Straight Forward New Faces

• 1 Happy Juice 05:25
• 2 Delilah Was a Libra 04:48
• 3 West Village 04:55
• 4 King Cobra 06:35
• 5 I'm Ok 04:27
• 6 Down the Pike 05:33
• 7 Hush Puppy 06:23
• 8 Vortex 08:17
• 9 Frederico 05:06
• 10 Follow Suit 06:39
• 11 Preachin' 03:44
• Total Runtime 01:01:52

Info for Straight Forward

Posi-Tone Records unveils a carefully curated presentation of "New Faces" and keeps the musical message focused "Straight Forward." This album is certainly not just another blowing date. This new music intentionally combines the individual talents of emerging Posi-Tone leaders into a cohesive camaraderie of artists that work together as a unified collective to consciously create a series of meaningful musical presentations. This "New Faces" group (trumpeter Josh Lawrence, vibraphonist Behn Gillece, saxophonist Roxy Coss, pianist Theo Hill, bassist Peter Brendler and drummer Vinnie Sperrazza) was carefully assembled and supervised by producer Marc Free, given the collective mission, and then sent off together to explore a wonderland of melodic mysteries and harmonic possibilities. The entire series of succinct performances included on this album are deliberately intended to provide accurate practical auditory insight and representation of the musical aesthetics and operational ethos of Posi- Tone Records. Highlighted by a sparkling diadem of performances, the album's engaging program takes us on an entertaining musical journey, and revisits some repertoire gems from the label's previous releases, along with some fresh cuts from the artist's dazzling compositional catalog. Sit back and enjoy the intelligent and beautiful sounds emanating from these talented "New Faces" as they work inclusively to move the music dialog "Straight Forward" toward a more delightful today and a brighter tomorrow.

"Fans of straightahead jazz should check out the compelling new album Straight Forward by the sextet New Faces. Producer and label head Marc Free’s stated goal with this disc is to provide a “representation of the musical aesthetics and operational ethos of Posi-Tone Records.” Because each member of New Faces is a gifted bandleader, this album serves as an intriguing calling card for trumpeter Josh Lawrence, vibraphonist Behn Gillece, tenor saxophonist Roxy Coss, pianist Theo Hill, bassist Peter Brendler and drummer Vinnie Sperrazza. The first half of the program features interpretations of gems from the Posi-Tone catalog—including pianist Jon Davis’ catchy composition “Happy Juice,” originally recorded as a piano trio number—and the second half focuses on newer compositions, including two from Lawrence and three from Gillece. The catalog songs are delivered with inventive new arrangements, exemplified by “Delilah Was A Libra,” which originally appeared on guitarist Edwing’s 1995 album, Trapdoor, and here becomes a showcase for Gillece’s luminous vibraphone tone. Lawrence’s “Hush Puppy” highlights the band members’ ability to spice up an arrangement with individual contributions—Lawrence’s muted trumpet, Hill’s fluid pianism, Sperrazza’s concise interludes—while serving the song as a whole and avoiding grandstanding. The program concludes with the bluesy swing of “Preachin’,” a composition from organist Jared Gold, who doesn’t play on the track but gives Lawrence a vehicle for a fine and mellow solo." (Bobby Reed, downbeat.com)

Josh Lawrence, trumpet
Roxy Coss, tenor saxophone
Behn Gillece, vibraphone
Theo Hill, piano
Peter Brendler, bass
Vinnie Sperrazza, drums

New Faces
are certainly not just another group making blowing dates. Instead, they intentionally revolve around combining the individual talents of emerging leaders from the Posi-Tone Records roster into cohesive camaraderies of artists working together consciously to create a series of meaningful presentations as a unified collective.

This album contains no booklet.