"In sometimes startlingly deconstructionist mode, Lahm captures [Mitchell's] musical and emotional complexity." - JazzTimes

Arkadia Jazz is pleased to announce the release of a second volume of pianist / composer DAVID LAHM's unique interpretations of singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell's music, More Jazz Takes on Joni Mitchell. Lahm's first album of Mitchell covers featured a revolving cast of players and was praised in Jazz Times as being both "reverent and adventurous." This time around, Lahm has assembled a core rhythm section of bassist Ratso Harris and drummer Ron Vincent (who appeared on the first volume) to propel front line saxophonists Vincent Herring and Roger Rosenberg and trumpeter Randy Brecker. Although the instrumentation is more consistent than on volume one, the album is no less diverse in its approaches to Mitchell's evocative folk-rock songs, as well as several Lahm originals. The band develops a close rapport that makes the album both intimate and daring.

Lahm's genre-crossing insights into Mitchell's music yield a rich and varied album. Herring's alto recalls Mitchell's own vocal phrasing on "Don Juan's Restless Daughter" while Brecker, another first volume alumnus, brings to mind the smoldering passion of her delivery. "Woodstock" and "Black Crow" are taken as hard-driving minor blues swingers that feature some of the album's hottest playing from the saxophonists. Rosenberg's deep-toned baritone sax envelops Mitchell's "Off Night Back Street" in a pensive, after-hours blues. "The Silky Veils of Ardor," played over a slinky, Middle Eastern-flavored beat, features Brecker's intensely lyrical flugelhorn. The leader reharmonizes and re-imagines "Ladies of the Canyon" in a solo version that nevertheless remains true to Mitchell's original.

Lahm's own compositions represent mainstream jazz at its best, with strong melodies and chord changes, and inventive arrangements that provide creative challenges for the soloists. "San Diego Holiday" showcases the horns and bassist Harris in individual solos, trading fours, and collectively blowing. "Walk This Way," a brisk swinger featuring a steady flow of ideas from Herring and Brecker, includes a drum solo after each horn player, interestingly breaking up the usual status quo soloist order. The Brazilian flavored "Vibeca" includes a dazzling solo from Harris and features Brecker playfully toying with the beat in his delightfully varied solo.

As a pianist, Lahm draws on his experience as a vocal accompanist and big-band keyboardist with Buddy Rich to offer supportive power behind the soloists. Throughout the album his comping displays a rich harmonic imagination and rhythmic incisiveness that inspires the soloists and locks in with his rhythm-section-mates to generate an exciting, hard swinging foundation for the music. It seems as if he might exhaust Mitchell's catalog of songs before he exhausts his own ability to renew and reinterpret the conventions of mainstream jazz.

A full-service label started in 1997 by Bob Karcy, Arkadia Jazz has earned four Grammy nominations (the most of any independent label in the jazz category) and acclaim as "The Artists' Choice." "Arkadia is a new label whose recordings to date have been meticulous, high-quality productions with focus and purpose" Thomas Conrad, Stereophile. The label has released CD's by Billy Taylor, David Liebman and Joanne Brackeen (both Grammy nominees on Arkadia Jazz), T.K. Blue, Mary Pearson, Benny Golson (also nominated for a Grammy), Kenny Drew Jr. and David Lahm, among others. The twice Grammy-nominated "Thank You" series includes tributes to John Coltrane, Gerry Mulligan, Duke Ellington and Joe Henderson. In June of 1999, Arkadia acquired the esteemed Postcards label, and is expanding its catalog into the world and classical music areas. Postcards (www.postcardsrecords.com) new releases are classical pianist Lara Downes, bassist Joris Teepe with Don Braden and Chris Potter, and percussionist/ethnomusicologist Royal Hartigan.

Arkadia Jazz is a label of Arkadia Entertainment, a natural extension of V.I.E.W. Video (www.view.com) founded by Karcy 17 years ago. V.I.E.W. is widely acknowledged to be the premiere home video producer and label in jazz, performing arts (opera, dance and classical music) and special interest (documentary, parenting, sports, health & fitness) with a catalog in excess of 200 titles that have been honored with over 100 prestigious international awards. For consumers who would like the name of the nearest retailer, or to receive a catalog, call toll-free, 1-888-ARKADIA. www.arkadiarecords.com.