Matt "Mr Kurt Elling" should be the term we use for Kurt these days and the only evidence required for his rise in stature is not because he won "Downbeat" or "Jazz Journalists", and "Jazz Times" jazz vocalist for 2010, the reason is this new album that has just been released by Kurt under the title,"The Gate" which has put him into double figures being his tenth album. Maturity and professionalism are the components behind the the talent of Kurt today and his wonderful partner "Laurence Hobgood" who can play piano with the best going around in Jazz today and actually does have a few albums of his own but the majority has been with Kurt stretching back to the very begining of his career with "Close Your Eyes". "Don Was" the super producer is doing just that with his effort behind the scenes bringing a wonderful sound to the production and even doing a little contributing to the arranging which primarily is done by Laurence and Kurt on "The Gate". There are a few talents behind Kurt with the album and "John Patitucci" who is doing bass duties is the absolute standout with his contribution which some beautiful touch and depth. He has played with everybody just about in the music industry. Another who has been around the block is "Bob Mintzer" who is doing tenor saxophone duties and we also have another seasoned artist with "John McClean" on guitar. "Terreon Gully" and "Kobie Watkins", more big names, are doing drums on respective tunes and we have the studio master who really has played with everbody doing his percussion,"Lenny Castro" and of course with his beautiful touch and technique "Laurence Hobgood" tickling the ivories.The selection of songs are another high point with more contempary tunes being performed and not just the standards."King Crimson","Joe Jackson","Lennon McCartney" and "Stevie Wonder" are some but we still get some classic material with Kurts take on "Duke Ellington" in "Nighttown Lady Bright" and "Miles Davis" with "Blue In Green".

"Matte Kudasai" the King Crimson song is first with Kurt saying that they pretty much did it with one take and John Patitucci took the lead first in with bass and Terreon came in on drums and everybody followed in with one great spontaneous result and isn't that what Jazz is all about. "Steppin' Out" by "Joe Jackson" follows which is arranged solely by Laurence which he says on the album notes that it was the trumpetor "Nicholas Payton's" arrangement. Performed a little slower than Joe's original version but with a great result by Kurt on vocals and a simply beautiful solo from Laurence on piano.The "Lennon McCartney" song "Norwegian Wood" has been a real little grower as it only gets better with each play as this whole album does. One great chunky guitar solo by "John McClean" and that bass of John Patituci providing a warm thump into it but never overtaking the sound." Blue In Green" the "Miles Davis" composition with the lyrics written by "Al Jarreau" is just another laid back stunner and Laurence on piano does it again.The following "Samurai Cowboy" is more like Kurt of old with a great beat feel to the tune and Bob's sax and John's bass giving some great backing to Kurts vocal delivery. The "Stevie Wonder song "Golden Lady" is given the Kurt stamp and some great scat near the end with one great sax solo from Bob.The closer is "Nighttown Lady Bright" with the words by the Duke himself with Kurt additions and is a take on a jazz musicians life and a wonderful way to close the album.

This album is a grower and is one where you will hear new things for many plays, all of Kurt's vocal styles are here, you just have to listen and every time I hear this gorgeous jazz vocal album it only gets better.I am betting Kurt wins again this year with all the Polls.

Matt "Hello is that Kurt Elling","yes","Well this is Bruce Lundvall from Blue Note Records! I have your tape playing right now in my car.I got it from Bill Traut (manager).Listen its playing right now! He holds the phone out for Kurt to hear to which Kurt replies "Cool" Bruce replies"You're Darn right it's cool" and Kurt Elling was signed to Blue Note records where he commenced work on his debut "Close Your Eyes" (Excerpt of phone conversation taken from Kurt Ellings writing on kurtelling.com).

Kurt Elling meet up with Laurence Hopgood in Chicago in 1995 and a musical partnership was created that still exists to today as when one listens to anything that Kurt does Laurence Hobgood the pianist is an integral part in the creation of Kurt Ellings own distinct approach to Jazz Vocals.Contained within this album you will hear scat,beat poetry, beautiful straight vocals and any other gymnastics that can be done with jazz vocal. Not only that Laurence Hobgood is one superb pianist with a beautiful touch. Paul Wertico is the drummer and there is a mix of various muscians contributing here and there on the album.

The album gets underway with "Close Your Eyes" (1933 was the original),not a Kurt composition but one given his touch. "Laurence Hobgood" provides a great solo as the bassist does "Eric Hochberg".The tune keeps the original structure but stretched out with the solos and then Kurt returns with his Scat to finish off which returns with the lyrics. Track 2 is the "Wayne Shorter" composition given the Elling treatment and a delight it is with the scat sung by Kurt. Next up is "The Ballad of The Sad Young Men which could really be described as a Standard and of course sung superbly.Track 5 "Married Blues starts with beat poetry and sprinklings of percussion,bass and piano notes but does not quite gel for me as the next "Storyteller experiencing total Confusion".Track 7 "Never Can Say Goodbye a Kurt Elling and Laurence Hobgood composition is by far my favourite within the album and was actually used on a sampler Blue Note released many moons back.We also get a "Rodgers and Hart","Wait Till You See Her". Thirteen tracks in all and this reviewer is lucky enough to be lookin' at Kurt's autograph on the cover when I grabbed him back in October 1998.He did ask about his current new one at the time but my reply was "but this ones great". He signed and we had a chat.

One has to remember that this a debut and reading off Kurt's own notes he says himself that he feels he could have done better. I know one thing myself although not perfect this is one outstanding effort for a debut and an album I will treasure and yes I would still ask for Kurt's signature on the cover of this one. Nothing to be dissapointed with here.