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Albare & Co.: Freedom

By Jack Bowers
October 2, 2022
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"Jazz is the voice of freedom," says Israeli-born guitarist & composer

Albare

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Albare, "and it will never be silenced." To that end, Albare has assembled a world-class sextet to perform seven of his sunny, swing-based compositions, two others co-written with pianist

Phil Turcio

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Phil Turcio and Turcio's graceful "Shimmozle."

The session begins, appropriately enough, with Albare's open-hearted "Freedom," which introduces fellow front-liner

Randy Brecker

trumpet
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Randy Brecker on trumpet. Soprano saxophonist

Ada Rovatti

saxophone, tenor
b.1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Ada Rovatti (who also plays splendid alto and tenor saxophones) makes her first appearance on "La Fiesta," a rhythmic bossa nova not to be confused with

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea's composition of that same name. This one was written by Albare, as were "Freedom" and "Adues" (or "Adeus," as it is spelled both ways), which precede it. The lively "Lost Compass," co-authored by Albare and Turcio, is next, followed by the easygoing "Randy Makes Me Smile" (with Brecker's mellow flugelhorn counterbalancing a robust tenor saxophone solo by Rovatti) and "Shimmozle."

Albare plays guitar in the manner of some of his main influences,

Django Reinhardt

guitar
1910 - 1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Django Reinhardt,

Wes Montgomery

guitar
1923 - 1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Wes Montgomery and

Antonio Carlos Jobim

piano
1927 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Antonio Carlos Jobim, combining old-world swing with more modern phrasings. It works well, especially when complemented by Brecker and Rovatti's expressly contemporary stance. As for the rhythm section (Turcio, bassist

Phil Rex

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Phil Rex, drummer

Felix Bloxom

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Felix Bloxom), it is diligent and flexible, tending to business while giving the front line ample room to breathe.

"Sketches" is another meditative number, leading to the buoyant "Sunny Samba" and free-wheeling finale, "New Expectations" (sans Brecker and Rovatti). Freedom isn't a classic session but a very good one with no letdown in quality from start to finish.

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Track Listing

Freedom; Adues; La Fiesta with Intro; Lost Compass; Love Is Always; Randy Makes Me Smile; Shimmozle; Sketches; Sunny Samba; New Expectations.

Personnel

Albare

guitar

Randy Brecker

trumpet

Ada Rovatti

saxophone, tenor

Phil Turcio

keyboards

Phil Rex

bass

Felix Bloxom

drums

Album information

Title: Freedom | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Self Produced

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