A Rhodes electric chime heralds a warm, electric bop wave that slowly pulls you under with a smile. John Ellis (Charlie Hunter Trio) brings in many worlds to this heady jazz set. His experiences in New Orleans, in a house band in Singapore, playing with legends like Ellis Marsalis
and Mike Clark - it’s all here, in the life xperience humming in these graceful compositions and earthy performances. There are nods to stated influences Dexter Gordon & Charles Lloyd (who’s great ‘70s Atlantic sides this echoes) but these ears also pick up strains of Lou Donaldson
and especially Von Freeman. Little, well-picked touches like a swinging tambourine or the Stevie Wonder-esque harmonica add layers to the joyous interaction of the players throughout, a bubbling energy that’s similar to primo Brecker Brothers in tone. They are just as alluring when they go meditative on “Seeing Mice” where keyboardist Aaron Goldberg displays an Abdullah Ibrahim like grace. This is a wonderful jazz love letter with no needs for bells, whistles or gimmicks. Everything about it seems unforced, as natural as water carving a pathway in soft sand, welcome as a sunset at the end of a long, beautiful day.