Album Review: Parabbean Tales from Iwan VanHetten

Album:  Parabbean Tales
Artist:  Iwan VanHetten
Label:  Blue Canoe Records
Website:  http://www.iwanvanhetten.com/

UK based trumpeter, keyboardist, musical director, composer/songwriter, arranger, and producer Iwan VanHetten delights listeners with his latest offering Parabbean Tales.  Born from the concept of combining Caribbean-influenced music with particles of contemporary cool jazz and R&B/funk, VanHetten creates a synthesis that rouses his creativity as he plays with an enthusiasm that is infectious. 

His experiences as a stage perfomer, playing beside such notable artists as Sister Sledge, The Pointer Sisters, Jimm Haslip, Jools Holland, and Paul Turner (Jamiroquai) to name a few, has honed his sharpness to conjure up verses that come from his soul.  He leads his ensemble, consisting of Russell Ferrante on piano and keyboards, Will Kennedy on drums, Lenny Castro on percussion, Andy Narell on steel pans, Bob Mintzer on saxophone, and on bass Melvin Lee Davis and Jimmy Haslip, into a refined repertoire of plush arrangements that bask the senses in cozy comfort.

He showers "Not Without You" in tender puffs from his trumpet alternately with emotive impulses that heighten the voluptous arcs and sentimentality in the sonic musings.  Van Hetten's performance is subltely persuasive, luring the listener sweetly.  He has an inherent ability to caress the listener's soul.  Applying more R&B/funk into the rhythmic pattern, "5th Avenue" is a lively entanglement of twinkling meanderings from Russell Ferrante's piano keys with the picturesque aerials of Van Hetten's trumpet.  The music gives the listener the impression of viewing lush landscapes from the vantage point of being up in the air.

'Brother Robert" has a down to earth serenity, portraying a reflective lilt in Van Hetten's trumpet whirls.   The recording turns somber along the introspective phrasings of "Djoel & Knippa," transitioning to an uplifting island sway foddered by the steel pans played by Andy Narell.  Changing to a party atmosphere along "LA Jam" strewn in dancehall beats, and closing with "Spally" speckled in Latin-tinted trumpet toots moving to a Mariachi-like stride.

Iwan VanHetten has toured worldwide and performed at countless prestigious festivals and clubs.  His performance shows these experiences have enabled him to sharpen he skills to play from his soul.  He is also a passionate educator, enabling him to share his discoveries with others.  VanHetten is beyond being an explorer of jazz.  Rather, he proves he is a master in his art, finding adventure in playing what he has found.

Musicians:
Iwan VanHetten - trumpet
Russell Ferrante - piano and keyboards
Melvin Lee Davis, and Jimmy Haslip - bass
Will Kennedy - drums
Lenny Castro - percussion
Andy Narell - steel pans
Bob Mintzer - saxophone