CD Review: Jorge Nila - Tenor Time

Jorge Nila (tenor); Dave Stryker (guitar); Mitch Towne (organ); Dana Murray (drums).

(Review by Lance).

A gem but...

A relatively unknown tenor player, at least in the UK, paying tribute to Gordon, Mobley, Rollins, Shorter, Stitt, Henderson and others may seem to be an unlikely buy for anyone living outside of Nila's native Omaha. However, this would be to do a grave injustice to a fine saxman and a sound trio who dig in in the best tenor/organ tradition. 

An album like this is, of course, a multi-edged sword. There will always be those who never look back. Dudes who flunked History at school. There's also those who've never looked forward - geeks who were always top of the class in History. Not only did they know the date of the Battle of Wherever but they also knew the time of day it took place.

So, when you get a disc like this, it's best to just sit back and let the music envelope and surround you. Forget about the past or the future. Nila's his own man, no cloning, he interprets them as he hears them. Yes, he's listened to and appreciated Dex, Hank and the others but that's as far as it goes, when the money's down he's in the driving seat and drive he can.

With Towne on organ, Stryker on guitar and Murray providing the pulse, let's dream that someday they will be playing at a joint near you. In the meantime...
Lance.
Tracks: Fried Bananas (Dexter Gordon); Soul Station (Hank Mobley); On a Misty Night (Tadd Dameron); Infant Eyes (Wayne Shorter); Rocket Love (Stevie Wonder); Inner Urge (Joe Henderson); The Everywhere Calypso (Sonny Rollins); The Eternal Triangle (Sonny Stitt); Our Miss Brooks (Harold Vick).