Album review: 'Light Blue' 

Martin Wind

"Light Blue"

Laika Records

martinwind.com

For the last three decades, Martin Wind has been among the most in-demand bassists in jazz, playing with a diverse array of artists ranging from Johnny Griffin to Sting. His latest album, "Light Blue," leaves no doubt that he's far more than a sideman. Wind wrote every tune and wow, do they vary. The opener, "While I'm Still Here" is a straight-ahead classic that could have been written in the 1950's, and "A Genius and a Saint" is a beautiful ballad. But just wait until you reach the fifth tune, "Power Chords." It's a wild ride featuring what sounds like a herd of elephants.

After playing with almost everyone, Wind can enlist an all-star group for his projects. "Light Blue" features top-flight performances from Ingrid Jensen on trumpet; Scott Robinson, saxophones, clarinet, and tarogato; Anat Cohen, clarinet; Gary Versace, piano and organ; Bill Cunliffe, piano; Matt Wilson, drums; and Duduka Da Fonseca, drums. And there is one more musician, Maucha Adnet, a superb vocalist in Portuguese and English, who transforms the last four tracks into a gorgeous bonus album within the album.