Charles Williams Trio, The: Flavors of Jazz

Charles Williams has been playing jazz music since the seventies. He is an accomplished pianist and trombonist and plays in The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra and The Louis Neal Orchestra. He also recently formed the jazz/funk band Genre, a band I have yet to hear. On his newest disc titled Flavors of Jazz Williams (piano) leads his trio of DeAndre Manning (bass) and Mike Warren (drums). On the album Williams has recorded some of his favourite songs, done his way under the umbrella of contemporary jazz.

Williams doesn’t go crazy on the keyboard, going for a more stately and melodic approach, his playing is near perfect for these eleven tunes. The disc begins with “I Can’t Help It�, also recorded by Michael Jackson for his Off The Wall album, highlighted by Manning’s sumptuous bass licks and Williams’ tasteful piano work. On the ballad “Machee’�, dedicated to Williams’ daughter, the playing is gorgeous with subtle drumming and heartwarming piano melodies. Williams also dabbles with electric piano on “Wonderful World�, another nice take on the original melody. His jazzy arrangements on Jackson’s “Billy Jean� and The Beatles’ “Yesterday� are both refreshing and warm hearted. The swinging groove in “Billy Jean� is absolutely irresistible. Also a shout out to Manning and his awesome fretwork. Williams’ old school sentimentality on “Emily� makes for another beautiful and tender listen.

This trio has really made a wonderful jazz album with Flavors of Jazz. They have treated these tunes with the utmost respect and in the process have created one of the catchiest contemporary jazz albums of the year so far.

Track Listing:
1. I Can’t Help It (6:30)
2. Machee’ (5:20)
3. Wonderful World (7:21)
4. In My Solitude (4:26)
5. Chelsea Bridge (6:53)
6. Speak Low (5:13)
7. Billie Jean (7:19)
8. Emily (5:02)
9. Yesterday (6:17)
10. Everything Must Change (5:51)
11. Miss Celles Blues (3:44)

Added: May 5th 2019
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 2332
Language: english

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