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Sideman as leader
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This review first appeared in Living Blues in November / December 2023.
After carving out a solid if behind-the-scenes reputation as a first-rate trumpet and cornet player with Roomful of Blues in the early 1970s and again with Duke Robillard's band in the '90s, Al Basile has had a second, more public career as a leader the last quarter-century.
Beginning with the 1998 release as co-leader with Robillard of Down on Providence Plantation, Basile has issued a total of 16 albums on his own Sweetspot Records as leader or co-leader.
Make that 17, with the release of the retrospective compilation "B's Time."
The 17 tracks found here draw on most of those releases, providing a nice overview of a solo career that's been marked by his development as vocalist (while still featuring his horn). There is no discernible order on this collection; rather, Basile (who produced the release) seems to have chosen the songs much as he might build a set list, aiming to mix things up a bit, keep it interesting.
While most of his catalog is marked by an uptempo, swing-infused jump blues vibe, he takes in a broad swath of territory which is richly captured here: "I Really Miss You" from that first release with Robillard is a guitar-driven blues (with Basile on vocals), while "B.D." from 2003's "Red Breath" is straight-ahead post-bop jazz anchored by pianist Paul Odeh's imaginative leads. "While We're Dancing" ("The Tinge," 2007) finds Basile in a New Orleans retro jazz vein playing horn and singing atop pianist Bruce Katz' light comping, while "Causing Joy" ("Soul Blue," 2009) lays a slow blues atop a reggae beat. And his soaring vocal duet with Sista Monica Parker on "Make a Little Heaven" ("Woke Up In Memphis," 2014) is a percolating bit of vintage R&B.
Basile wrote all the songs except "Don't Wait Too Long," and if he's yet to have a crossover hit he does have a nice touch at crafting warm melodic tunes full of aural hooks. He also has a golden touch at assembling tight bands for each outing, and has enlisted Robillard to produce most of his albums.
This is, as is undoubtedly the aim for a retrospective compilation, a wonderful introduction to Basile's music. Listeners new to his work will find this a highly useful guide to exploring his catalog.