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