Ryan Cohen
Another Look
Motema Records
www.motema.com

Geof Bradfield
African Flowers
Origin Records
www.geofgradfield.com
By George W. Harris

These two recent releases are unified by the presence on each disc of the talents of pianist Ryan Cohan and reed/flutist Geof Bradfield, who both write the lion’s share of the material as well. Both discs bubble over with creativity, panache, and above all, and enjoyable sense of melody and swing.

On Another Look, Cohan teams up with Bradfield, Joe Locke/vib, Lorin Cohen/b, Kobie Watkins/dr and Steve Koon/perc for an impressive display of ivory ingenuity. Mixing the harmonies of Hancock, the drive of Powell and the modernity of Jarrett, Cohen leads his ensemble through some fresh new material like the bouncing “Monk’n Around” and the punchy “Steppin’ Up.” His trio work on Ellington’s “Caravan” is a Saharan tour de force, while the strident reading of “Joshua” gallops like a stallion. Locke and Bradfield make a great front line here, with the saxist gliding around Locke’s chimes like a river’s current around a stepping stone. Wonderful music.

Ditto for Geof Bradfield’s own African Flowers, who presents a different sounding band with Cohan and Victor Garacia/tp-perc, Jeff parker/g, Clark Sommers/b and George Fludas/dr. The album is essentially comprised of a nine song suite, which is held together by interludes by the ensemble, as well as piano, bass and drums. The symbiotic relationship of the tunes creates a wholistic sense of sound that is fresh as well as refreshing. Tunes from regions ranging from Rwanda (“Butare”) and Uganda (“Kampala”) have an authentic feel to them, completely avoiding the contrivances of other artists that have attempted the same idea. Uncluttered work by Garcia and Parker on “Harare/Leaving Africa” as well as Bradfield’s own work on “Lubumabashi” make this an attractive travelogue. Search this one out.