Album Review: No Mentions, No Worries from Jonathan Mills

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Album:  No Mentions, No Worries
Artist:  Jonathan Mills
Label Name: Self-Released
Website:  www.jonathanmillsdrums.com

No Mentions, No Worries is leader, composer and drummer Jonathan Mills’s debut full-length album intermingling a traditional straight-ahead jazz fare with contemporary stylizing, designed as a collection of thoughtful journeys that describe a harmonious world. 

The lulling riffs of "For Hadley’s Folks” put listeners at ease with Luke Weathington's alto sax providing a stream of luxuriating sonic clusters.  The fibrillating saxophone toots leisurely paddling along “When My Mind’s Quiet” stokes a fireside warmth that lets the listener melt into its palliative fumes, coalescing the vibes of swing, bebop and bossa nova.

“Solecism” is latticed in breezy saxophone swirls, eliciting a relaxing atmosphere as Patrick Arthur's guitar strings disseminate a soothing aroma through the homespun broth.  Wafting of bebop impulses permeating from Tyrone Jackson's improvisations on the piano keys and Weathington's vaporous crackles on the sax drifting across "Cool Out" adds a traditional jazz tint to the recording.  

Cauterizing the smooth jazz glides of the saxophone with the glinting streaks of the piano keys along “Calderazzish,” Mills grooms the track as a tribute to pianist/composer Joey Calderazzo, who has written several modern jazz tunes over the years with Michael Brecker, Branford Marsalis, and as a leader himself.  The title "Wait For It" inspired hope though the piece exudes a sunny disposition laden in bright and bubbly instrumentation.  Closing the recording with “Sneak Attack," Mills injects a whiff of bopping blues steam reminiscent of vintage Max Roach.

Integrating traditional straight-ahead jazz fare with contemporary stylizing, Jonathan Mills achieves a well versed dialogue among his quintet.  His musical journeys describe a harmonious world that includes everyone who wants to join the party.

Musicians:
Luke Weathington - Alto Saxophone
Patrick Arthur - Guitar
Tyrone Jackson - Piano & Fender Rhodes
Tommy Sauter - Acoustic Bass
Jonathan Mills - Drums

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