Jamie Ousley - Back Home (2010)

Jamie Ousley takes us "Back Home" with his highly anticipated second release, featuring Ira Sullivan and Ed Calle.

Recorded in Osaka, Japan and Miami, this eclectic collection of songs is influenced by bassist-composer Jamie Ousley's travels around the world. However, the melodic themes and compositions remain true to his home. "I've lived away from home for a long time, like so many of us do," he notes, "but my heart is still there in the mountains of Tennessee, and it's reflected in my music."

The highly acclaimed rhythm section of Ousley's debut CD "O Sorriso Dela" returns for this new project, with Phillip Strange on piano, Larry Marshall on drums, and Jamie Ousley himself on double bass. Multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan is featured prominently on six of the tracks playing flugel horn, soprano saxophone, and alto flute. Ed Calle is featured on soprano saxophone in a heart-felt reprise of the title cut "Back Home" presented here as a bonus track. The renowned Costa Rican percussionist Carlomagno Araya (with Ruben Blades, Paquito D'Rivera, Nestor Torres, Eddie Gomez, etc.) brings a Latin flavor to many of the tracks, and Venezuelan concert master violinist Jhonny Mendoza is beautifully featured on violin, mandolin, cuatro, and maracas.

Three distinct vocalists present Ousley's debut compositions complete with lyrics. The title cut "Back Home" was co-written and performed by SAMM, who regularly tours and performs with Ousley as the "Unorthodox Duo," with just bass and vocals. Miami native LeNard Rutledge, in his deep baritone voice, delivers Ousley's heart-felt lament "So Long" to a lost loved one. Finally, rising star Japanese vocalist Nanami Morikawa sings the children's bedtime "Prayer" with the voice of an angel.

The eleven tracks feature eight new original compositions as well as a Flamenco inspired arrangement of "My Favorite Things," and a Cuban Danzon version of Chopin's Nocturne in E-flat. The entire recording encompasses influences that span the globe, yet it's clear that to Jamie Ousley, "Back Home" is where the heart is.