Latest releases reviewed

WYNTON MARSALIS/LINCOLN CENTER JAZZ ORCHESTRA A Love Supreme Palmetto ****
Whatever the arguments about Marsalis's neo-con jazz repertory aesthetic (critic Larry Kart once accused him of "blatant good taste"), even the most grudging might concede that this orchestral venture into Coltrane's musical expression of his religious re-awakening is a finely crafted work. Unsurprisingly, it's Ellingtonian in its orchestral colour and texture, with Marsalis adeptly blending solo horns and ensemble while retaining some of the majestic feel - though not the intensity - of the original. On trumpet, he and tenor saxophonist Wess Anderson are the main soloists, playing well, but, if anything, pianist Eric Lewis and drummer Herlin Riley are even more arresting performers. And, filled with outstanding players, the orchestra is, by any standards, exceptional.www.palmetto-records.com
Ray ComiskeyJAZZ

PETER HERBORN Traces Of Trane Winter & Winter *****
Recorded in 1992 and now re-issued, arranger Herborn's take on My Favourite Things and Coltrane originals including Impressions, Naima and the first two sections of A Love Supreme uses the WDR Big Band with guests Gary Thomas (tenor/flute), Robin Eubanks (trombone), Marc Ducret (guitar), Mark Helias (bass) and Tom Rainey (drums). Herborn's writing is wonderfully imaginative, oblique and individual; controlled but fluid within the structures he has created, it evokes some striking playing from the orchestra and soloists, with Thomas in dominating form among the guests, Eubanks, Ducret and Helias contributing beautifully, and Rainey absolutely magisterial throughout. It's a vibrant, original, brilliantly creative response to 'Trane's legacy.www.harmoniamundi.com
Ray Comiskey

GRACHAN MONCUR III  Exploration Capri Records ****
Trombonist/composer Moncur, one of the bastions of the cutting-edge freedoms of the 1960s, was persuaded by producer Mark Masters to re-explore his music after decades away from the studios. Expanding the originals to octet size for Tim Hagans (trumpet), John Clark (french horn), Gary Bartz (alto), Billy Harper (tenor), Gary Smulyan (baritone), Ray Drummond (bass), Andrew Cyrille (drums) and Moncur, Masters's skilful arranging not only gets a huge sound from the group, but also reaffirms the strength and vitality of Moncur's compositions. Solos, even with Moncur, Harper, Bartz and Smulyan in fine form, are kept brief, to the point, and superbly sited within the musical dialogue. Standouts include Love And Hate, When?, Frankenstein and an individual approach to the blues, Sonny's Back! Moncur has been well-served here.www.caprirecords.com
Ray Comiskey