Rob Mullins Trio - The Nearness Of You (2018) [Hi-Res]

Live in studio straight ahead jazz project featuring Great American Songbook tunes, Rob Mullins originals, and some holiday favorites.

"Most of the arrangements are uptempo, taking songs we have heard so many times before in fresh directions that propel them forward into the faster paced reality of modern times. This includes the rhythmic whimsical, improvisational spirit of “Moonlight in Vermont”; the simmering percussive fire of “Tango Delicioso”’ some lively skipping grooves and chordings on “The Girl From Ipanema” and a bright, freewheeling romp through “Stompin’ at the Savoy” whose charms include bursts of light via flurries from the piano’s upper register. The mid-tempo “Willow Weep For Me” is a slow simmering, then ultimately explosive blues number. It’s an excitement generating, stylistic callback to one of Mullins’ most memorable interpretations ever, “Georgia On My Mind.”

For good measure, Mullins follows the one decidedly darker shaded tune, “B Minor Ballad” with two brisk, playful numbers that close the set, the ironically titled “Meditation” (which will only have you meditating on toe tapping fun!) and a muscular declaration that “There is No Greater Love.” The Nearness of You succeeds on every level possible, making it a wonderful and essential addition to Mullin’s already expansive, multi-decade catalog." ~ Jonathan Widran