Jocelyn Gould's talents are on full display with Sonic Bouquet

SICK BOSS - BUSINESSLESS (Drip Audio, 2023)

Vancouver guitarist/composer Cole Schmidt has assembled a talented sextet of improvising musicians for this throbbing, meandering and utterly engaging collection of compositions. These “hefty, episodic compositions are mostly built upon sturdy instrumental rock foundations” but there are elements of exploration through shifting colours and textures.

Useless Genius 1, 2 and 3 are thematically linked but with very different grooves. Useless Genius 1 explodes from the opening and sets the tone with a sense of urgency and grit. Useless Genius 2 is molten and seismic, while Useless Genius 3 hangs upon a slower groove.

When The Buzzards Leave the Bones begins with the string trio of Josh Zubot (violin), Peggy

Lee (cello) and James Meger (bass) bowing lush lines and then attacking with pizzicato vigour, before the slippery return of long fluid lines against frantic energy.

Other highlights include Doctor Dawn and CJ Blues.

JOCELYN GOULD SONIC BOUQUET (Independent, 2023)

Jocelyn Gould is a Juno-winning guitarist whose talents in swing, blues and bebop are on full display in this new record. Joined by Randy Napoleon (guitar) and Virginia MacDonald (clarinet), the three trade melodies that dance and weave around each other. The symbiotic rhythm section gives a seamless pulse and texture with the contributions of Will Boness (piano), Rodney Baker (bass) and Quincy Davis (drums).

The album title Sonic Bouquet refers to each musician contributing their colours and styles like individual flowers making up a gorgeous bouquet. The title is wholly appropriate.

Trail Blazer opens the album and immediately grabs the listener's attention. Guitar lines are thrilling yet restrained, bursting with energy but not ego.

There is a profound performance of My Foolish Heart that deserves repeated listening.

Other highlights include Tender is the Night, Spring Regardless, Jessica's Birthday and The Kicker (Joe Henderson).

GEORGE LETTERS TO GEORGE (Out Of Your Head Records, 2023)

Drummer/composer/bandleader John Hollenbeck and his brand new band GEORGE - a quartet that Hollenbeck created specifically to work with the other three musicians. Anna Webber (tenor sax/flute), Aurora Nealand (voice/ alto & soprano sax/ keyboards) and Chiquita Magic (keyboards/ voice/piano) bring their unique talents and musical gifts to the project, and the results are compelling. Wordless vocals and synth tones paint sonic pictures brimming with colour and light.

Hollenbeck and Webber are Brooklyn-based creators while Nealand is rooted in New Orleans Traditional Jazz. Chiquita Magic's music is described as “futuristic pop using microtonal synths, voice and drum machines.”

Highlights include Saunders, Washington Carver, Earthworker, Clinton and the closer, Iceman. This record deserves your attention.

PERIPHERAL VISION WE'VE GOT NOTHING (Step3, 2023)

This contemporary Toronto-based quartet combines influences spanning jazz, rock, classical and improv. Trevor Hogg (tenor sax), Don Scott (guitar), Michael Herring (bass) and Nick Fraser (drums) have been playing together for about fifteen years and you can hear the chemistry and mutual respect in the playing.

Standing on Two Feet has some angular and intriguing guitar lines while Cone of Silence has some gentle tenor sax lines and fluid guitar lines.

Other highlights include Full Disclosure Comedy Vehicle,

I've Got Nothing and Goodbye Heintzman.