Album Review: Out On The Coast from David Angel

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Album:  Out On The Coast
Artist:  David Angel
Label:  Basset Hound Music
Website:  http://www.bassethoundmusic.com

Saxophonist David Angel leads a 13-piece jazz ensemble on the 3-disc set Out on the Coast, containing 15 of his original compositions alongside 7 jazz standards.  The recording is a window into West Coast cool jazz infused with factions of swing, big band, Latin jazz, and ballroom waltz.

The title track opener is an early Angel composition with a ballroom swing component that exudes harmonic sophistication.  The band transitions into the rhumba-esque sway of "Wig," mounted in layers of chiffon-like silhouettes from the assortment of reeds and brass instruments, waving and undulating in a graceful fluidity.  The slow burn wafting from the toots of the horns through "L'ilo Vasche" displays the ensemble's fluency in smooth swing, culminating into the band's remake of Duke Ellington's silky ballad "Prelude To A Kiss" pervading a dreamy mood that is aurally luxuriating.

The toe-tapping rhythm of "Hershey Bar" is accented with a merengue-like shimmy in the horns, enhancing the dance groove of the rhythm section performed by Susan Quam on bass and Paul Kreibich on drums.  The horns scroll sweet soundscapes across "Between," absorbing the listener into its melodic folds.  Speaking of absorbing listeners, the subdued crescendos gliding along the mellifluous "Loverman" are heavenly on the ears.  "Waiting for a Train Part 2" has a lively Latin verve as drummer Paul Kreibich pulsates a steamy beat, while "Ah Rite!" bolsters a bluesy vamp heightened by a fiery solo from baritone saxophonist Bob Carr.

The music ranges from ballroom swing to chamber music waltz, from vivacious Latin jazz to smooth West Coast cool jazz.  David Angel's offering presents gorgeous soundscapes generated by his big band jazz ensemble, embracing the ballroom format with a steadfast grip.

Musicians:
David Angel - tenor saxophone and conductor
Phil Feather - alto and soprano saxophones, piccolo, flute, and alto flute
Gene Cipriano - alto and soprano saxophone and clarinet
Jim Quam - tenor saxophone and clarinet
Tom Peterson - tenor saxophone, flute and alto flute
Bob Carr - baritone saxophone and bass clarinet
Jonathan Dane - trumpet and flugelhorn
Ron Stout - trumpet and flugelhorn
Stephanie O'Keefe - horn
Scott Whitfield - trombone
Jim Self - tuba and bass trombone
John Chiodini - guitar
Susan Quam - bass
Paul Kreibich -drums



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