STORIES, the latest release from Kiss The Bride, is jazz at its smoothest - like your summer's tall glass of smoothie in the midday sun. You take a defiant stance against the bright, scorching yellow sphere and with vengeance and gusto - drink down your glass of coolness as an act of victory.No, STORIES do not sound anything like the title above, which clearly alludes to the classic Monk album. This is a cruise through twelve cuts of hip songwriting courtesy of songwriter/ keyboardist , Tony Razon. Smooth and cruising aren't exactly exclusive to sleek cars and urban nights, and sooner - would surely raise eyebrows from purist jazz camps. Kiss the Bride's album is clearly at home with the Spyro Gyra/ Larry Carlton/David Benoit territory. Lest these statements lead you to a stereotypical conclusion: STORIES brim with mature songwriting and playing.
Masters are separated from the novice by one word: restraint. Though Kiss The Bride features excellent musicians (Keyboardist/ songwriter Tony Razon, percussionist Uly Avante, keyboardist Cecile Santiago Rodgers, bassist Kingsley de los Santos, drummer Otep Concepcion, Saxophonist Vince Lahorra and guitarist Joey Puyat), their playing is marked with so much discipline and restraint .
Every solo and melody are curtly placed and tastefully played. No meandering solos, no "hey-dig-my-chops-and-reharmonized-approach" moments here, folks. As Rodgers, Concepcion, Avante and de Los Santos set the panoramic backdrop in grooves and rhythms, Razon, Puyat and Lahorra provide the characters' dialogues in this virtual storybook. Puyat is the perfect foil for the sharp and accurate lines of Lahorra and Razon. While Razon's piano is elegant and Lahorra's lines are confident and fluid, Puyat provides the earthy "rawk" moments when called for. Whether treading the latin vistas (Gypsy on My Mind, High on You, Secret of San Simon), the smooth jazz highway (Steppin' Out with my Baby, Serenade for Eden, Murphy's Day Off), wide soundscapes (Grey Sweater Days), late night swing (Theme for My Bride) or potential themes (the deliciously tempo twisting Moments), Kiss The Bride's mature playing offer a seamless travel through their stories. Perhaps it is one of those rare jazz treasures that follow a concept album format. STORIES is elegantly packaged. Tinnie Esguera provides the beautiful liners which capture the songs in words. In fact, according to Razon, Esguera drew inspiration from almost two hours worth of interview. Cecile Santiago Rodgers' excellent photos are also featured on the album cover and inner sleeves. STORIES surely is more than the album title, it is a total experience.
Some things just simply stand on its own, and STORIES come across as such - no frills, no drama and is best taken straight, no chaser.
Tiano, BM 2012
Blogger's note: Stories is available online at CDbaby.com. Click here for a direct link.
It is also available in select Odyssey and Astrovision/Astroplus outlets in Metro Manila.
In Bacolod City, Stories is available at Miren Desserts Cafe, Art District Lopue's Mandalagan (see promo left). Now, ain't that sweet?
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