This week's Jazz CDs reviewed

SOUND ASSEMBLY

Edge of the Mind/ Beauport Jazz****

Sound Assembly is a cutting-edge co-operative orchestra on the New York scene. They're led and conducted by composers David Schumacher and JC Sanford, who number George Russell and Bob Brookmeyer among the influences on their writing. It makes for an intriguing, varied and demanding package, to which this orchestra responds, in typical New York fashion, with awesome fire and precision. Few of the players, apart from stellar drummer John Hollenbeck and pianist Deanna Witkowski, are widely known, but in John Bailey (trumpet), Chris Bacas (tenor) and Mark Patterson (trombone) they have additional, noteworthy soloists. The writing and ensemble playing remain the band's main strengths on a repertoire that includes some lovely tone poems, The Radiance of Spring(beautifully sung by Kate McGarry) and Ives, Eyes,a gorgeous Edge of the Window(echoes of Maria Schneider), and the superbly voiced Slide Therapy, My Star and Rhythm of the Mind.www.soundassembly. net

RAY COMISKEY

TRUDY KERR

Like Minds/ Jazzizit***

Kerr is a fine singer, with good phrasing, spot-on intonation and an ability to serve the lyrics with sensitivity and taste. The nine Ellington-associated songs she chose for this eloquent recital with Michael Garrick (piano) were a labour of love for both, particularly Garrick, whose backing is beautiful. Time and again, despite the familiarity of the material, he finds ways of commenting on the vocal line and amplifying the emotional impact of each song without disturbing the equilibrium of the performance. It's a rare gift that can so delicately illuminate Mood Indigo, Lush Lifeor In a Sentimental Mood,for example. The other four songs, all Garrick originals, include three past gems: October Woman, the witty Down On Your Kneesand a standout Song by the Sea, which, with some other tracks, is enhanced by Paul Moylan's sonorous bass. www.jazzizit.co.uk

RAY COMISKEY