NEW RELEASE – EMMET COHEN

Cohen & Co call up the spirits of Miles Davis and John Coltrane.   

Emmet Cohen tours the world with a Miles Davis and John Coltrane Centenary tribute, continuing his saga as a blessing for contemporary jazz. If anyone is doing the jazz realm a favor (in sync with fellow pianist Sullivan Fortner), it’s Cohen, lodging in the castle of giants yet stepping out and darting over the hills with fresh and exuberant ideas popping out of his head and hands. Not mention creator of the popular and exciting YouTube channel Emmet’s Place.

Universal Truth builds on his touring concept, not so much a clear-cut revival of repertoire but more like a spiritual tribute. The cool-boppish complexity of Budo goes way back to Birth Of The Cool, while My Funny Valentine is associated with The Second Great Quintet of Miles Davis. It’s the flexibility and near-telepathy of that iconic group that rubs off on Cohen & Co, a group so terribly tight-knit from playing together continuously in New York over the years it’s frightening. Apart from close associate Joe Farnsworth, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and tenor saxophonist Tivon Pennicott, Cohen is assisted by former Davis bassist Ron Carter on two tracks.

Oh, how they dig up Valentine from the grave is something else, the spontaneity is palpable and all concerned – including giant George Coleman (Sonny Rollins passed on but Big G’s still around) and melodic (and fast) rhythm maestro Farns – go with the sumptuous ebb and flow as dolphins dancing on the ceiling.

Cohen’s mini-suite I-II-III is more Coltrane-inspired, the climaxing title track tailor-made for his gorgeous voicing and meandering river-lines. Can’t help but be swept away by Cohen’s sinuous waves of joy.

Check out Universal Truth on Bandcamp here: https://emmetcohen.bandcamp.com/album/universal-truth