As a clarinet player (or, more accurately, one who blows air into a clarinet to emit sounds), I always keep an ear open for new ideas on the licorice stick. Darryl Harper is a guy I’ve never heard of before, but this disc will make me want to do some digging. This collection of tunes has him in two settings; one in a trio format with Mathew Parrish/b and Harry “Butch” Reed/dr and the other in a duet along with pianist Kevin Harris. Both have wonderful moments, and the contrast of the two bands keeps the album well paced. Of the former, a ¾ “Blues for Jerry” and Kansas City Line” spotlights Harper’s warm, calm and rich tone, but he’s willing to take a directional chance here and there. On the piano parings, Parrish rumbles underneath Harper’s brooding woody musings on “Walking with Old Souls” while they both go a bit free and frisky on”Spindleshanks.” Harris closes the disc on a solo take of Coltrane’s “After the Rain” that makes you feel you’ve heard an important meeting of minds. Wonderful stuff.
Hipnotic Records