favorite Things" is the only standard on the disc but provides the bassist with moments of solo brilliance. He displays his appreciable talents introducing the perky "This Is It!" as Strange takes most of the limelight with an extended solo performance in between Sullivan's soprano forays. There are two versions of the title track, an instrumental and a vocal piece where Ousley teams up with Palm Beach singer and friend Sharon Ann Marie Mapp, professionally known as SAMM. The instrumental rendition features the soprano saxophone voice of Ed Calle, another Miami-based musician of note.

In a farewell tribute to his uncle, Lee Ousley, who passed away of cancer in 2009, Miami baritone vocalist LeNard Rutledge sings the humble lyrics to Ousley's "So Long" accompanied by Sullivan on the soprano. "Prayer" is the other somber piece of music and the last to offer vocals with Nanami Morikawa singing briefly to the pianists' light chords and Sullivan's alto flute expressions. Delivering a solid jazzy embrace, Back Home could turn out to be the best home coming bassist Jamie Ousley may ever celebrate. With an all-star cast of musicians enhancing Ousley's music, this recording merits far more than a sample.