Feeling Right

Editorial Reviews
From Jazziz
If Grandma Moses didn't start painting until she was in her eighties, what's wrong with veteran pianist Phil Wright launching his solo career at 70 with Feeling Wright (Chartmaker)? A contemporary of Joe Sample and Ramsey Lewis (he was on staff at Chess and Capitol as an arranger and producer in the decades when those two were first grabbing the spotlight), Wright has a similar style - soulful and pop-oriented, yet strong on traditional-jazz improvisation. On the briskly swinging "Hot Mama," he invokes the playful high-register attitude of yet another from that era - Vince Guaraldi. While Wright seems most at home jumping off into swirling, lightning-quick runs, as on the frenetic "Sometimes Samba," he also proves capable of subtle ballads like "Twilight Serenade." And his trio (with bassist Andy Simpkins and drummer Bruno Carr) enjoys experimentation; "Circle" begins as a gentle love letter, then evolves into a swinging jam complete with exploding hi-hat flourishes and unexpected glissandos, and ends with a heated bass-piano conversation.

Feeling Right,Phil Wright,Chartmaker,Hard Bop,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop

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