Teaming together again Mark Turner/ts, Ethan Iverson/p and Ben Street/b, drummer Billy Hart follows up on the previous All Our Reasons with a collection of originals that delivers subdued swing, blues, bop and post modern.
A piece such as “Amethyst” focuses on the freer side of jazz, while “Yard” harkens back to the early days of bop in a tribute to Charlie Parker. Turner’s rust-tone tenor is served well here, while Hart’s tasteful brush work is demonstrated on the collective “Marachino.” Street’s bass locks in with the leader on “Teule’s Redemption” in a way that creates a tenacious grip on the listener, while “Lennie Groove” appeals more to the grey matter. Subtle and sophisticated is the name here. The collective of instruments includes brass, reeds, keyboards, harp and percussion as well as voices along with a recitation by the leader. The combination of genres includes jazz, modern classical, Central Asian, speed metal and free form improvisation. Boundaries? You definitely need a passport to cross these borders!
ECM Records