Soundtrack (CD)

Jazz trumpeter, composer and author Jeremy Pelt has certainly never shied away from themed albums so one might expect something cinematic from the enigmatically-titled Soundtrack. However, as Pelt himself explains, "Ive certainly done plenty of concept albums, but in this case theres nothing Im on a soapbox about. Its been a tough time for all of us, so lets not worry about sending messages for a minute. Here we are, playing some songs and having some fun. Having fun the band may be but along the way they make some compelling jazz weaving a beguiling tapestry of kaleidoscopic colors with Pelts sultry and communicative trumpet to the fore surrounded by Chien Chien Lus hypnotic vibraphone and pianist Victor Goulds subtle splashes of the Fender Rhodes.
The inclusion of Brittany Anjou on Moog synthesizer and the rarely-heard Mellotron may imply a real electronica aspect present on the recording but, quite to the contrary, Pelt uses them sparingly and incorporates them brilliantly into the groups tonal palette. Their appearance does occasionally bring a certain 70s independent jazz vibe to the proceedings but they far from define the sound of the group. Anne Drummonds silvery flute on two tracks adds yet another dimension to the already wide spectrum of colors on this latest album in the discography of the sometimes surprising but always inspired Jeremy Pelt