💿 ALBUM REVIEW: Jeff Rupert Quartet - Sea Spell
The Jeff Rupert Quartet stands as one of modern jazz’s most reliable forces for elegant, deeply swinging acoustic interplay. Guided by acclaimed tenor saxophonist and educator Jeff Rupert, the ensemble has spent decades perfecting a sound that honors classic post-bop traditions while introducing a highly polished, contemporary edge. Rupert’s robust, lyrical tone—reminiscent of masters like Stan Getz and Dexter Gordon—serves as the emotional anchor for an exceptionally tight rhythm section featuring pianist Richard Drexler, bassist Ben Kramer, and legendary drummer Marty Morell, a percussionist renowned for his iconic tenure with the Bill Evans Trio. Together, they approach jazz as a sophisticated conversation, prioritizing emotional depth, melodic clarity, and a flawless collective groove over avant-garde experimentation or sheer technical athletics. Across a celebrated discography that includes acclaimed releases like En Bop and Imagination, the group has continuously proven their mastery over the standard songbook and soulful original themes. With their latest studio offering, Sea Spell, the quartet sounds more unified than ever, translating a profound oceanic mystique into a mesmerizing set of high-tier acoustic jazz.
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The album opens with Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most, a beautifully illustrated standard showcasing Jeff Rupert’s lush sax tone and phrasing. With Marty Morell on drums and Ben Kramer on bass and certainly Richard Drexler who really cruises into the Latin feel on piano this track, gets legs. With a Desmond or Getz feel, this track is a solid opener. On Mambo Inn, Rupert rides high on the drum work of Morell and he really swings. A master of his craft, his fingers are fleet and his syncopation spot on. A lively solo by Drexler really gives the track a bright swat making it one of my favorites on the release.
Rupert original, Look Who's Calling, has a shuffle feel that plays again into Drexler's hand giving Rupert a great foil to play off of. His soloing behind the beat is terrific and the band backing off so Kramer can lead the way is really smart. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Wednesday's News, a super shuffle giving Rupert a clean slate and he riffs nicely just behind the beat held crisply by Morell and Drexler. I do like when Drexler steps up, his piano a perfect counterpoint to the thickness of Rupert's tone. Strong closer for a cool release.
📋 Album Credits & Production Info Click to Expand
- Album Title: Sea Spell
- Artist: Jeff Rupert Quartet
- Record Label: Rupe Media
- Release Date: June 25, 2026
- Personnel: Jeff Rupert (Tenor Saxophone), Richard Drexler (Piano), Ben Kramer (Bass), Marty Morell (Drums)
- Recording Location: Van Gelder Studios (Englewood Cliffs, NJ)
- Production Notes: Recorded on March 22, 2022; Mixed July 23–24, 2023
🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Click to Expand
Featured Personnel & Special Guests: Jeff Rupert (Tenor Saxophone), Richard Drexler (Piano), Ben Kramer (Bass), Marty Morell (Drums), and Michiko Morell (Congas on Track 3).
- Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most
- Blue Steel
- Mambo Inn
- Sea Spell
- Look Who's Calling
- Polka Dots and Moonbeams
- A Breeze Through the Keys
- Orca-Stration
- Wednesday's News
🎵 Discography & Purchase Options Click to Expand
This record highlights an effortless collective groove featuring a relaxed horn over a tight, intuitive rhythm section. The band transitions smoothly from syncopated pulses to easy shuffles, allowing the keys to provide a nimble contrast before concluding with a soulful finale.
Bman's VerdictThe pocket stays steady, allowing Rupert and Drexler to step out front and deliver brilliant solos without tilting the band’s perfect balance. |
Label: Rupe Media Released: June 26, 2026 |
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