Charles Lloyd: The Water Is Wide (ECM)
Lloyd has nothing like Coltrane's unforgiving intensity, but his low-wattage, 'Trane-derived lyricism carries a similar spiritual freight. It's a stranger to humour, but there's an uncomplicated beauty to this album which is stronger than merely charming. Reflective, slow-paced, Lloyd's silken tenor is cosseted by some beguilingly sensitive piano from Brad Mehldau, with equally supportive bass and drums from Larry Grenadier and Billy Higgins and, on five tracks, the gorgeous guitar of John Abercrombie. The mix of Lloyd originals, Ellington, Strayhorn, Carmichael (Georgia) and Cecil McBee's lovely Song Of Her draws unshowy but strong performances from all concerned - a feat difficult to bring off consistently at these tempos, but Lloyd knows what he's about. Tasty.
Ray Comiskey
Andra Sparks: People We Once Knew (Verge)
Classically trained, professionally more noted for singing Barber, Poulenc and Madeleine Dring, Sparks fits amazingly well into the jazz settings of this lovely album. Her voice is beautiful; in a process both complex and deceptively simple, she uses it to sing these songs - standards and superb originals by Kenny Wheeler and pianist Nick Weldon - as if she means them. Equally impressive is the vocal and instrumental unity of each performance, bringing out the material's varied character, with crucial support by Weldon, Jeff Clyne (bass), Trevor Tomkins (drums) and the gifted reedman, Iain Dixon. Standouts on this rather special album include Weldon's title track, Dring's Through The Centuries and Wheeler's For Jan and Wintersweet. Verge details are on www.jazzpiano.co.uk.
Ray Comiskey