Ralph Bowen
Dedicated
Posi-tone Records

Sean Nowell
The Seeker
Posi-tone Records
www.posi-tone.com
By George W. Harris

Ah! Nothing goes down as nicely as a big, fat, thick and well grilled tenor sax, sautéed with onions and mushrooms. Here are two guys from Posi-tone Records that serve it up like Gibsons in Chicago.

Ralph Bowen has that full-bodied sound, like a young Sonny Rollins, on this classic sounding hard bop release. He’s got some chefs that know their way around the skillet here: Sean Jones/tp, Adam Rogers/g, John Patitucci/b and Antonio Sanchez/dr, and they snap and sizzle on this sextet of originals dedicated to music mentors like Pat LaBarbera (“Pat”), David Baker (“Mr. Bebop”) and Eugene Rousseau (“E.R”). The music is refreshing in that it gets back to the basics of jazz-swingin’ and improvising. No one overdoes their solos-clean, clear and cohesive. What more are ya lookin’ for, buddy?

Same goes for this excellent release by saxist/composer Sean Nowell. He’s got that fill-up-the-room tone as well. Ah! Guys that aren’t Coltrane impersonators! He’s got a T-Bone like texture on the quartet pieces like his own “New York Vibe,” and then goes to town with on the traditional tune “Oy Matze Matze” which swirls around like an enraptured folk dancer. The cast of Art Hirahaa/p, Thomas Kneeland/b, Joe Abatanuono/dr cook on all four flames, while guests Dave Eggar/cello and Nir Felder/g add flavor and garnish tunes like “Oy.” Nowell does a gorgeous take on The Beatles’ “I Will,” turning that tune into a lovely side dish of double stuffed potatoes and sour crème, with the butter of Nowell’s sax gurgling over the top. The rhythm section smokes like grilled peppers and hash browns on hummers like “I Remember You.” I love it when guys make it sound this easy. Satisfying to the last bite!