For those not in the know, New York saxophonist Vito Dieterle - who has owned and operated The Django, Silver Lining and Little Branch jazz clubs - has brought together a small ensemble to bring forth a large jazz sound that is rather befitting of any cocktail hour that you yourselves might now find self-isolating within.

Featuring Vito on tenor saxophone and Joel Forrester on piano, Status Sphere (released this past March 1st, 2020 via Ride Symbol Records) celebrates Thelonious Monk, in bringing us six tunes by Monk and five originals; that evoke the spirit of the great man.

1. 'Work' (4:08)
2. 'Crepuscle With Nellie' (7:27)
3. 'Mock Time' (3:37)
4. 'Ruby My Dear' (6:36)
5. 'Requiem For Anthony' (5:36)
6. 'Let’s Call This' (4:09)
7. 'About Françoise' (4:33)
8. 'Pannonica' (7:31)
9. 'Ba-Lu-Bolivar Ba-Lues Are' (2:26)
10. 'Don’t Ask Me Now' (3:38)
11. 'The Comeback' (3:14)
12. 'Crepuscle With Nellie (Alternate Take)' (7:28)

Presenting an album that will definitely enhance your isolation mood, it opens with the playful 'Work,' and backs that up with the yearning thoughtfulness of 'Crepuscle With Nellie.'

Next up is the perky 'Mock Time,' with both the one-two elegance of 'Ruby My Dear' and the lush lo-fi sophistication of 'Requiem For Anthony' following.

The upbeat 'Let’s Call This' is followed by the laid back, almost balladeer approach to 'About Françoise,' which is then backed by my own personal favorite on the album, the orchestrated grandeur of 'Pannonica.'

The album then rounds out with the short, but sweet, bubbly sax work of 'Ba-Lu-Bolivar Ba-Lues Are,' their methodical musical play off on 'Don’t Ask Me Now,' the sunny 'The Comeback,' before coming to a close with another shot at 'Crepuscle With Nellie (Alternate Take).'

Amazon Digital Purchase Link

Vito Dieterle @ Twitter

Vito Dieterle @ Facebook

www.joelforrester.com