Call it “creating a groove,” or “being in the pocket,” it’s one of the most treasured and most attractive reasons people flock to jazz. It’s felt more than described, that rhythmic flow when all time stops. Here are a couple of bands that work to that apotheosis.
The NYC edition of legendary drummer Steve Smith’s Vital Information consists of Mark Soskin/p-key, Baron Browne/b, Andy Fusco/as and Vinny Valentino/g here on a mix of studio and concert performances. The disc opens like a 78 rpm piano that eventually segues into a funky groove of Thelonious Monk’s “Bemsha Swing,” and from then on it’s Ride The Wild Ride Cymbal as Smith creates crisp layers on “Time Check” and does brush work as nimbly as Van Gogh on “The Brush Off” with deft alto and guitar work. Some soulful percolation on “Willowcrest” and post bop guitar on “Oleo” are sandwiched between some drum pastiches,while the concert tunes include Valentino Movin’ Wes on “The Blackhawk” and Fusco bopping like a mad hatter on “The Bottom Line.” A textbook drum lesson of joy.
The rhythm team of Jim Sodke/p-key, Larry Tresp/b and Brian Ford/dr make for a great foundation for the solo excursions of Steve Lewandowski/g and Curt Hanrahan/sax-fl on this collection of originals. Sodke’s bluesy B3 gets funky for Hanrahan’s tenor and Lewandowski’s guitar, while the latter shows the full Monty during the quirky bop of “Imp” and the toe tapping toy on “Jocko (The Monkey).” Sodke’s piano creates a soft toned drive on “Pastel,” and teams with Tresp’s bass to deliver a gospel beat to the tenor’s preaching on “Seattle” while the latter bows the strings on the lovely “Azure.” Solid performance on all fronts.
BFM Jazz
Blu Jazz Records