As an exponent of
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
,
Marcus
uses a sound on his stritch, saxello, and sopranino saxophone that has a sour, bread-like taste, slightly askew, brimming with life. He's pushing the harmonic envelope while remaining tuneful. For this date,
Rahn Burton
, longtime pianist for
Kirk
, is on the organ, an instrument he has rarely recorded with. His approach is very different, more patient, expansive, mellow. Chords linger, burn is minimal. Drummer
Nasheet Waits
, son of the late drummer
Freddie Waits
, more than follows in his fathers footsteps, he's circling them, making his own mark as a fine jazz rhythm maker. Of these ten selections with eight originals by
, there's a seething-under-the-surface quality, nothing outrageous, but reverent and patient, as if the trio is waiting for the spirit to pay them a visit rather than endlessly searching for it. Several easy grooves appear as on
"Visiting Moments,"
with slight bossa nova inferences, or the waltz
"Flight of the Monarch,"
where a sopranino's cocooning melody becomes a large butterfly. The title track and
"San Francisco Calling"
have more church-flavored overtones, the former with dual woodwinds played a la
, the latter with
Burton
's Sunday morning-informed groove spurred on by two-note horn lines from trombonist
Clark Gayton
and trumpeter
Gary Strauss
. The brass duo also shows up for
"Goodbye to the Smile"
for
' previous bandmate and a
alum, the late pianist
Jaki Byard
, whom this CD is dedicated to. On this solemn ballad, the horns echo pain and sweetness in a melody quite similar to
Thelonious Monk
's
"Ask Me Now."
Best cuts are the lowdown blues stroll
"Badwater,"
the Afro-Cuban-tinged arrangement of the standard
"Invitation,"
and a roaring, hard bopping
"Walking on Fire,"
with a distinct Native American-metered coda. The ballad take of
Monk
"Pannonica"
is also unique in that it takes the angularity of the melody and tilts it more askew without damaging its original intent, a refreshing interpretation.
Michael Marcus
is on to something here. Hopefully the organ trio concept is not a one shot, but with the demonstrated fertile mind of the leader, it's likely he'll continue to try different combinations of musicians. This triad hit the K spot. Recommended. ~ Michael G. Nastos