Lou Pomanti & Friends (Vesuvius Music)
Lou Pomanti
Released May 27, 2022
JAZZ FM 25 Best Jazz Albums of 2022
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mzayBy-dDAafODVhpE9BY37rZhwKrBO4Q
Spotify:
About:
Multi award-winning Canadian music producer, arranger and composer Lou Poman presents a beau ful record featuring many of his illustrious collaborators. A stellar back-up band, phenomenal featured soloists and a “who’s who” of vocalists performing ballads to big band, bossa-nova to blues, and plenty of soul.
Canadian Screen Awards (Gemini) winner Lou Poman is one of Canada’s most accomplished producers, composers, musicians and musical directors. Lou’s original music and performances are featured on soundtracks and recordings from some of Canada’s biggest stars, and he has contributed playing, arrangements and produc ons to several Grammy-winning albums. In 1980 Lou received a call from David Clayton-Thomas to join the seminal jazz rock group Blood, Sweat and Tears and toured the world. It began a decades-long associa on including the role as producer on DCT’s “Soul Ballads” album for Universal Records. 1983 saw the beginning of Lou’s session career as the first call pianist/synthesist in Toronto. His playing and arranging has enhanced the recordings of Michael Bublé, Gordon Ligh oot and Anne Murray; as well as rockers Kim Mitchell and Triumph. He received a Gemini award for arranging and conduc ng “Both Sides Now” for Joni Mitchell’s induc on to the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Lou is known for his big band and string arrangements. He arranged the orchestra for Michael Buble’s smash hit “Haven’t Met You Yet”, which has sold over 7 million copies worldwide. He has 8 arrangements in total on Michael Bublé records. He has contributed to and/or produced recent albums by Marc Jordan, The Tenors, Ma Dusk, David Clayton-Thomas, June Garber, John Finley, Barbra Lica and many more.
Track Listing:
1. Come Together feat. Marc Jordan & Robyn Black (John Lennon / Paul McCartney) 06:30
The first single of the album, released on Feb 18th, 2022. As divisive protests over the pandemic percolate around the world, this classic Beatles anthem, slowed, stripped down and bathed in jazz serves to unite us with it’s luminary lyric delivered by one of Canada’s great singer-songwriters, Marc Jordan. Joining Jordan in a perfect pairing, Pomanti presents the recording debut of up and coming vocalist Robyn Black.
2. Your Mind Is on Vaca on feat. David Clayton-Thomas & John Finley (Mose Allison) 03:07
Both legendary singers, David Clayton-Thomas of Blood Sweat & Tears and John Finley of Rhinoceros have had records produced by Lou Pomanti. They’ve been pals since the 1960s, both playing Toronto’s Yorkville and Yonge Street scenes as “David Clayton-Thomas & The Shays” and “Jon & Lee & The Checkmates”. Pomanti produced and arranged “Soul Ballads” (DCT) for Universal Music (2015), and the debut solo album for John Finley “Soul Singer” (2021). This classic Mose Allison tune is the second single from the album. The friendship is palpable between the two in this cheeky duet with a classic Lou Pomanti big band arrangement.
3. 2001: A Space Odyssey – Tribute to Deodato (Richard Strauss ) 05:16
2001: A Space Odyssey – Tribute to Deodato 5:16 (R. Strauss)
Originally the fanfare titled “Sunrise” from Richard Strauss’ “Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30”, this piece was first featured in Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Deodato’s 1974 version was featured in the hit film “Being There” starring Peter Sellers, and was awarded the Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental. Pomanti conjures up his own soulful groove for a 21st century arrangement of this timeless classic.
4. Amarte Duele feat. Irene Torres (Natalia Lafourcade) 05:39
“Amarte Duele” (Loving You Hurts), is the fifth single of the album and the title track from the Mexican film “Amar te duele”, composed by Natalia Lafourcade. This lush bossa nova features passionate Peruvian Canadian musician and artist Irene Torres, a rising star who sings the Spanish lyric with passion. Torres is set to release her debut solo album later in 2022.
5. Stoned Soul Picnic feat. Emilie-Claire Barlow & Randy Brecker (Laura Nyro) 04:33
This classic Laura Nyro composition was originally made popular in 1968 by 5th Dimension. It features one of Canada’s great jazz vocalists, Emilie-Claire Barlow and the ten-time Grammy-winning trumpeter, Randy Brecker with a blazing solo. Lou’s arrangement is the perfect soundtrack for a sunny spring day and is the fourth single of the album.
6. Me and Mrs. Jones feat. Oakland Stroke (Carey Gilbert / Kenny Gamble / Leon Huff) 05:40
Pomanti held the keyboard chair for Blood Sweat & Tears for many years and has a deep love for the rock, jazz & soul horn bands of the 70s. Oakland Stroke is Toronto’s premiere 10 piece touring funk juggernaut, led by Pomanti. This is Pomanti’s arrangement of the Philly soul classic and features the voice of Guyanese Canadian soul singer George St. Kitts.
