Here you’ve three jazz guys who are on the top tier: saxophonist Mark Turner, bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard. All three are known as sidemen, and their working together seems to sound like no one wants to take charge. The collection of originals sounds like a musical coop-no personality really rises to the top. The songs, sophisticate, intellectual and cerebral, come off just too dry and emotionless. Turner’s tenor on “Brothersister” or “Festival Tune” is just dry like toast, and his tone gets so rusty that it begs for some 30 weight oil. The lack of visceral feelings, or range of sounds feels like a discussion in Latin at times. I got into jazz because I was tired of the nihilism and infancy of rock. This makes me beg for a bit of rockabilly.
ECM Records
www.ecmrecords.com