The New Cool

by Bob James, Nathan East

Overview

Recorded in five studios in Nashville and nearby Franklin, Tennessee, The New Cool is something of a follow-up to Nathan East's self-titled 2014 album, though it's billed to the bassist and his fellow Fourplay member, Bob James. Like Nathan East, The New Cool is a Yamaha release. The label wing of the manufacturer also supplied the duo with instruments and enabled them to make this predominantly acoustic set of eight originals and three interpretations. Drummer Scott Williamson, percussionist Rafael Padilla, and an orchestra -- with David Davidson as concertmaster -- are all involved, yet they're employed sparingly and leave the spotlight to East and James. The album sounds like it was easy and fun to make -- one can sense joy and deep focus in the interplay -- as the material is predominantly amiable and laid-back. It's almost entirely instrumental, with East adding some occasional soft scatting, while Vince Gill drops by for the lone "proper" vocal inclusion on an elegant recasting of Willie Nelson's "Crazy." Just when it seems as if The New Cool will end as it began, in sunny and mellow form, the closing "Turbulence" develops into what's easily the album's most active cut. Composer James lets loose with some athletic electric piano, East's bass is at its taut and melodic best, and Williamson, known most for his work on contemporary country and Christian sessions, shows that he can also hang with two crucial jazz rhythm-section dignitaries. This is a pleasant, if inessential, addition to the catalogs of the two musicians. ~ Andy Kellman

Product Details

Release Date:	02/26/2016
Label:	Concord
UPC:	0888072390089

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bob James   Primary Artist,Piano,Keyboards
Nathan East   Primary Artist,Bass,Vocals
David Davidson   Orchestra
Jim Grosjean   Orchestra
Mary Kathryn Van Osdale   Orchestra
Vince Gill   Featured Artist
Scott Williamson   Drums
Karen Winkelmann   Orchestra
David Angell   Orchestra
Monisa Angell   Orchestra
Anthony LaMarchina   Orchestra
Rafael Padilla   Percussion
Beth Beeson   Orchestra
Julia Tanner   Orchestra
Carolyn Wann Bailey   Orchestra
James Button   Orchestra
Erin Hall   Orchestra
Janet Darnall   Orchestra
Erik Gratton   Orchestra
Bryce Roberts   Orchestra
Ali Gooding Hoffman   Orchestra
Dale Dudley   Orchestra
James Lotz   Orchestra
James Zimmermann   Orchestra
Nicholas Keith   Orchestra
Robert James   Orchestra
Sarghani Reist   Orchestra
Kristin Wilkinson   Orchestra
Alan Umstead   Orchestra
Elizabeth Lamb   Orchestra
Harry Ditzel   Orchestra
Lendell Black   Orchestra
Conni Ellisor   Orchestra
Laura Ann Ross   Orchestra
Craig E. Nelson   Orchestra

Technical Credits

Nathan East   Composer,Producer
Ned Washington   Composer
Willie Nelson   Composer
Bryan Lenox   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Harold Adamson   Composer
Jimmy McHugh   Composer
Jeff Babko   Composer
Victor Young   Composer
Christopher Wilkinson   Assistant Engineer
Jasper Lemaster   Assistant Engineer
Austin Atwood   Assistant Engineer
Amy Fucci   Design
Chris Gero   Producer
Sean R. Badum   Assistant Engineer
Debbie Johnson   Personal Assistant
Henry Somero   Personal Manager
Sterling Koerpel   Coordination
Bernie Grundman   Mastering
Bob James   Composer,Producer
Bing Crosby   Composer
Irving Berlin   Composer
Antonio "Moogie" Canazio   Assistant Engineer
Alysse Gafkjen   Photography