Smoke Sessions Records is one of the rare labels that still boasts of a definitive sound, and the sound you hear is bopping mainstream jazz. This album by trombone meister Steve Davis is a cooker, filled with today’s top line of vets in Renee Rosnes/p, Ralph Moore/ts, Lewis Nash/dr, Essiet Essiet/b and the glorious trumpet of Dr. Eddie Henderson. The album brims over with jazz standards, with a pair of Monkers, one Miles and bop delights.
The horns cook on all 8 cylinders on a simmering read of “Milestones” with Henderson and Davis in glorious form, with the front line sauntering on a richly textured “To Wisdom, The Prize”. Of the Monk tunes, “We See” starts with Nash’s sticks a popping before Moore’s clever tenor take jumps in, while “Ask Me Now” has him in velvety form and Rosnes delightfully lyrical. Rosnes cooks like she’s frying an egg on “Star Eyes” and the leader keeps throwing butter on the fire, while the horns take turns bouncing like a super ball on “All Blues”. Comfort food for the ears.