Hard to know what to make of this album that pianist Orrin Evans has put together wit a core team of Christian McBride/b and Karriem Riggins/dr with a couple guests. Part of the time he evokes impressions of McCoy Tyner on post bop trio pieces such as “For Miles” and “Ruby Red.” At times he goes outside and beyond during “Sweet Sue” and with guitarist Marvin Sewell sounds like he’s at a hoedown on “Wildwood Flower.” When they gel, the trio works and swings like gangbusters, and McBride is in volcanic form. A trio of readings of the standard “All The Things You Are” range from hip hop recitations to moribund pronouncements from JD Walter, so there’s something for everyone, or not quite something for everyone.
Smoke Sessions Records