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Matt Wilson Quartet: Hug!

By Jerome Wilson
October 13, 2020
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A hug is something which is a distant memory for most of us these days. The warm and friendly vibes of this new

Matt Wilson

drums
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Wilson album could be thought of as a virtual hug, full of smile-inducing swing and raffish humor.

Wilson's partners on this excursion are some of his usual cohorts, saxophonist

Jeff Lederer

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeff Lederer, cornetist

Kirk Knuffke

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Kirk Knuffke and bassist

Chris Lightcap

bass
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Lightcap. As usual on Wilson's albums, they go through a mix of original tunes and eclectic covers. The latter include a rowdy stomp through

Gene Ammons

saxophone, tenor
1925 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Gene Ammons' "The One Before This" and a frisky version of "Jabulani," one of

Abdullah Ibrahim

piano
b.1934

" data-original-title="" title="">Abdullah Ibrahim's joyful South African folk melodies. On that track, as on

Charlie Haden

bass, acoustic
1937 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Haden's "In The Moment" and the original "Sunny And Share," Lederer and Knuffke careen through the melody like

Ornette Coleman

saxophone, alto
1930 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Ornette Coleman and

Don Cherry

trumpet
1936 - 1995

" data-original-title="" title="">Don Cherry in full cry while Lightcap fast steps with his bass and Wilson bashes his drums.

Elsewhere, Wilson's composition "Every Day With You" is a sweet, slow ballad played with aching prettiness, and

Dewey Redman

saxophone, tenor
b.1931

" data-original-title="" title="">Dewey Redman's "Joie De Vivre" is a breezy strut with bubbly horn solos and a merrily skipping beat from the rhythm section. Lederer shows off his clarinet chops on a casual stroll through Roger Miller's "King Of The Road," and the title track is a particular delight, a cheerful melody where the horns bounce along like the Tijuana Brass and swelling strings enhance the band's serenading. This one is so catchy that with lyrics added, it could be a pop hit. The most ingenious bit of fun on the disc comes when Donald Trump's speech about creating a Space Force is enveloped in doomy bellows and squiggles that turn into a shrill, sarcastic march tune which then morphs into a much friendlier and hipper song about space,

Sun Ra

piano
1914 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Sun Ra's "Interplanetary Music," sung lustily by the entire band.

Hug! is big-hearted, swinging and fun. All the members of the band play immaculately, picking up Wilson's infectious sense of glee as they work. This music exudes humor, joy and a passion for life, all things we could use more of these days.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

The One Before This; Jabulani; In The Moment; Every Day with You; Space Force March/Interplanetary Music; Joie De Vivre; Sunny and Share; Hug! King Of The Road; Man Bun; Hambe Kahle.

Personnel

Matt Wilson

drums

Jeff Lederer

woodwinds

Chris Lightcap

bass

Kirk Knuffke

trumpet

Additional Instrumentation

Jeff Lederer: clarinet, piccolo, voice; Kirk Knuffke: voice; Chris Lightcap: voice; Matt Wilson: xylophone, voice.

Album information

Title: Hug! | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Palmetto Records

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