Jerome Sabbagh – Vintage (Vinil 180g, LP)

In 1988, the then 15-year-old saxophone student Jérôme Sabbagh had the pleasure of being a spectator at a Stan Getz concert in Paris. On stage with him was jazz pianist Kenny Barron. Deeply impressed by the interplay of these two masters, the concert had a lasting influence on Sabbagh’s musical development and career. 32 years later, the saxophonist has now made his dream come true – his own recording with Barron at the piano. The result is the album „Vintage”, a tribute to the „good old” jazz heroes, since the Frenchman is a friend of traditional, straightforward jazz. The quartet is highly complemented by Joe Martin on bass and Barron’s regular drummer Jonathan Blake.

Opening the album is one of Sabbagh’s own compositions, the melodic title track „Vintage,” which kicks things off nicely with a Latin-laced finale and fiery saxophone and piano improvisations. Other tracks that show his flair for coherent compositions include „Slay The Giant” and the upbeat, Brazilian-tinged „Elson’s Energy.” Two wonderful duet ballads await the listener in Billy Strayhorn’s „A Flower is a Lonesome Thing” and Monk’s „Ask Me Now,” while Tadd Dameron’s „On a Misty Night” (a shared favorite of Sabbagh and Barron’s) flows impossibly casually and features a gorgeous piano solo. Another Monk tune is the groovy „We See.”

The recording took place in 2020 at Oktaven Audio on analog multitrack tape by Ryan Streber, with mixing by Pete Rende on an Ampex 351 tube tape recorder on ½-inch tape. Remastering was handled by legend Bernie Grundman.

This unique, unforced encounter shows how beautifully music can flow – „Vintage” invites you to enjoy.

We recommend the use of „L’Art du Son” LP cleaner to wet wash your vinyl. Even new records of high quality production will benefit from this.

Lista pieselor

1. Vintage

2. On a Misty Night

3. A Flower is a Lovesome Thing

4. Elson’s Energy

5. Slay the Giant

6. We See

7. Ask Me Now