Now here’s a refreshing take on Cinematic Jazz, an album which thrives on the musicians’ interaction rather than the overall widescreen vibe, on the chemistry fizzing between instruments rather than layering sounds for atmospheric effect. ‘Cicero Nights’ the debut from new Chicago based group Blue Earth Sound, released via the ever-reliable Deep Matter/Root Records, has an uncluttered vibrancy about it which immediately gets you to take notice.
Blue Earth Sound evolved from founder James Weir’s reconsideration. A musician from the rock enclave (with post-punk NE-HI and then synth noisemakers Spun Out) he wanted to be involved in something which drew on his eclectic influences more directly. Taking up piano seriously, Weir began jamming and writing with drumming neighbour Patch Romanowski, then met Dave Vettraino, engineer at International Anthem, and Blue Earth Sound took off on their instrumental jazz journey. With Resavoir’s trumpeter Will Miller, multi-instrumentalist Eamonn Prizy and old Spun Out band-buddy Michael Wells joining the band, momentum has built until we’ve arrived at this point, the release of ‘Cicero Nights’.
From the first bars of Mariposa the dynamic chemistry which this band generates leaps out from the grooves. There’s a soulful depth to the tune as Prizy’s flute and Miller’s brooding trumpet wrap the melody around Romanowski’s fresh rhythmic breeze. With piano and bass laying a chordal foundation, the tune rolls with a Neville Brothers relaxed funkiness then sweeps higher as Jackson Ramsey’s strings elevate the closing sections. Mariposa may be economic in length but it’s comes packed with enough imagery and intent to lure you into ‘Cicero Nights’.
The title track maintains the appeal as it builds on some classic soul piano-vamping to swagger assertively, Romanowski’s locomotive drumming urging the tune forwards. An echoing street siren phrase from the Blue Earth Sound horns and some glistening guitar cascades swell the vibrant atmosphere. It’s like hovering over some bustling nightlife scene that’s gearing into action.
As the album unwinds, the tight song-like structure of each track stands out. Blue Earth Sound aren’t aiming for immersion here but connect intuitively with that quirky era in the sixties when jazz with pop sensibilities stormed the charts (yes those ‘Girl From Ipanema’ / ‘Take Five’ days). Perhaps that synergy is what Half & Half refers to with its upfront beats, rootsy Carole King piano, Stax wah-wah and catchy flute hook, all snug in a neat sub-three minute bundle.
Naturally ‘Cicero Nights’ eases into readily digestible smooth jazz territory but there’s always enough highlights to lift the tunes out of the background. On the relaxed Phrases Weir’s unfussy Rhodes and Prizy’s crooning sax wander together like old friends while Walking At Night’s dreamy lushness floats effortlessly along a Bob James slipstream. Throughout the album the subtle twists that Blue Earth Sound inject into soundscape add depth to an easy listening template. The improvised breaks, the charged live dynamic and the upfront resonance of the drum sound, collectively deliver something singular here.
The group also cleverly merges an assemblage of styles into their sonic short stories. The earthy smooch of Lover’s rock sees Eamonn Prizy’s flute again out front, urging and swooning, preening and soothing. Then there’s the rhumba beats meet surf guitar of Gia’s Point where the misty, sunset vibes get tinged with a gentle melancholy by Will Miller’s eloquent trumpet tones. Perhaps the more urgent On The Court tops it all with its funky Hip Hop spin, all frisky beats, sharp suited sax riff and street calling wah-wah guitar chops. It’s a winning Stanton Moore meets Brecker Brothers meets Khruangbin combo.
Talking about the album’s motives, Blue Earth Sound leader Weir has said “I just wanted to make tunes that a DJ could play at a Chicago bar like Danny’s at 8:30 pm that would set a good vibe…”. Well ‘Cicero Nights’ sounds like a recording that can set you up for what lays ahead any time of day.
Get your copy of ‘Cicero Nights‘ by Blue Earth Sound from your local record store or direct from Deep Matter/Root Records HERE
