Back in the 1950s, the California Coast was known for creating music that was concise, high on melody and rich in warm, breezy moods. More than half a century later, bassist Pete Johnston is trying to make Toronto the new center of the genre, although with more modern aspects. It works well on these two latest releases. Put down the top of your convertible and listen as you cruise the highway to these sounds.
The “first” See Through 4 has Pete Johnston playing bass with a lithe team of Lina Allemano/tp, Michael Davidson/vib and Jake Oelrichs/dr sound like a melding of West Coast Cool with a dash of early Ornette Coleman. Allemano’s horn his a dash of Don Cherry freedom and fragility along with the warmth of Kenny Dorham, teaming well with Davidson on the loosely grooved “Underground Over Night” or bopping on the pulsating “Quietly Fading Fast”. Johnston gives a rich slow intro to the dirge-like “Every thing Happens Once” before shifting gears withy Oelrich’s mallets, while he drives a deep groove on “Possible Daylight Dreams”. Davisdson’s intro to “Familiar Second Thoughts” forms a hazy mist with Allemano’s muted horn as Johnston graciously guides through the atmosphere here after jabbing and punching on “Surrender Before Then”. Impressive impressions.
The “second” See Through 4 features Johnston with Nick Fraser/tp, Marilyn Lerner/p and Karen Ng/as with a team that is light on its feet through seven originals. Ng’s alto has a Lee Konitz coolness and adventurous attitude, going into subtones, weaving around Lerner as Fraser taps out a jabbing beat on the elliptical “Battling In Extra Ends” while puffing out a melody as Johnston and Fraser scramble on “Uncertain slant of Light”. Gorgeous dry martinis of tone are created on the deft “Another World For Science” and hiply bopping “Not A Half Stepper” as the leader gives a thick tone as he plods through the mud on the ominous “With Scars To Show”. The team is able to stretch from bopping playfulness as on “The Sidewalks Are Watching” to the rich and flowing rubato of a climactic close of the album on ”An Ocean To Forget”. Coolness on the West Coast of Lake Ontario.