Dreyfus Records Releases Two Remarkable New Discs By Fresh Voices In Jazz

Dreyfus Records is proud to announce the U.S. release of discs by two of the most original new voices in jazz: Bill Carrothers Duets with Bill Stewart (release date: 1/8/02) and the Moutin Reunion Quartet’s Power Tree (release date: 1/8/02).

Bill Carrothers Duets with Bill Stewart

The pianist Bill Carrothers has been critically acclaimed for his sensitive, idiosyncratic touch and musical taste, but although he has played in such venues as Birdland, the Knitting Factory, and numerous European festivals, and played with such diverse artists as Dave Douglas, Billy Higgins, James Moody, and Gary Peacock he remains relatively underestimated by the jazz community.

This should change dramatically with this new release Duets with Bill Stewart (release date: 1/8/02). Stewart, the exceptional young drummer in Pat Metheny’s new acoustic trio and former bandmate of John Scofield and Joe Lovano, complements Carrothers’ musical sensitivity to extraordinary effect. Predominantly spacious and poignant, but at times bluesy and at others coolly swinging, the disc achieves unity through the simpatico affinity between these two adventurous artists.

Not one to steal the spotlight, Carrothers lets Stewart who juggles polyrhythms with deceptive ease kick off the proceedings with a sizzling solo. On the appropriately-titled “Alone Together," Carrothers enters with a gentle strumming of the internal piano strings and the two trade musical thoughts unhurriedly. After Monk’s “Off Minor", an ideal tune for the musicians’ unconventional approach, the two present a daring juxtaposition on “I Apologize," with Stewart playing a free-but-restrained backdrop while Carrothers plays a sensitive ballad on top.

Among the other highlights of the disc are the twisting narrative “A Squirrel’s Tale," the haunting “Tenting On the Old Campground," and the evocative blues “Death of a Cigarette." In addition, in a display of a musical sense of humor, the two put a raucous spin on “Puttin’ on the Ritz." By the final track, “The Whiffenpoof Song", the listener has traversed a true meeting of musical minds.

This disc was originally released on Birdology, and is the first in Dreyfus’s plan to release this independent label’s entire catalogue. This wonderful series of Duets with Bill Stewart confirm that with his musical imagination, delicate touch, and penchant for unpredictable collaboration, Bill Carrothers clearly has a bright future ahead of him.

Moutin Reunion Quartet Power Tree

The twin Moutin brothers acoustic bassist Fran