These two releases are unified in that they both include the warm trumpet of David Smith. The basic instrumentation is only slightly varied, the approaches of the rhythm team make for a major variation of delivery.
Smith leads a band with Dan Pratt/ts-as, Nate Radley/g, Gary Wang/b and Anthony Pinciotti/dr through a series of mostly subtle and flowing originals. Radley’s gentle guitar intros on “Moments” and “Bond” lead to floating grooves and subtle swing that provide a foundation for Smith’s nimbus cloud of a horn. The team sways in a sing/song fashion on “Seven” and there’s a back and forth assertiveness on the minor bluesy bop on “Starr St.” while Smith wafts and wanes over the tinkling ride cymbal on the sleek “Intersection.” Understated yet it puts it’s points across.
Pianist David Cook brings Smith together with the chestnut toned tenor of Ben Wendel along with Matt Clohesy/b and Kendrick Scott. Except for “I Know You Know” which features Shayna Steele’s luminous voice, the tunes tend to percolate at a higher octane than the other disc. The rhythm section is nimble and quick as they allow the horns to jump over the candle stick on “Flower + Hope” and Smith is high on the butane level as Scott is as crisp as Romaine lettice on “Shift.” Cook and Smith deliver a charming duet on “Safe & Sound” and Wendel sighs on “Midwestern” while the leader prances like a ballerina on “80s TV Theme Song.” A bit more on the highs and lows here than the moderate yet still swinign predecessor.
Bju Records