Jane Ira Bloom - Mental Weather (2008) (FLAC) (Bonus MP3)

Mental Weather begins and ends delicately, with Jane Ira Bloom's soprano sax dueting with pianist Dawn Clement, and later standing alone, playing the standard “This Nearly Was Mine” following an original rumination. In both situations, Bloom's engaging tone and sense of lyricism come across in the first few notes, which indicates why she has been such a highly regarded and lauded musician. And whether the album sticks to that subdued approach or amps things up a bit, the performance keeps the interest level high.

Twenty-eight years after her first album as a leader, Jane Ira Bloom has produced what may be her crowning achievement. If you're curious about the music of this unjustly overlooked maestro of soprano saxophone and expressive jazz, the place to start is at the present. Mental Weather will tell you most everything you need to know about what is great about Bloom.

Tracklist
01. A More Beautiful Question (5:33)
02. Ready for Anything (6:15)
03. Multiple Choice (6:19)
04. Mental Weather (4:26)
05. Luminous Bridges (5:18)
06. Electrochemistry (3:55)
07. Cello on the Inside (5:57)
08. What to Wear: I. Activewear/II. Easy Knit/III. The Reasons for Returns/IV. Clothes That Question (7:15)
09. First Thoughts/This Nearly Was Mine (3:33)

Bonus MP3
10. Mental Weather (MP3 Mix)