Brian Charette
is one of many New York City-based jazz musicians seeking to further his career. Following two projects for small labels (the first a self-produced outing), the organist should get greater recognition with this appearance on
Steeplechase
. Utilizing his working trio with guitarist
Ben Monder
(who has recorded extensively as a leader and sideman) and drummer
Jochen Ruckert
,
Charette
penned nine originals specifically for this session. The humorously titled
"Silicone Doll"
is not a parody of the famous
Ellington
ballad, though it is easy to imagine a pretty young lady walking to its catchy theme. The aggressive bop vehicle
"Public Transportation"
suggests the sudden lane changes in heavy traffic at high speed that stresses the hearts of tourists in New York City, while the lower-key
"Altered Waltz"
proves equally infectious.
's lyrical take of
Duke Ellington
's
"Prelude to a Kiss"
allows the ballad plenty of breathing room, with spacious chords on the organ and sensitive use of the volume pedal, while
Monder
also never adds an unnecessary note, all of it backed by
Ruckert
's sensitive brushwork. But the trio takes in
"U.M.M.G."
(aka
"Upper Manhattan Medical Group"
) at a breezy clip, with plenty of fireworks.
"Upside,"
penned by pianist
Andy LaVerne
for his meeting with organist
Gary Versace
, is pure groove music with a solid swagger.
has staked his claim as one of the top jazz organists of his generation with this superb release. ~ Ken Dryden