from JazzReview.com

This recording is just a good old-fashioned blowing session. Seven of the straight-ahead tunes are originals by members of the group, with the only standard being Billy Strayhorn’s “A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing.” All of the music is in the hard-bop and post-bop jazz language, and all of the members of the ensemble are accomplished musicians in their own right. Johnson and Bishop, who have worked together frequently, have a real simpatico relationship. You can tell that just by the slightest nod of the head or rhythmic figuration they are able to change feel on a dime. Their actions are always in coordination with each other, and instantaneous. They exhibit this most especially on “Portrait” and “Doop Dee Doop.”

Anschell can be a fiery pianist, as on his own self-penned “Turbulator,” as well as be commanding when laying back and just playing in the groove. Jensen, who plays just soprano on this recording, sometimes will thin his sound for effect, as on “Turbulator,” or play with a warm reedy sound full of thick overtones, as on “Stories We Hold.”

If there is a flaw with this recording, and this is a minor one, is that the compositions don’t show off the abilities of the group to the fullest extent possible. While one wouldn’t want to hear these incredible musicians just play standards, perhaps ripping up some thicker harmonic material and neglected chestnuts by Duke Pearson, as well as others, might play perfectly into their hands. That small negativism aside, this group plays with a heart and soul lacking in many working jazz bands.

Category:
Review, Seattle Jazz