Not too big, not too small…
Best known for his work with McCoy Tyner, bassist Avery Sharpe has built up an impressive catalogue of his own, usually creating albums based on a certain theme. This time around he puts together an album that looks for solutions for todays problems by reaching back to messages from his church days. Along with Zaccai Curtis/b, Yoron Israel/dr and Tony Vacca/perc, Sharpe juxtaposes a string quartet along with guest vocals by Wanda Rivera to create a message of peace and reconciliation. The mix of strings and Afro Cuban pulses works marvelously, as on “My Friend, Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help”, and Sharpe shines on his feature ”World Love”. He gives a Sunday Morning gospel feel to “Trust” with Rivera testifying on “A Little Prayer For Mom”, while the message behind “The Good Samaritan” is as timely now as it was 2000 years ago. The Bible on bass.
Bassist Bruno Raberg brings together a tentet of reeds/brass and rhythm along with guests Kris Davis/p and Walter Smith III/ts on this collection of originals. The main focus is a four part “Echoes Suite” that includes some quirky jabs on “III” alongside Smith’s soloing and some blue hues on “”IVI”. Davis’ piano is dreamy on “ Sunday” with Gen Yoshimura’s cymbals leading the pace on the chambered “ Peripeteia” and thickly fluid “M ode Natakapriya”. Rich textures pureed.