Here’s a pleasantly swinging album by tenor saxophonist Kirk MacDonald, who joins together with Tom Harrell/tp-fh, Brian Dickinson/p,Neil Swainson/b and Dennis Mackrel/dr for a Decalogue of originals.
MacDonald’s tone is rich and tensile, blending well with Harrell on pieces like the sleekly driving title tune and softly floating on “Shadows.” He’s a strong yet lyrical soloist, skipping along like a stone over some nice stick work on the crisp “Mackrel’s Groove” while Harrell on his own sears on the excitingly percussive “Brazil Like.” Dickinson gets some nice time in the spotlight with some classy chords and melody on “Contemplation” and swerves in and out with Swainson to dodge round Mackrel on “Labyrinth.” The entire session is filled with rich melodicism, wonderful melodies and cogent solos. A real find that swings with style!
Addo Records