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Ron Boustead: Mosaic

By Edward Blanco
August 29, 2013
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Offering a musical canvas of light beautiful material, Los Angeles-based composer/singer Ron Boustead delivers a one-of-a kind musical treasure on the highly entertaining Mosaic. Containing four originals and jazz-influenced, reworked pop standards from the likes of

James Taylor

guitar and vocals
b.1948

" data-original-title="" title="">James Taylor, Carole King, Bill Withers and

Jon Lucien

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon Lucien among others, Boustead produces a superbly presented "jazz-pop concoction" of gorgeous songs possessed of infectious charm. His first release since the highly acclaimed Blend (Art Rock Music, 2006), Boustead is an expressive vocalist who, though his style has been compared to that of jazz icons

Mose Allison

piano and vocals
1927 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Mose Allison and

Mark Murphy

vocals
1932 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Mark Murphy, distinguishes himself with a crisp, crooner-like performance.

The charm offensive begins quite nicely on Leo Minax and Nancy Strauss's bossa nova-grooved "Moon Song," featuring trumpeter

Rick Braun

trumpet
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Rick Braun, guitarist

Ramon Stagnaro

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Ramon Stagnaro and pianist

Bill Cantos

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Cantos, among others. It only gets better on the following Lucien standard "You're Sensational," with the leader scatting and setting the pace for soprano saxophonist

Steve Hoskins

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Hoskins and

Gregg Karukas

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Gregg Karukas, on Fender Rhodes. Saxophone stalwart

Kirk Whalum

saxophone
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Kirk Whalum shares the spotlight with Boustead on humbling original, "No Me Without You," while renowned pianist

Bill Cunliffe

piano
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Cunliffe guests on King's warm love song, "Wishful Thinking."

Boustead is certainly at his best on one of the brightest moments of the set as piano legend

Fred Hersch

piano
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Fred Hersch and percussionist

Luis Conte

percussion
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Luis Conte weave their magic on the original "Careless Wind." There are far more highlights than fillers on this album, with the Withers pop standard, "Whatever Happens" and Taylor's "Secret 'O Life" closing out the project. Songs such as "And Now," "Every Moment of You" and the funky-fusion of "Everything Be Ok" are all special pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly here. The writing, arrangements, cast, and compelling performance from songwriter Boustead make Mosaic a vocal statements that's hard to ignore.

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Track Listing

Moon Song; You're Sensational; No Me Without You; Wishful Thinking; And Now?; Careless Wind; Every Moment of You; Everything Be Ok; Whatever Happens; Secret 'O Life.

Personnel

Ron Boustead

vocals

Ron Boustead: vocals; Bill Cantos: piano, keyboards (1, 5, 7); Ramon Stagnaro: guitar (1, 5, 7); Brian Bromberg: bass (1, 5, 7); Mike Shapiro: drums, percussion (1, 5, 7); Rick Braun: trumpet (1); Greg Poree: guitar (2); Keith Jones: bass (2); Munyungo Jackson: percussion (2, 9); Gregg Karukas: Fender Rhodes, electric piano (2, 6); Steve Hoskins: soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone (2, 4 ): Andreas Aleman: keyboards (3); Kirk Whalum: tenor saxophone (3); Arnold McCuller: vocals (3); Michael McGregor: keyboards (4, 8); Bill Cunliffe: piano (4); Bart Samolis: bass (4); Pat Kelly: guitar (4, 8, 9); Renee Stahl: vocals (5); Fred Hersch: piano (6); Oscar Seaton: drums (6); Luis Conte (6); Katisse Buckingham: flute (8); Mitchell Forman: organ, piano (9, 10 ); Don Aren: bass (9); Windy Wagner: vocals (9).

Album information

Title: Mosaic | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Self Produced

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