Tuba player Bob Stewart puts together two seemingly incongruous bands, the PUBLIQuartet (string quartet) and the First Line bands that go from quartet to sextet in seconds flat. The FLB includes Jerome Harris/g, Matt Wilson/dr, Curtis Stewart/vio, Randall Haywood/tp and Nick Finzer/tb, and you almost need a program for the program of songs, which mix originals with jazz standards and not-so-standards.
A handful of short pieces feature the quartet surrounding Stewart on the brooding “Aqua” and the loosely fitting “Red,” while Oriental percussions and strings create a fascinatingmood in “Makina.” Some bluesy guitar and percussion is grabbed in “Hand in Hand” and Mingus comes back from the grave on an assertive “Jump Monk.’ New Orleanish percussion and fun loving violin sounds team up on “Odessa” and some homespun folk sounds are emitted as Harris sings on the back porch on “Fishin’ Blues.” Stewart fills the session by supplying bass lines, melody or atmosphere at just the right time, showing that the best leaders are most adept at serving.
Sunnyside Records