An album that lopes comfortably through the bop/hard bop and beyond spectrum with Shanker proving to be an able saxist in a field where able saxists are far from seen as being thin on the ground. Where Shankar differs from many of his contemporaries lies in the delivery. He doesn't push the boundaries, opting instead to merely nudge them whilst suggesting that, should he feel the need to, he could kick the door down.
I'm pleased he doesn't, there's enough of that going on elsewhere and not just in jazz.
Eight of the eleven tracks are compositions by Shanker the other three being a pleasantly strange version of Lulu's Back in Town, Brubeck's The Duke and Autumn Leaves.
Apart from Shanker's alto - he blows soprano on Midnight Snack - Ethroth and Abe play meaningful solos plus Mobley's three tracks on trumpet add an extra dimension. Bass and drums lay down the foundation for what is an excellent album that bears comparision with many of his musical forebears. Lance
Available now on Wise Cat Records.
Vortex; Lulu's Back in Town; Winter Song; Hunter; Ramble; Nightfall; The Duke; Cinnamon; Midnight Snack; Autumn Leaves.
No comments :
Post a Comment