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Justin Chart: Night Heat
ByFor instance the simmering "Notes to Myself," from an appearance in Hollywood, is bookended by Chart's incandescent and meandering alto. At its core the band's pulsating vamps create a nocturnal mood that bassist Michael Selfridge's walking lines enhance. Meanwhile, drummer Cecil Brooks III makes his cymbals splash like bright lights glimmering in a dark cityscape.
In contrast, "Scatter Good Seeds in the Field," from a Santa Monica concert, is an energetic musical repartee that deftly matches Chart with trumpeter Mike Rocha. The exchanges between the horns build the main theme that Chart embellishes with his brief and warm refrains. Drummer Chris Ross deftly lays down a funky groove while electric bassist Alejandro Arenas bisects the piece with his muscular phrases.
Chart starts the laid-back "Calling Evans" with a poetic solo that is one of the longest on the recording. This lyrical performance also features keyboardist Mike Saul whose suave pianism matches Selfridge's brief extemporization in elegance and eloquence. Another pianist, Bob Remstein, adds vibrancy to the soulful "Forthright" with the swagger of his resonant chords. Rocha gets to stretch out with his burnished tones and clear notes, once more acting as the perfect foil for Chart's mellifluous saxophone.
Urbane and engaging Night Heat is another superlative addition to Chart's discography. These tunes are brilliantly formed musical stories that carry Chart's uniquely expressive style that also gives the release its thematic unity. Intriguingly, within each one are the elements of more expansive harmonic tales. This, however, is left to the audience's imagination which makes each replay all the more stimulating.
Track Listing
Forward Face Grace; We Got Somethin Goin On; Notes to Myself; Scatter Good Seed in The Fields; Somewhat of A Character; Pearl Was; Bassment; Forthright; Calling Evans; Make The Grade.
Personnel
Justin Chart
saxophone, altoMike Rocha
trumpetMike Saul
pianoBob Remstein
keyboardsAlejandro Arenas
bassCecil Brooks III
drumsMichael Selfridge
bassAdditional Instrumentation
Chris Ross: drums
Album information
Title: Night Heat | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Universal Music Group
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