Phil Lentz – ‘Phil Lentz Presents… Vol. II’ [Album Review]

New York City-based jazz composer and pianist Phil Lentz has just released his latest album, Phil Lentz Presents… Vol. II, an eleven-track collection of songs blending elements of jazz, pop, folk, and classical music into a delicious sonic tapestry.

Lentz explains, “This time, I wanted to step beyond the boundaries of traditional jazz. Drawing in elements of folk and classical felt natural, adding layers of texture and depth to the compositions. Each track aims to capture those fleeting moments of peace and joy we all seek.”

Phil Lentz Presents… Vol. II features a talented ensemble, including Dennis Harte on guitar, Wolfgang Lugomarsini on bass, and Dave Young on drums. It also features the soulful sounds of Red Heller and Richard Philbin on alto sax, with Bob Cohen’s violin adding a dynamic flair.

Produced by Harte, recorded at Studio Mozart in New Jersey, and expertly mastered by Tom Hutten at Bionic Mastering, the album offers a wonderful listening experience.

All the tracks on the album deserve attention, but the crème de la crème of the offerings include “Bebopping Along (feat. Richard Philbin),” a light, bouncy jazz number with sparkling piano, soft percussion, and the tasty swinging tones of Philbin’s saxophone.

“I Remember the Early Days” with Red Heller rolls out on a low-slung, swaying rhythm as Heller’s nostalgia-filled voice imbues the lyrics with wistful timbres. The layering of guitar, piano, and strings creates a creamy smooth melody as the various instruments take precedence, adding flavourful accents.

Phil Lentz in 2018, photo by Carol Lentz

A personal favourite because of its classical, almost operatic flow, “Play Your Melody,” featuring Red Heller and Bob Cohen, begins dramatically with vocals verging on spoken word and then shifts to a pop-rock melody full of heavy guitars and emphatic, intense magniloquence, giving the tune a thick, tragic consequence.

Suffused with big mood swings and whispery enchantment, Phil Lentz Presents… Vol. II evokes a wide range of expressive emotions.

Phil Lentz Presents… Vol. II Track Listing:

1. Bebopping Along
2. I Remember the Early Days
3. The Circus
4. Play Your Melody
5. December Song
6. One Little Drop of Justice
7. Honky-Tonk Blues
8. Chimes
9. Blues À La Carte
10. Prairie March
11. Coda

Run Time: 29:00
Release Date: November 22, 2024
Record Label: Independent