Kenny Reichert: Deep Breath

Kenny Reichert is a Chicago-based guitarist of broad background, Berklee training, and wide-ranging tastes in pop and jazz. He has self-released one studio album, Interpretations (2015). Reichert records mostly originals. If you are looking for influences, "Spears" (a play on "Sphere"?) sounds Thelonious Sphere Monk-ish enough, with plenty of solo space for saxophonist Tony Barba woven in. Barba can hold his own with anyone.

Reichert does not shy away from vocals either. His lyricist and singer is Alyssa Allgood, who brings real sincerity to "Bashful," with Barba again soloing. Reichert's forte is playing pretty, and he does so to great effect here and on "Deep Breath" as well, a recitative vehicle for Allgood featuring Barba on soprano that is smooth, but not syrupy. It is not until the boppish "Skip" that the band takes anything up. They manage well enough that, if only for balance, it would be nice to hear Reichert burning a little more often. There is no doubt that this group can play lovely melodies at a moderate tempo, but it is always good to let listeners know that tempo is a choice, not a constraint. The same with meter and rhythm. On "Balance," Reichert goes to 3/4, a pleasant change. "Reprise," appropriately enough, closes things out with a bit of reverb added in, again a pleasant variation.

There is a lot of good playing here, real talent, and a respect for a good melody. Bassist John Christensen especially shines on the challenging "Spears," as Reichert does throughout. A listener might like to see the band mix it up a bit more harmonically, if done tastefully, and within the compass of Reichert's eminently tuneful style. One hopes to hear more from them, and not just occasionally.

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