Darius Brubeck (piano); Dave O’Higgins (tenor sax);
Matt Ridley (bass); Wesley Gibbens (drums).
(Review by Lance).
Darius
Brubeck dispensed with his siblings some twelve years ago, hooking up with
Ridley and Gibbens. A move that some might see as the equivalent of Brubeck
père bringing in Gene Wright and Joe Morello. Tenor man Dave O’Higgins remains
on the team which is a wise move – which alto player could replace Paul
Desmond?
Apart
from a couple of dad’s breadwinners – In
Your Own Sweet Way, Desmond’s Take
Five and Hugh Masekela’s Nomali –
the remaining tracks on this delightful album are all composed by Darius. Of course the
influence of Papa Dave seeps into Darius’ playing but it is only a slight
infusion. It would be abnormal if some of his old man’s greatness didn’t rub
off.
Brubeck
senior’s music moved in directions none of his contemporaries envisaged back
then, Darius operates in the less sophisticated but earthier jazz scene of
today whilst still digging out his own way forward. In O’Higgins he has the man
to aid and abet. Desmond wouldn’t have taken this path, probably wouldn’t want
to, O’Higgins incorporates some of the late alto saxist’s lyricism whilst
adding his own melodic charm on tenor. A charm that, at times, dispenses with
the melodic and the lyrical in favour of a muscular virile sound which,
nevertheless, only serves to make it all the more appealing.
Take Five runs for ten
minutes and, apart from the underlying rhythm, makes no attempt to clone the
original - apart from the Morello style drum solo which the fans would expect
on such an iconic tune. O’Higgins blows up a storm and reminds us of just how
strong the UK is when it comes to tenor players – if our politicians blew Mark
6’s instead of hot air then maybe Poland and other European countries would
give them the applause the audience
in the Blue Note Club in Poznan gave to this superb band.
Lance
Album released on
Friday Dec. 13 with launch at the London Jazz Caf on Dec.14.
Ubuntu music –
UBU0033.
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