Recorded over three days in May 2023, drummer and bandleader Joe Syrian brought together his band to record a series of well-known numbers such as Ray Henderson’s “Bye, Bye Blackbird” and Cole Porter’s “Night and Day” to pop/rock classics like the Beatles’ “Here, There and Everywhere,” Leon Russell’s “This Masquerade.” and Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing.” He was joined by pianist Adam Birnbaum, guitarist Paul Bollenback, acoustic and electric bassist Lorin Cohen, trombonist Doug Beavers, alto and baritone saxophonist Carl Maraghi, and trumpeter and flugelhornist Nick Marchionne. (Tenor saxophonist Tim Reis, and tenor saxophonist and bass clarinetist Dave Reikenberg , each appear on a handful of tracks). A special mention should also be made of Kenny Washington who provides lush vocals on “People Make The World Go Round”.

The result is a soft jazz release which is well-performed but with absolutely no soul whatsoever. To my mind it does not add anything to the songs we already know so well, the result being something which I can imagine the band playing in different clubs, and some punters enjoying it so much that they decide to buy a memento of the evening, but to my ears it is painting by numbers as opposed to creating a masterpiece. It is all very clever, but one wonders why bother. I cannot imagine ever returning to this, as it misses the mark for both lovers of jazz and the original material, albeit it being well played and well produced.

Rating: 6/10

Links:
https://joesyrianmotorcityjazzoctet.com/
https://www.circle9music.com/