Sarel River : Mr. Blue Eyes

Sarel River is a fine jazz guitarist out of New York via Hafai, Boston and Budapest who, with his third release, Mr. Blue Eyes, showcases his strengths as a composer, arranger and thoughtful improviser. His playing on all eight original tunes is very tasty and well crafted, opting for a more thoughtful approach than the “lets see how many notes I can play” syndrome. But just as important as his playing, maybe even more so, is his composition and arranging skills.

Sarel River has the splendid ability to create emotion, through the various instrumentation he writes and arranges for. Just check out the warmth that Trumpet and Flugelhorn player Dave Scott brings to the table on the opening track “Mount Juddah On My Mind”. Or listen to the sweet softness of Adam Kolker’s Alto Flute as he states the melody on “The Power of Your Smile” and then takes a nice solo adding affection through the changes. Sarel also sneaks in a couple of “Softly as in a Morning Sunrise” quotes in his solo which fits nicely within the harmony.

Tracks two and three, “Stormy Tuesday” and “Main Street Fugue” respectively, bring in a few other players resulting in a phat “small” big band sound that had me snapping my fingers to the swing of it all. Apart from the swinging rhythm section of Ron McClure on Bass, Bruce Hall on Drums and David Berkman on Piano, Sarel also fills the sound with the addition of Allen Ferber on Trombone along with the aforementioned Dave Scott and Adam Kolker who handles Soprano, Alto and Tenor saxophone duties alongside his Alto Flute playing. This is definitely a great grouping of cats with some great charts (check out the hip tutti section of “Main Street Fugue”) and the sound that emanates from these players is reminiscent of the old Blue Note recordings of the sixties and seventies.

The common thread throughout these tunes however is Sarel River’s guitar playing which is warm and round, providing a contemplative energy to the tunes. His lines flow easily and his melodic content is harmonically in the pocket. He’s definitely listened to the gamut of “old school” Jazz Guitar-masters and fits in quite nicely in that milieu. His solo work, especially on “Mr. Blue Eyes” is warm and expressive and conjures up a hint or two of Kenny Burrell’s earlier period. Also noteworthy on this tune is Bassist Ron McClure’s feel and dynamic range in both his accompaniment and improvising. A beautiful tune indeed made more so by Sarel’s volume swelled chordal comping.

“Waltz For EJ” also shows Sarel’s sensitive side as he opens up the tune with a nice chord melody intro followed by David Berkman’s Tyner-esque chords and feel. Berkman’s solo is also first rate and brings to mind snippets of McCyoy Tyner and Bill Evans. Not to shabby at all.

The final tune on “Mr. Blue Eyes” is a very cool blues with a Monk-ish style head. Sarel and Adam get to blow some smokin' lines through the changes while Drummer Bruce Hall makes the tune swing as he rides the ride cymbal hard. Bassist Ron McClure lays it down keeping the bottom walking smoothly. A great tune that wound up sticking in my head for days...which is always a good sign.

The one bittersweet sentiment of this CD is that it is a loving tribute to Sarel and Daphne Sack River's baby boy Ethan, who passed away from cancer in June of 2004, at the age of eight months. The fact that Sarel could find the strength to write, play on and record this CD is testament to his passion towards this music and the ever-lasting love for his son. Thank you Sarel River for a wonderful tribute to Mr Blue Eyes..

Go to cdbaby.com/cd/sarelriver2 to purchase Mr. Blue Eyes.

Lyle Robinson