Sheila Landis And Rick Matle - Riding The Round Pool

Songstress Sheila Landis and multi-instrumentalist Rick Matle are among the most enduring duos on the jazz scene. They have been going into the recording studio for more than 20 years, producing first-rate albums that are exceedingly musical and entertaining. Landis has a clear, strong, vibrant voice that snatches your attention right from the outset, as it does on "Life in Flamenco Green." Her band, in ensemble and as individual performers, get plenty of play during this session. There's haunting, exotic saxophone by Larry Nozero which is in line with this jungle rhythm piece. Various other percussive sounds abound, adding to the jungle atmosphere. After this long instrumental interlude, Landis comes back behind the rat-a-tatting of drums and the richness of the one-stringed berimbau. This is Landis and Matle at their uncommon best. Even standards are given unusual but legitimate readings. Landis opens "My Baby Just Cares for Me" riding in on percussion before Matle's electric piano comping provides the melodic basis for her scatting. Once again, a bandmember gets a chance to show off, and this time it's Dwight Adams on muted trumpet. Staying with a Brazilian motif, Landis does "Garota de Ipanema," aka "Girl From Ipanema," in Portuguese using some phrasing techniques to give this favorite a different reading. Throughout the session, a series of interesting sounds are created by Matle which are seamlessly integrated into Landis' vocalizing. Riding the Round Pool is this duo's 12th album together, and at some point, one would think they would run out of ideas. No so by a long shot. The material and performances on their latest is as fresh and as innovative as anything they have ever done. Highly recommended. (by Dave Nathan)