Paradise Cove

West Coast pianist Lisa Hilton is a melodic stylist whose approach deftly straddles the hooky, groove-oriented work of Ramsey Lewis with the modern jazz influence of players like Bill Evans and Horace Silver. While she most often works in a solo or trio setting, 2022s quartet album Paradise Cove showcases her warm affinity for small group jazz. Joining her are longtime associates, bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Obed Calvaire with guest trumpeter Igmar Thomas. Together they settle into a laid-back mix of originals and nicely curated covers that come alive with their jubilant interplay. The opening rendition of Dizzy Gillespies classic "Birks Works" perfectly sets the tone as Hilton digs into the sneaky minor blues melody before Thomas takes over. Several blues-themed originals follow with the Afro-Latin-tinged "Fast Times Blues" and the tropical-leaning "Blues Vagabond." More languid is Hiltons "Another Simple Sunday with You," an aptly titled ballad whose lullaby-esque melody has a relaxing, ASMR-inducing quality. Also compelling is the quartets burnished take on the Burt Bacharach and Hal David pop classic "What the World Needs Now," Thomas muted horn offering a dusky counterpoint to Hiltons sparkling piano. With Thomas lithe trumpet framed by Hiltons sweetly lyrical piano, much of Paradise Cove evokes a softer, contemporary version of celebrated small group sessions like Relaxin with the Miles Davis Quintet and the Clark Terry/Thelonious Monk record In Orbit; its an album of empathic give-and-take that makes for an intoxicating combination. ~ Matt Collar