Latest releases reviewed

ART BLAKEY
Blakey's Beat
Concord
***

Two CDs, two bands caught live on the West Coast; originally released as In This Korner, one features Blakey's late-1970s Messengers with front-liners Valery Ponomarev, Bobby Watson and Dave Schnitter in a capable group where routine had dulled the edge somewhat. Released as Straight Ahead, the second features his early-'80s Messengers. Sparked by a 19-year-old Wynton Marsalis on trumpet for Ponomarev, with tenor Bill Pierce for Schnitter, the sextet has a greater snap about its work and ensembles are cleaner. There is, too, enough competitive bristle about Watson and the wunderkind to energise the solo jousts. Blakey must have realised it; fans will relish the fact that his drumming has more of the old urgency to it.

www.concordrecords.com

TIERNEY SUTTON
Dancing in the Dark
Telarc
***

In a programme inspired by Frank Sinatra's more reflective side, Sutton shows no vocal debt to the maestro, in itself an achievement, particularly when she tackles Only the Lonely, I'll Be Around, All the Way, Without a Song, Fly Me to the Moon and Last Night When We Were Young. With virtually perfect intonation, Sutton is unfazed by duets with pianist Christian Jacob or with her trio - Emily and I Could Have Told You are particularly fine - or by orchestral settings. Sutton is most effective with a jazz group by being herself; when she tries to be jazzy she sounds self-conscious. Mostly ballads, this is tasteful, nicely done, just a tad considered.

BENNY GOODMAN
New Sextet Sessions
Ocium
***

Goodman's early 1950s sextets included Terry Gibbs on vibes, with the piano chair variously occupied by Teddy Wilson, Paul Smith and Lou Stein; his guitarists included such luminaries as Johnny Smith and Mundell Lowe. With the leader a hard taskmaster, these were well-drilled units. Apart from a few forgettable vocals, there were few bows to commerce; the focus was musical and the solo level consistently high. Idiomatically, it was swing with a light bop seasoning, with Goodman, in brilliant form, taking advantage of technological advances to break out of the three-minute limit on the later performances, several of which benefit from the drumming of Don Lamond. Worthwhile for fans.

www.ocium.com