System 6: Bernie’s Lament

Benn Clatworthy’s team of Joey Sellers/tb, Ron Stout/tp, Bryan Velasco/p, Bruce Lett/b and Yayo Morales/dr-perc has the leader in a wide range of woodwinds on this modal album of originals. His tenor sax is still in the late-period Coltrane mold on his emotive “The Pursuit” and the double timed “Sign Of The Times” while his flute is dramatic with Velasco on his trudging “Bennie’s L ament” and teams with the brass for a Hancockian “Pelican Plus One” that is reminiscent of vintage Speak Like a Child. The elegiac “Terry Briggs has Stout sighing sweetly with “Good Grape featuring both Stout and the composer Sellers in a warm and ebullient relaxed atmostphere. Morales drives the team on his percolating “Two Little Brothers” and Lett glistens on the mellow soul of “In Strayhorn’s Bag”. Strong personalities well harnessed.

www.bennclatworthy.com

 

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