JAZZ : NEW RELEASES : In Brief
*** Bob Belden, “The Music of Sting,” Blue Note. Using Sting’s music as the basis for a jazz album is a good idea. Belden’s charts for ensembles are first-rate blendings of superb material and beautifully crafted arrangements. Among the best moments are the instrumentals “They Dance Alone” and “Dream of the Blue Turtles,” on which Rick Margitza, Joey Calderazzo, Bobby Watson and John Scofield are among the soloists. There are also impressive vocals from Dianne Reeves on “Wrapped Around Your Finger,” Phil Perry on “Sister Moon” and Mark Ledford on “Every Breath You Take.”
New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to four (excellent). A rating of five stars is reserved for classic reissues or retrospectives.
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