Alto saxist Charles McPherson is one of the last living links to a jazz era that is sadly fading away. Born in Joplin, MO, he was weaned on the bebop of the locale, namely Charlie Parker and the swing of Count Basie, both of which came from good old Kansas City. From there, he moved to Detroit and teamed up with icon Charles Mingus to be in one of the last important Mingus bands before going out on his own as one of the carriers of the bopping flame. This album with Keith Oxman/ts, Chip Stephens/p, Ken Walker/b and Todd Reid/dr is a testament to the timelessness of what was called “mainstream” jazz, and is what is missing in this day of technical prowess at the expense of heartfelt expression.
McPherson has a fun and joyful howl to his alto, and shines on fingersnappers ranging from the mid tempo “Decathexis From Youth” to the frenzied and fun “Bud Like.” The rhythm team sizzles like a T-Bone on the crisp start and stopping read of “Spring Is Here” and snaps like a leather whip on the sharp as key lime pie “Au Privave.” Tenor saxist Oxman has a Coltrane tone to his ballad “Elena” and gets into a hip groove on “Tami’s Tune,” but nothing, and I mean NOTHING comes close to McPherson delivering a Puccini-lilke aria on the dream duet with Stephens on “I Should Care.” This is where feeling and prowess reach together at the apotheosis of jazz. Here is what all artists should strive for. What are you waiting for? See him before it’s too late!
Capri Records