Reviewed: 2020—01-07
Genre: Jazz
FCCs: none
Review: vibraphonist Allen is one the rising stars in the LA jazz scene. Her playing is both swinging & joyful. Her ensembles include veteran players and upcoming talents.
If You Like: Lionel Hampton, Gary Burton, Terry Gibbs, Bobby Hutcherson
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
*1/ The Hippest Cat In Hollywood (5:41) – full band starts> uptempo jam> sax solo> vibes solo> piano solo> uptempo jam> drum solo> uptempo jam with drum fills>long crescendo end
*2/ Coming Home (6:04) – vibes start> slow tempo jam builds to midtempo> sax solo swings to uptempo> vibes solo> piano solo> uptempo jam> crescendo end
**3/ Little Hummingbird (3:49) – full band starts> swinging fast tempo jam> vibes solo> piano solo> sax solo> fast jam> quick stop
4/ Emily (5:38) – vibes start> slow tempo jam> sax solo> vibes solo> slow jam> crescendo end
*5/ Lolly’s Folly (4:53) – vibes start> midtempo jam> vibes solo> trumpet solo> piano solo morphs into brassy uptempo jam, then mellows again to midtempo> quick stop
6/ Gentle Rain (6:32) – piano starts> midtempo jam with bossa nova vibe> vibes solo> muted trumpet solo> midtempo jam> quick fade
*7/ If You Could See Me Now (6:53) – full band starts> slow tempo jam> sultry sax solo> vibes solo> piano solo> slow jam> slow fade
**8/ Mambo Inn (5:11) – percussion starts> uptempo jam with Caribbean vibe> sax solo> vibes solo> second sax solo> piano solo> uptempo jam> quick stop
9/ O Grande Amor (7:43) – piano starts> slow tempo jam> bass solo> sax solo> piano solo> vibes solo> slow jam> pause> slow fade
***10/ Bebop (4:01) – full band starts> swinging uptempo jam quickly shifts to fast tempo> vibes solo> sax solo> drum solo> fast jam> crescendo end