THE OTTO LINK MOUTHPIECE LIVES! Here are two releases that have tenor sax players; one as a leader, and one as a sideman. Both guys show a sonic debt to John Coltrane’s “middle” period from ’58-62 when he was literally setting the tone for future generations of Selmer Mark VI players.
Not only does Michael Pedicin have Coltrane’s tone down, he’s got the songbook down as well. He does a couple of smart moves on this concert gig at a New Jersey nightclub. One, he includes a guitarist, Johnnie Valentino, to the team of Jim Ridl/p, Andy Lalasis/b and Bob Shomo, so that the sound doesn’t completely mimic ‘Trane’s. This is a good call, particularly because Valentino’s licks on tunes like “Africa” are just very tasty. Second, he takes tundes from Coltrane’s canon, but changes the tempo and feel of them, making a song like “Impressions” more like a Kind of Blue mood piece. The rhythm team is supple, working well on material such as “ Like Sonny” and “Say It.” If you don’t have the originals, this is a nice place to be.
Abraham Burton’s tenor shows a similar debt to guys like Trane, Wayne Shorter and Benny Golson on this collection of originals and covers lead by the erudite drumming of Bruce Cox. The leader gets a chance to show his stuff by his lonesome on “Les Rayons,” while demonstrating his flexibility on ricocheting pieces like “Evidence” or bopping “Burno.” The spaciousness of “Darn That Dream” and “Whisper Not,” shows Cox’s hand like a tell, revealing a heart for mainstream hard bop that flows through his veins.