THE PAUL CARLON QUINTET

BLUES FOR VITA

Deep Tone Records

Paul Carlon, tenor saxophone/composer; Eddie Allen, trumpet; Helio Alves, piano; Harvie S., bass; Willie Martinez, drums.

Paul Carlon and his quintet, offers his sixth album release for our pleasure.  His “Blues for Vita” album includes eight songs, five that are original compositions by Carlon.  The quintet opens with “Dee Dot” that is nothing like the blues but is more Straight-ahead and oozing energy, with Paul Carlon’s tenor saxophone chiming in, locking tones with Eddie Allen’s trumpet to announce the song’s melody.  Willie Martinez on drums not only holds down the rhythm section but offers us inspired solos in between the staccato horn lines, almost like trading fours. Carlon composed this tune quickly.  It swiveled off his head during a rehearsal, where he immediately scatted the melody to the bandmembers as it circled in his brain. “Dee Dot” makes for a very creative and energetic beginning to an album concert that offers a refreshing repertoire of music.

The next song, another Carlon original composition, is named “Colored Paper” and ambles along  at a moderate pace with a driving Latin beat.  Helio Alves steps forward with his improvised piano solo.  Then Carlon enters with that tenor saxophone that’s full of deep tones and the blues.   I am enamored by the sonic tones floating from his horn. In Paul Carlon’s press package it says he was a big fan of one of my favorite jazz saxophonists, Gene Ammons.  Ammons always had the blues tucked into his horn like a hanky in his breast pocket.  I hear that deep blues coloring Carlon’s horn solos. He also says he was influenced by the great Woody Shaw, known for revolutionizing the technical and harmonic language of modern jazz trumpet playing. Towards the end of this tune, Willie Martinez soaks up the spotlight on his drums.

The title tune was composed for Carlon’s wife, Lavita.  Eddie Allen’s bright trumpet dances around the chord changes during an inspired improvised solo.  Once again, this song blossoms from the blues form.  Carlon’s tenor solo sings atop the walking bass of Harvie S. and soon drummer Willie Martinez shines during a brief but power-driven solo.  Of the ‘cover’ songs Carlon has picked, two are from my favorite album by Nancy Wilson when she debuted her amazing voice with the Cannonball Adderly group.  “Never Never Will I Marry” is transformed into a Straight-ahead arrangement that lets Paul’s tenor fly like a bird who just was uncaged and is enjoying his freedom.  Alves (on piano) follows suit, showing off his technique at a speedy pace.

Wow!  What an unusual arrangement Carlon has created for “It Never Entered My Mind.”  I enjoyed it because it was so unique and well represented by his quintet players.  Here is an artist/composer with a fresh perspective on old, familiar tunes.  His song “Zooming into the Void” was composed during the COVID Pandemic when he was making music on his computer’s Zoom screen.  The unique melody line, horn harmonies, and rhythm section, support set the stage for Harvie S. to step through the lush musical curtains to take a noteworthy bass solo. It sums up an album of creativity, musical excellence, and adventure played from the heart.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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