Modern jazz and sounds of Sergei Prokofiev are served by the team of soprano saxist Stephane Spira along with pianist Giovanni Mirabassi, drummer Donald Kontomaou and bassist Steve Wood on the clever session. A pair of Spira originals include a fun and Monkish “Ocean Dance” with hip bop lines by Mirabassi and frisky sax work on the cheerful “After Rain”. The team undulates gloriously on Carla Bley’s “Lawns” and Kontomanou uses deft brush work on Eric Satie’s “Gymnopedie #1”.
The collection of Prokofiev pieces have Mirabassi in great stride on the post bopping title pieces, the impressionistic “New York Dream” and the team fluid on the Latin-tinged “No Strings Attached”. Spira’s straight sax is clear and calm, adding pastoral shades throughout. A rich ride of Russia.