By Esther Callens
To sum it up—outstanding! Arrival, the latest album by pianist and composer Terry Marshall presents an extraordinary collection. With five originals and six arrangements of some significant standards, Marshall has come up with the perfect merger of the old and new. The results yielded an assemblage of tracks that complement each other exquisitely. Nothing fake is here as Marshall brought the real deal!
Marshall made sure not to disappoint listeners on Arrival as he added in a few surprises. First the set opens with Teresa, the ultimate smooth jazz tune. The piano/bass duo on “April In Paris” is outstanding – a classic’s classic. Marshall and company really burns on the finale – “Blues.” Sprinkled among the fantastic recording are some beautiful vocal arrangements. They include “Upside Down”, “This Bitter Earth”, “Begin Cool” and “Moodies Mood For Love.” No need to mention that they took these songs to celestial levels! Terry Marshall’s Arrival has made an impressive grand entrance. Likewise, fans are glad he did!
Track Listings: Teresa; Upside Down; This Bitter Earth; Being Cool; Nostalgia; Questions And Answers: Moodies Mood For Love; Speak To My Heart; Arrival; April in Paris; Blues.
Album personnel: Terry Marshall (piano); Alejandro Lucini, Harold Summey; Tracey Cutler, Warren Atiba Taylor (saxophone), Muneer Nasser (trumpet), Kevin Williams, Ben Young, D. L. Watson (guitar); Iva Ambush, Kendra Johnson, DeCastro Brown (vocals); Leonardo Lucini, Dave Marsh, Donnie West (bass).
Live In New York City is the new music offering from the multi-talented pianist and composer Vincent Lyn. Known for excelling in a plethora of fields, (Acting, Martial Arts, Modeling, etc.), he achieved the same with his music. His latest, which was recorded at Carnegie Hall in December 2013, is a thoroughly modern, wonderful collection of easy listening tracks. Track Listing: Amor Por Favor; Claire De Lune/ Flamenco Sketches; Sonata In E Flat; The Loving Touch; Gay’s Blues; Swan; Secret Garden; Sonata In C Minor; Cantowood; 4 Crazies; What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life; Make Me A Memory; Stolen Moments. Album Personnel: Vincent Lyn (piano); Melissa Aldana (tenor saxophone); Pablo Menares (bass); Shirazette Tinnin (percussion).
