Allison Adams Tucker, RETRO Trilogy Review

Allison Adams Tucker, a gifted singer, and songwriter with an expansive musical vision, is pushing the boundaries of jazz with her rich and varied musical palette, drawing from her experiences and influences across genres and decades. Her approach to the Great American Songbook encompasses not only the classic repertoire but also sees the catalog as a living entity, continually growing and evolving.

Tucker’s latest offering, RETRO Trilogy, is a testament to this. The project, comprising three EPs and ultimately forming a full album, is an ambitious journey through popular music from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Each EP revisits a different decade, with six tracks each. The album was released incrementally, with each EP debuted monthly, and the whole collection was released digitally and physically. Produced by Matt Pierson and recorded in the iconic Sear Sound in New York City, RETRO Trilogy is a musical voyage that merges past and present, reinterpreting popular tunes through a fresh jazz lens.

With a hefty fifteen-song track list, Tucker showcases her versatility and creativity as she reinterprets songs from an array of artists, ranging from Queen and Cat Stevens to Beck and Massive Attack. This broad spectrum of artists reveals Tucker’s diverse musical tastes and talent for weaving disparate threads into a cohesive and captivating tapestry.

The reinterpretation of these classics is made possible through innovative jazz arrangements crafted by a unique team of arrangers – Danny Green, Josh Nelson, Kevin Hays, Peter Sprague, and Yotam Silberstein. Each arrangement offers a unique spin, preserving the essence of the original pieces while introducing new harmonic landscapes and rhythmic nuances.

Tucker is accompanied by an ensemble of skilled musicians who bring their styles and expertise to the project. Kevin Hays’ piano and Fender Rhodes, Tony Scherr’s bass and guitar, Kenny Wollesen’s drums and vibraphone, Yotam Silberstein’s and Peter Sprague’s guitars, and Bashiri Johnson’s percussion all contribute to a rich and varied sonic landscape.

From the onset, “The Wind” pulls the listener in with its ebullient waltz tempo and strong contemporary jazz underpinning. Tucker’s vocals gracefully hover above the mix, punctuated by beautiful non-lyric vocal melodies. “You’re My Best Friend” evolves through layered vocal harmonies supported by an intelligent arrangement. Finally, in “Wonderland,” a vibrant tapestry of vocal harmonies and counterpoints unfold over a rich groove marked by jazz and world music elements.

“Woman in Chains” continues this fusion of jazz and world beats. The track creates an immersive soundscape with a balanced blend of male and female vocals. Tucker’s voice emanates warmth, displaying an impressive range and solid pitch, particularly noticeable in the complex vocal harmonies.

While her style may not be confined to a conventional swing feel, Tucker’s mastery of jazz technique and embellishments is undeniable. Her timbre is perfectly tailored to the songs, being perfectly tailored for a contemporary jazz sound. In addition, Tucker’s unique vocal stylings bring a new level of depth to each track, demonstrating the potential of the jazz idiom to constantly evolve and adapt past the much-loved swing eight feel.

Each RETRO Trilogy piece is a distinctive interpretation, providing a unique perspective on beloved songs. Despite the diversity of the material, the album maintains a cohesive feel, reflecting Tucker’s artistic vision and meticulous attention to detail. From intimate ballads to high-energy pop anthems, Tucker’s soulful voice glides over the intricate arrangements, inviting listeners to experience familiar songs in new and unexpected ways.

In RETRO Trilogy, Allison Adams Tucker skillfully maneuvers the crossroads of nostalgia and innovation, revisiting her musical roots while pushing jazz into uncharted territories. Her vision for an evolving Great American Songbook shines throughout the project, demonstrating that the future of jazz lies in the hands of artists willing to take risks and forge new paths. As a homage to the past and a beacon for the future, RETRO Trilogy testifies to Tucker’s exceptional musical capabilities and unwavering dedication to her art.