Not too many jazz albums are inspired by the deserts of the South Western States, but Brian Booth/sax-fl and Kevin Stgout/tb-g give it an impressive go here. They lead a swinging bop team of Joey Singer/p, Tom Warrington/b, John Abraham/dr and JoBelle Yonely/voc on a Baker’s Dozen selection of originals.
These guys sound like a modern version of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers: assertive, exciting and unafraid to hit hard but still keep the harmonies interesting and attractive. The horns blend well on the textured “Anne of Coral Canyon” while the rhythm gets gurgling like a volcano on “Hoodo Voodo.” The team can also go soft, as on “Weeping Rock” with Yonely’s lonely voice and Booth’s soprano sax, and Singer displays his piano charms on the gentle solo “San Rafael Swell Reprise.” The straightahead horns work well on”Panorama Point” and “ Aquarius Plateau” which both feature the hip rhythm team, while Stout’s ‘bone delivers the goods. Excellent round for Blue Note fans from Way Out West.
Jazzed5 Records