Rhapsody by flugelhorn and trumpet man John Bailey is a spirited journey across various colors of jazz. The musical flow ranges from upbeat burners to downbeat and bluesy. The level of musicianship is high and makes for an engaging production from start to finish. Joining Bailey on the effort is a top-notch lineup that includes Victor Lewis on drums, Stacey Dillard on saxophones, John Hart on guitar and Cameron Brown on bass, with Janet Axelrod joining in on flute for a track. The excellent compositions that comprise the bulk of the effort are from Bailey, with a nod to Milton Nascimiento and Gilberto Gil for two selections. Kudos to Bailey and company for a fantastic recording.
Tracks: Rhapsody, My Man Louis, Triplicity, Lovely Planet, Blues for Ella, Morro Velho, Stepping Up, Children’s Waltz, Ensaio Geral.