Jared Gold: Reemergence

Organist Jared Gold’s Strikezone release Reemergence, his ninth CD, kicks off with his original title track. It’s deep in the pocket, and the music pretty much keeps that groove going all the way through the nicely varied program. In part, we’ve got drummer Billy Hart to thank for that, a much-recorded veteran who played with Jimmy Smith back in the Sixties. Gold’s regular employer, guitarist Dave Stryker, who also produced the date, is another key to the success of this outing, and the addition of trumpeter Jeremy Pelt on 3 tracks was an inspired idea. The eclectic repertoire is a mix of Gold originals, a couple of standards, and tunes by Stryker (Nomad), Ornette Coleman (Blues Connotation), Stevie Wonder (Lookin’ For Another Pure Love), and gospel composer Doris Akers (Sweet Sweet Spirit). Perhaps the most surprising selection is the Lennon-McCartney song She’s Leaving Home, never one of my favorite Beatles tunes, but beautifully done here. It seems that the organ trio will never go totally out of style as long as there are practitioners who reimagine the sometimes hackneyed format, and the solidly swinging Gold is absolutely one of the cats that will keep this genre thriving. Recommended. 

Strikezone 8817; Jared Gold (Hammond B3 org) Dave Stryker (g) Billy Hart (d) Jeremy Pelt (tp & flgh on *); Paramus, NJ, January 22, 2018; Reemergence*/ It Ain’t Necessarily So/ Lookin’ for Another Pure Love*/ She’s Leaving Home/ One For John A*/ How Long Has This Been Going On/ Blues Connotation/ Sweet Sweet Spirit/ Nomad; 51:19. www.facebook.com/StrikezoneJazz/