If you are a fan of classic jazz from the Blue Note period of the 50s and 60s (and if you’re not, WHAT’S YOUR PROBLEM?!?!?) then you are going to salivate over this session by pianist Mike Bardash. He leads a Horace Silver-inspired quintet of Gene Torres/b, Tony Lewis/dr, Deji Coker/sax/flute and Kenyatta Beasley/tp through eleven originals that mix snapping bop rhythms with energetic solos. A funky fingerpopper like “Brass Tacks” sets the tone with a beefy tenor riding the wavelike groove, while an exotic minor blues on “Late in the Game” spotlights the crystal cleary yet mysterious trumpet sounds from Beasley’s horn. Some electric keyboards increase the groovy boogaloo mood along on with some fanciful flute on “Around the Edges” while the toes keep tapping on the waltzing and percussive “Kenny’s Clave.” Hard bop heaven!
Rhombus Records