Russ Spiegel: Caribbean Blue

Pleasant music with ample color and variety—that's an apt description of Caribbean Blue, the latest albulm from California-bred, Florida-based guitarist Russ Spiegel, who has surrounded himself with world-class musicians and given them rein to canvass ten of his generally engaging compositions and bring them admirably to life.

While everything on offer is respectable, it is the album's midsection—tracks 3-8—that rise above the others and lend the session much of its vitality and charm. After harmonica virtuoso Hendrik Meurkens enriches the album's charming title song, the ensemble's three horns—trumpeter Brian Lynch, tenor saxophonist Tim Armacost and trombonist Javier Nero—perform together for the first time on the lively, Caribbean-flavored "Island Song" and again on the emphatic "Slippery Slope," soloing superbly on each of them.

The session's lone ballad, "Inquietude," whose Portuguese lyrics are handsomely sung by Ben Beal, precedes the nonchalant "Retribution Blues," on which Armacost and organist Jim Gasior ensnare the even-tempered groove, a mind-set supplanted by momentum and heat on "The Streets of Milan," a flat-out swinger wherein Lynch, Armacost and drummer Lucas Apostoleris solo with adeptness and enthusiasm—as does Spiegel. And speaking of Spiegel—who is, after all, the leader—he solos persuasively throughout, his clear and mellow guitar providing a gentle counterpoint to the horns and a glue-like foundation for the ensemble.

The tracks not yet mentioned—which are fine, but a step or so below the others—are "The Underdown Groove," "E. 22nd St." and "Smooth Move." As far as can be determined, Meurkens appears on four tracks including the brief finale, "Coda," trombonist Nero on the two songs already noted. Elsewhere, the group is basically a quartet or quintet with Lynch and/or Armacost on the front line. Considered end to end, Caribbean Blue is a well above average session with a number of pleasurable moments and first-rate performances by all hands.