Latest releases reviewed

TOMMY SMITH/BRIAN KELLOCK
Symbiosis Spartacus ****

The great Scottish tenor recorded a lovely release of Ellington and Strayhorn ballads in 1997 with a rhythm section of Kenny Barron, Peter Washington and Billy Drummond, and a standards album with pianist Kellock with Bezique. So the chosen repertoire - standards, mostly ballads - for this new duo CD is not all that surprising. They're garnished by Smith's sublimely beautiful sound and Kellock's almost telepathic support. Both know how to bring the best out of good material, alert to every nuance of phrasing, and soloing with an instinctive melodic grace that enhances the nature of each piece. Standouts on a beguiling CD include an affecting Pure Imagination, a lively Bernie's Tune and a Skylark that's an object lesson in how to handle melody. www.spartacusrecords.com

Ray Comiskey

CORMAC KENEVEY
This Is living No label ***

Kenevey's début CD reveals a singer with a warm voice, sure sense of phrasing, good intonation and an unforced naturalness with the lyrics. And, as the poised vocal on No Moon at All, accompanied at first only by bass clarinet, shows, Kenevey doesn't lean on the words to project emotion; he has the taste to let the song do the work. Not only does he know what he's at, there's also no feeling of idiom change when the jazz soloists come in. The style is retro, but the Dubliner can stand comparison with the likes of New York singer Peter Cincotti. Beautifully backed by pianist Phil Ware's trio, with Dave Redmond (bass) and Kevin Brady (drums), he also has the support of the superb Karl Ronan (trombone) on a few tracks, along with Danny Healy (trumpet) and Robert Geraghty (tenor/bass clarinet). www.kenevey.com

Ray Comiskey