Bobby Broom
P lays For Monk
Origin Records
www.origin-records.com
By George W. Harris

Guitarist Bobby Broom, who is best known for his long-term stint with Sonny Rollins, has been putting out a steady flow of trio releases the past few years. This one, with Dennis Carrol/b and Kobie Watkins/dr is possibly his best, as it is unified in the theme of Thelonious Monk-the songs were either composed or performed by the famous Sphere. Broom’s pencil thin tone and lithe interplay between his bandmates is well suited for angular songs like “Evidence,” “In Walked Bud” and “Rhythm-a-ning.” He smoothes out the sharp angles and lets them glide down quite easily, with Watkins’ flexible drumming acting like a ping-pong partner as he deflects Broom’s over the top spins. The ballads “Ruby, My Dear” and “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” (a fine solo piece) demonstrate Broom’s patience with notes, something anyone who’s seen him with Sonny already knew. Great disc from a guy renewing an overlooked genre; the guitar trio.