Lisa Hilton: Lucky All Along

Another Lisa Hilton album, and for many the world seems a better place. Lucky All Along is the pianist's 30th release, proving that it can take a long time to be considered a jazz success story. Her blend of jazz, Latin, pop and blues means she counts the number of plays on streaming services in the millions and her albums bother the top of those charts which count radio plays and numbers of downloads. She is not considered particularly hip or one of those artists who has expressed a desire to break down perceived musical barriers. She just does what she does and she does it amazingly well, garnering broad appeal.

She is joined by the members of her perfectly-matched long-time trio: bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Rudy Royston. They seem to have a default setting that enables them to seamlessly take any song into a Latin rhythm using a minimal number of notes. Their ability to change gear and rhythms makes them a most agile trio. They are joined by trumpeter Igmar Thomas as they traverse eight original compositions and three cover versions.

The piano introduction of the opening track, "Little Beach Mornings," leads to a slowly unfolding melody that develops into cascading right-hand runs underpinned by a Latin-hued rhythm as the tempo increases in this beautifully constructed track. Those Latin rhythms also come strongly to the fore in the flowing melodies of "Escapist Fantasy" and "Starry, Starry Eyes."

Hilton's band have a much broader harmonic palette than pretty melodies and Latin rhythms. "And Some Blues" has swing, gospel hues and terrific trumpet work from Thomas. The title track is a happy and uplifting country-tinged jaunt with piano and trumpet swapping melodic and catchy leads. While the lovely "Big Sur Views" is an impressionistic solo piano reflection with classical influences.

There are three covers, all interesting choices. "All Blues" from Miles Davis' Kind of Blue (Columbia Records, 1959) is fun and gives space for them all to stretch out, especially the earthy trumpet from Thomas. The pop-rap ballad "See You Again" from the 2015 film Furious 7 was a massive hit for Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth. Following the trumpet introduction, it is stripped of its multiple vocal layers and the tune is allowed to shine and becomes an anthemic and refined slow ballad about loss. The third cover, "Snow on the Beach," was written by Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey and Jack Antonoff for Taylor's Midnights (Republic) album in 2022. The trio takes the original pop song structure and subtly slows and bends it to bring out the dreamlike beauty.

Hilton often plays with a Steve Reich-like minimalism and seems to achieve a lot with few notes. She gives her exemplary quartet freedom and space to explore and they all have well-deserved expressive moments in the spotlight. The relaxed charm of this album offers joyful moments and memorable melodies. With a high feel-good factor and a catchy balance of cool jazz, blues and pop, this album is easy to recommend and it should find broad appeal amongst jazz fans and those who want to find out more.

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