7. A House Is Not a Home feat. Robyn Black (Burt Bacharach / Hal David) 04:16
“Very few singers could pull this off and Robyn is that good,” says Pomanti of Robyn Black. Black has been a busy song writer for international recording artists and now Pomanti aims to lift this incredible vocalist into the limelight on this record with more than one feature. Pomanti will produce Robyn Black’s debut album soon. This Burt Bacharach / Hal David classic is from the 1964 film of the same name and has been sung by many iconic vocalists.
8. Windmills of Your Mind feat. June Garber (Michel Legrand / Alan Bergman / Marilyn Bergman) 03:55
The original version of this Oscar-winning song was featured in the 1968 film “The Thomas Crown Affair”, and was commissioned by the film’s director, Norman Jewison. Music composed by Michel Legrand with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. Lou’s arrangement was inspired by June Garber’s sultry voice. Lou produced and arranged June Garber’s album “Off the Carousel”.
9. What Remains (Lou Poman) 03:53
Pomanti challenged himself to write, perform, record, sing and mix a song in one day. “What Remains” is the story of the relationship with the love of his life, wife of 20 plus years, Canadian actress Kim Nelles. A timeless piano ballad sung beautifully by Pomanti, whose voice we don’t hear enough.
10. Déjà Vu feat. Dione Taylor (Lou Poman / Dione Taylor) 04:14
Celebrated Jamaican Canadian vocalist Dione Taylor has performed for President Bush, Queen Elizabeth II and Joni Mitchell. The albums only co-write, Pomanti and Taylor had a ton of fun writing this smooth R’n’B love song.
11. Money Love feat. John Finley (John Finley / Danny Weis) 04:21
This track was originally released on the debut solo recording from Canadian soul singer John Finley, produced by Pomanti. Money Love features a funk-chill groove that was created with John’s old Rhinoceros pal, guitarist Danny Weis and combines a bluesy melody with a human message. Finley celebrates his 77th birthday in 2022 and has never sounded better.
12. Slow Hot Wind (Lujon) feat. Marc Jordan (Henry Mancini / Norman Gimbel) 03:38
Jordan is one Canada’s most prolific songwriters having penned songs recorded by Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, Manhattan Transfer and Josh Groban. Jordan’s solo career took off in 1978 with his hit “Marina Del Rey”. Jordan’s iconic voice and Norman Gimbel’s poetic lyrics float over Pomanti’s lush string arrangement of this classic exotic soundscape composed by the great Henry Mancini.
13. The Nearness of You feat. Ma Dusk (H. Carmichael / N. Washington) 05:16
Classic Canadian crooner Matt Dusk tours globally and has sold more than a million records. Having worked together on multiple albums, Pomanti decided to do something a little different this time around. In the vein of Verve Remixed, Matt sings this romanticHoagy Carmichael classic over a very chill modern groove, with drum programming by Pomanti’s son Sam.
14. Father and Son feat. Sam Poman (Yusuf Islam Cat Stevens) 04:12
Featured on this song is Pomanti’s son Sam, a young musician on the rise, who also plays keyboards, sings, and is a budding producer. Chip off the old block you might say, and as a father Lou could not be prouder. This song by Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) is a tribute to the joys of fatherhood and the legacy of passing music from parent to child. Like Father, like son both featured here in this lovely and tender instrumental.
Personnel:
Lou Pomanti: keyboards, vocals
Steve Heathcote: drums (2, 3, 5, 6, & 8)
Larnell Lewis: drums (10)
Davide Direnzo: drums (11)
Marc Rogers: bass (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, & 11)
Scott Alexander: bass (2)
Jake Langley: guitar (13)
Lou Bartolomucci: guitar (6)
KC Roberts: guitar (5)
Jus n Abedin: guitar (10)
Sam Poman: guitar (3)
Danny Wies: guitar (11)
Drew Jurecka: violin & viola (1, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12)
Blair Lofgren: cello (1)
Prague Smecky Orchestra: strings (7)
Randy Brecker: trumpet (5)
Tony Carlucci: trumpet (2 [Lead], 3, 6 & 12)
Chris Howells: trumpet (6)
Jason Logue: trumpet (2)
William Sperandei: trumpet (11)
William Carn: trombone (2, 6)
Robyn Black: background vocals (6)
Kathryn Rose: background vocals (11)
Bill McBirnie: flute (4)
John Johnson: tenor saxophone (6, solo)
Steve MacDonald: tenor saxophone (2, solo)
John Panchyshyn: tenor saxophone (6)
Simon Wallis: baritone saxophone (6)
Produced, arranged and mixed by Lou Poman except track 10 mixed by Jeff Wolpert
Engineered by Lou Poman with additional engineering by Steve Heathcote, Marc Rogers, Jake Langley, Drew Jurecka, Ada Rova, William Carn, & Jeff Wolpert.
Mastered by João Carvalho
All keyboards and programming by Lou Poman
Review:
We should all have such friends! Lou Pomanti has been a first-call guy, keyboard master, arranger and bandleader in Toronto for years. Here, he’s joined by a stunning lineup of jazz and soul greats including Emilie-Claire Barlow, Randy Brecker, Larnell Lewis and Oakland Stroke. Among the highlights is a dazzling take on Mose Allison’s Your Mind is on Vacation with David Clayton-Thomas and John Finley. Spin this release and you won’t stop smiling.
David Basskin (JAZZ.FM91)
