Caelan Cardello – Chapter One

Caelan Cardello Chapter One on 180g LP: Lacquers Cut by Mastering Engineer Dave McNair, Pressed at Quality Record Pressings

Caelan Cardello's exciting new Jazz Bird/Liam Records release Chapter One had audiences from the recent Warsaw Audio Video Show to the Capital Audiofest applauding as if Caelan and his trio were playing live instead of on 180g vinyl.

Musically, Caelan's studio set debut is nothing like the now sold-out Rufus Reid Presents Caelan Cardello (Liam Records ARF-1) a live recording of elegantly performed jazz standards that goes down smoothly, like well-aged Scotch.

On this often-raucous studio set, the young jazz pianist backed by bassist Jonathon Muir-Cotton and power house drummer Domo Branch tears through a set of mostly Caelan original compositions - some at start-and-stop breakneck speed - while others have a more contemplative feel.

Tenor saxophonist Chris Lewis adds some soulful touches on the side 2 opener "Don't Look Back." The group delivers an elegant take on Cole Porter's "All of You" and pays tribute to Cedar Walton, one of Caelan's keyboard heroes, on the "racecourse-ready" nimbly delivered, exuberant "Groundwork."

In an album of highlights, the high point may well be Caelan's virtuosic solo piano rendition of Thelonious Monk's "Ask Me Now" exclusively available on this vinyl edition.

The streaming sound is clean, present, dynamic and well-focused, but this vinyl edition mastered with lacquers cut by mastering engineer and Tracking Angle contributor Dave McNair takes the digitally recorded album to another sonic level.

Chapter One was plated and pressed on 180g vinyl at Quality Record Pressings in Salina, KS and is packaged in a Stoughton Printing deluxe "Tip On" jacket.

I am so proud to present Caelan Cardello's Chapter One to vinyl fans in this high quality pressing and packaging presentation. - Michael Fremer, editor, TrackingAngle.com

"When somebody's 'got it'...you know...instantly! Caelan Cardello's 'got it'...all of it: heart, brains, dimension, drama, imagination, taste, time, spirit, blues, nuance, virtuosity, variety, and personality. He communicates directly from the piano, telling his story, with optimism and depth, intelligence and passion. Caelan Cardello has arrived!" - Bill Charlap