Bassist Mark Saltman and pianist William Knowles team up for some fluid sounds on this mix of post bop and standards. The concluding team of Keith Killgo/dr, Grant Langford/sax and “DeAndre Schaifer/tp keeps the feel upbeat on the swinging “Alias” and “Across the Sea.” Saltman likes to introduce many of the pieces, and his thick pulse sets the pace well on “Behind The Wall” and the exotic “I Remember Yusef” with Langford’s rich alto. Knowles is a charmer as he creates a mystical sound along with vocalist Lori Williams on “What Is This Thing Called Love” and flows glowingly on “Almost.” A Caribbean feel includes steel pans on a fun “This Is New” and a hip read with Williams on “September In The Rain” closes the sophisticatedly swinging session. A jogger’s pulse that bops.
Pacific Coast Jazz