STEPHEN BRAUDE

BIG DIPPER

Independent label

Stephen E. Braude, pianist/composer; Ljubomir “Buba” Stojanovic, keyboards/arranger; Miodrag “Misko” Jovanovic, guitars/arranger; David Rodriguez, producer/arranger; Sarah Thiele, vocals; Jeremy Klewicki, drummer/drum programming; Derek Jones, bass; Ramiro Nasello, trumpet; Charles McNeal, saxophone.

This album represents a musical conversation that outlived two of the musicians who began it. The artist, represented on piano as Stephen Braude, began this project in 2020. Known to friends and collaborators as “The Jazz Philosopher,” Stephen was a composer, a pianist and parapsychologist. That is to say, a researcher uses scientific methods to study alleged psychic and paranormal phenomena, telepathy, clairvoyance and psychokinesis.  Since music is so spiritual and esoteric, this makes perfect sense to me.

Stephen Braude worked with musicians from Belgrade, Serbia on this project.  Years ago, when this journalist was in Belgrade, the country was known as Yugoslavia. Braude’s friend, Buba Stojanovic, a prolific arranger, added his touch arranging on six of these compositions. Unfortunately, before this gifted pianist and arranger could finish his work, Buba Stojanovic passed away.  To the shock of the group, this year Stephen Braude also died. The ensemble, who calls themselves Yamara Band, loved and embraced this music, this project, and the two band members that they have lost. With the support, wisdom and determination of Stephen Braude’s widow, Gina Ruk, the musicians put in motion an effort to complete this album.

David Rodriguez, a 20-time Emmy Award-winner, worked with guitarist Misko Javanovic and other musicians to complete Braude’s existing recording.  The resulting ten original songs showcase Braude’s talent as a composer and his arrangements are expanded upon. His fledgling demo, has become a complete and stunning project.

I love the included wordless vocals of Sarah Thiele. She brings beauty and sensitivity to these arrangements.  Sarah sings like a human horn. Their opening tune and the title of this album, “Big Dipper” is quite melodic and opens with arpeggio piano lines running through space like a spring rainstorm. Then, the percussion and drums change the mood to alternative jazz with a Latin tango rhythm.  I am intrigued! The guitar of Javanovic is so sweet, subtle and intoxicating. The accordion joins in reminds me of Paris.  I believe it’s Stojanovic playing it on his keyboard instrument.  I played this first track two times.

The original music that follows is painted with various genres of jazz including fusion, contemporary, on “Good Grooming” joined by McNeal’s saxophone and a sudden double-timing of this arrangement. The band enters the arms of Bebop, carrying over the catchy melodic phrase from “Big Dipper.” The drums, provided by Jeremy Klewicki, pump a more modern jazz funk into the rhythm section.

“Cable Ready Romance” is ethereal and spacy. It sounds very much like smooth jazz and is quite peaceful, with electronic overdubs that enhance a feeling of well-being.

This project was mastered by six-time Grammy Award winner, Michael Romanowski and two-time Grammy Award winner Steve Fallone.

Stephen Braude and Buba Stojanovic must be smiling down from heaven, because This is a wonderful album.  “Gary’s Tune” grabs the blues by the horns and subdues it with lovely harmonics and a string arrangement that tempers the groove perfectly.  As each tune peels off this project, the music becomes sweeter and sweeter. “Big Dipper” is not simply a posthumous release, but a continuation and completion of what was meant to be a beautiful and inspired production with universal appeal. I hope the Yamara Band continues to work together and grow this legacy.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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