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Davis sets his stall out on Blue Autumn and it reveals an alto saxist to rank alongside the greats on his chosen instrument - both past and present. Long flowing lines that dance gracefully in and around the changes with a tone to die for and aided and abetted on this nine minute journey by three of NYC's finest.
The title track, Reflections, is a melodic masterpiece. Davis may be from New Orleans where he was mentored by Ellis Marsalis but on this one he wails like a Kansas City night owl. Wilner, Webber and Nash are also wailing and reflecting too.
Choctau Alley, named after a street in the Crescent City, simply exudes a melange of magnolia blossoms, funky butts and Storyville on a Saturday night back in the day. In other words - the blues. Listen to that horn telling it to today's second line and giving them a lesson they won't get at Berklee or Juilliard. Music like this was born in Miss Lulu White's bordello and raised in Old Joe's Barroom.
They don't come any funkier than Funk Sugo and nor is there a funkier solo than that by Spike Wilner. Nash too lays down an urban beat.
It's Just Farewell honours a past family member. Again Davis pours his heart out. Piano, bass and drums, as always, produce some incredible solos and breaks. On top of all that it's a memorable tune with an impressive ending.
Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans, one of only two non-original tracks and probably the greatest instrumental version of the song ever. An alto solo so well constructed it should be in the jazz curriculum of any music school worthy of its salt.
Nash is heavily featured on Monk's Evidence thumping the tubs and dropping the bombs behind Davis' bop re-imagined solo before returning in triumph to take it home.
If you like your bebop served up with a crawfish pie then this is for you - it's finger-lickin' good. Lance
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