Audio Review: Soundview by Bruce Harris
Soundview (2021)
Cellar Music Group
Bruce Harris, Trumpet
Sullivan Fortner, Piano
David Wong, Bass
Aaron Kimmel, Drums
Samara McClendon, Voice
After his 2017 debut album Beginnings, trumpeter Bruce Harris introduces a new album that pays tribute to his hometown Bronx neighborhood of Soundview by featuring original compositions and standards selected from the Black American Songbook. Backed by a strong rhythm section, Soundview is also the first in a series of albums produced by the great trumpeter Jeremy Pelt that features various voices of Black artists.
Starting with an original composition by Harris, “Soundview” begins with an unsteady sense of melody that is then stabilized by the solo line of pianist Sullivan Fortner. The selection “Satellite” features a good rendition of Art Farmer’s/Gigi Gryce tune followed by another Harris original composition “Maybe It’s Hazy” with a muted duet alongside bassist David Wong.
As vocalist Samara McClendon enters for her first of two tracks, Harris sings through his instrument which leads into the alluring vocals of McClendon for “If You Were Mine.” The fifth track “Hank’s Prank” kicks the album into high gear with an exact runaway tempo of the classic Hank Mobley tune.
Back in his stylistic element, Harris vocalizes through the horn on “You’re Lucky To Me” bending the right pitch at the right moment. As the Ellington Suite comes next, melodies from “Black Beauty,” “Drop Me Off In Harlem,” and “Echos of Harlem” speak convincing ideas reminiscent of sounds heard on the streets of the neighborhood’s Renaissance. The trading between all the musicians gives joy especially with Fortner dancing up and down the keyboard. The final tracks with McClendon singing through “Bird of Red and Gold” and the closing track “Saucer Eyes” bring a satisfactory ending to this album.
Throughout the album, Harris’s musical ideas seem to be slightly overshadowed by inconsistencies in sound production and articulation which then loses some stability in the execution of ideas. With an adequate balance of originality and devotion, Soundview still gives a solid tip of the cap to a beautiful art form.
Tracklist:
Soundview – Bruce Harris
Satellite – G. Gryce
Maybe It’s Hazy – Bruce Harris
If You Were Mine – J. Mercer, M Malneck
Hank’s Prank – H. Mobley
You’re Lucky To Me – E. Blake, A. Razaf
Ellington Suite – arr. Andy Farber
Bird Of Red and Gold – Barry Harris
Saucer Eyes – R. Weston
Click here to purchase Soundview.
Click here to learn more about Bruce Harris.
