Avery Sharpe, known best for his long tenure as McCoy Tyner’s bassist, has released an impressive disc that is a dedication to the famous abolitionist Sourner Truth. The session is a mixture of sorts, as the music is essentially divided into Tyner-themed instrumentals like “Isabella’s Awakening” and “Truth Be Told” and church-themed homilies and spirituals like “Pleading for my People” and “Motherless Child.” The team of Sharpe with Onaje Allan Gumbs/p, Craig Handy/sax and Duane Eubanks/tp-fh are both elastic enough to keep with the tricky tunes and yet energetic enough to keep the heat flowing. Jeri Brown’s vocals on the testimonials is right on the spot; ironically, everything works best when she brings in a wordless vocal on “The Way Home.” The notes, lyrics and titles all reflect Ms. Truth’s Christian motivation for setting the captives free. Isn’t that what the Gospel is supposed to do?
JKNM Records