Lynne Arriale – Convergence (2011/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Lynne Arriale – Convergence (2011/2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 51:51 minutes | 578 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © IN+OUT Records

Lynne Arriale has made her mark with a number of CDs of her own during her career. This predominantly trio date with bassist Omer Avital and drummer Anthony Pinciotti, adding tenor saxophonist Bill McHenry on several songs, mixes originals and covers of pop songs. Arriale’s songwriting skills match her chops at the piano. The driving post-bop vehicle “Elements” provides a solid opener for Arriale’s trio, with the pianist’s unpredictable blues constantly shifting. Her rambunctious Irish jig “Convergence” features McHenry’s powerful tenor and Arriale’s furious solo. “The Simple Things” is a low-key, lyrical ballad played by the trio. The infectious “Here and Now” draws from multiple musical influences from around the world, showcasing McHenry’s wailing tenor. The Middle Eastern-flavored “Dance of the Rain” includes an unidentified oud player, with Pinciotti presumably being playing the hand percussion. Arriale also shines with her fresh interpretations of the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun,” Sting’s “Sister Moon,” and the Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black.” Only Nine Inch Nails’ “Something I Can Never Have” never manages to gain traction.

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Lynne Arriale Trio, Lynne Arriale – The Lights Are Always On (2022) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Lynne Arriale Trio, Lynne Arriale - The Lights Are Always On (2022) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz] Download

Lynne Arriale Trio, Lynne Arriale – The Lights Are Always On (2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 44:06 minutes | 888 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Challenge Records

“The Lights Are Always On” is the 16th album by pianist/composer Lynne Arriale and her third recording for Challenge Records International

Lynne’s original music is a suite of compositions that reflect the worldwide, life-changing events of the past two years. Some of the pieces are named in honor of heroes around the world, including those who served as caregivers on the front lines of the COVID pandemic and as defenders of democracy. For this session, Lynne is joined by bassist and co-producer Jasper Somsen and drummer E. J. Strickland, both outstanding and in-demand musicians on the international jazz scene. The trio creates the kind of engaging musical conversation that has become a trademark of Lynne’s groups.
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Lynne Arriale – Nuance (2009/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Lynne Arriale - Nuance (2009/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz] Download

Lynne Arriale – Nuance (2009/2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 55:04 minutes | 608 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © IN+OUT Records

Known strictly as a jazz piano trio artist, Lynne Arriale breaks that mold with the addition of trumpeter Randy Brecker, and it is a welcome complement. This is not to say her piano-bass-drums recordings had run their course – far from it. What the seasoned and literate brass man brings to the table ignites Arriale’s innate passion, and inspires her dream sequence style of playing into a netherworld of darker passion and modernist ideas that are startling in their pure inventiveness. She’s stretching further, reaching for deeper energy, and plays beautifully in tandem with her new partner. Bassist George Mraz is also along for this ride, as able as any player on his instrument ever, a fact seemingly lost on far too many listeners and critics. Of the six originals penned by the pianist, “Longing” and “Yada Yada Yada” certainly live up to and reflect their titles perfectly, from serenely sad to bobble head chatter respectively. “Crawfish & Gumbo” uses modified New Orleans funky strut and swing via the drumming of Anthony Pinciotti with Mraz on top, while a quick stairstep motif with only slight Latin inference informs “La Noche.” The band tackles Sting’s “Wrapped Around Your Finger” in a terrific modal framework and mysterious mood, with Arriale’s piano remarkable in its Arabic, flashing style contrasting Brecker’s even pace. This is an exemplary interpretation, as is “I Mean You” with the entire band playing brilliant, staggered phrases more pronounced than its writer Thelonious Monk originally conceived. Arriale’s Bill Evans influence blossoms during her regal, free, and ethereal version of the standard “I Hear a Rhapsody,” while she and the musings of the consistently refreshing Brecker use another slight modality, changing up Dizzy Gillespie’s “A Night in Tunisia.” A DVD performance with differently programmed tracks and stretched out versions of everything on the CD is available, and in 5.1 surround sound to boot. More and more rewarding upon repeat listenings, this recording fronted by one of the more skilled pianists in modern jazz and a criminally underrated trumpeter commands attention from start to finish, and deserves grand accolades, including a strong candidacy for Jazz CD of 2009. – Michael G. Nastos
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