Remy Le Boeuf's Assembly of Shadows: Heartland Radio
SoundSpore Records

If the sleek, pop-influenced sound of Remy Le Boeuf's Heartland Radio comes as a bit of a surprise, the reason for it is easily accounted for. Having been appointed Director of Jazz & Commercial Music Studies at the University of Denver, the saxophonist and his partner undertook a cross-country migration from Brooklyn to Colorado and, with the windows down on their Penske moving truck, soaked up whatever was playing on the radio at the time, jazz seldom part of the mix due to its modest radio presence. As performed by Le Boeuf's large ensemble Assembly of Shadows, the musical outcome of that road trip is an excellent collection featuring material that's sophisticated in its writing and arrangements yet immediately appealing for its melodic richness and inspired performances.

There's nothing cynical or overly calculating about the project. Le Boeuf's affection for popular music genres is genuine, which makes for him the process of fusing genres natural. In the seven pieces, funk grooves, R&B, and pop blend with jazz and so seamlessly no one could accuse him of slumming. That Le Boeuf has worked with Wynton Marsalis and JACK Quartet but also the Haim sisters and Scott Herren (aka Prefuse 73) shows how comfortable this four-time Grammy nominee is in multiple contexts.

With conductor Gregory Robbins at the helm, Le Boeuf and company—four other woodwind players, four trumpeters, four trombonists, guitarist, pianist, bassist, and drummer—captured the material at Mt Vernon's Oktaven Audio in March and August 2023. Adding to the recording, two songs include guest vocalists, and Remy's keyboards-playing brother Pascal also sits in on a couple of tracks. Heartland Radio wastes no time making an impact when the title track weds gorgeous horns and woodwinds with a slinky claps-accented funk groove from drummer Peter Kronreif and bassist Dan Montgomery. Elevating the radiant scene-setter further are spirited trade-offs between an alto-wielding Le Boeuf and trumpeter Philip Dizack.

Subbing for the elsewhere-utilized Alex Goodman, guitarist Max Light brings extra oomph to the radiant big band funk of “Stop & Go,” the tune otherwise channeling some disco-pop anthem from the ‘80s as it roars through its changes. Slowing things to a sultry, neo-soul tempo, “New Beginnings” oozes romance in its tribute to jazz great Roy Hargrove, with flugelhorn player Mike Rodriguez distinguishing himself in the featured soloist spot. Tenor saxophonist Lucas Pino's granted a similar showcase during the soulful closing ballad “Walking on Water.”

Julia Easterlin's attractive voice suits the luscious folk-jazz character of “Barbara” perfectly. Written by Le Boeuf and poet Sara Pirkle, the song references the California-based sculptor Barbara Holmes whose work appears on the album sleeve. Le Boeuf's cover of Nadje Noordhuis's “Little Song” does justice to the trumpeter's beautiful original, as does the heartfelt solo he contributes to the rendition. Enhancing the lustre of the song's textures are Danielle Wertz, who adds wordless vocals to the tune, and Martha Kato, whose piano is a graceful element here as it is throughout the set.

The charts on this album are so appealing, one pictures high-school band instructors salivating at the prospect of having their charges tackle them. The road trip strategy worked so well, one hopes Le Boeuf might have another cross-country trek marked on his calendar sometime soon, and maybe other artists should try the idea on for inspiration too. For now, Heartland Radio is a terrific addition to his discography.

April 2024