Anton Schwartz
used the
blues
as inspiration for nine compositions heard on this studio session, though many of them are not especially bluesy. With a band including a longtime
collaborator, guitarist
Peter Bernstein
, plus rising star
Taylor Eigsti
on piano, bassist
John Shiflett
and drummer
Tim Bulkley
, the tenor saxophonist kicks off the date with his percolating, funky
"Phantom Dance,"
which rhythmically suggests the influence of
Eddie Harris
. His engaging
"Slightly Off Course"
would have easily been a fit with
Art Blakey
's repertoire, while
Schwartz
speaks his mind with a hot tenor solo in
"Marcel Marceau."
The only standard is a thoughtful arrangement of
Antonio Carlos Jobim
's
"Wave."
The band provides strong support throughout the date, with
Bernstein
and
Eigsti
adding potent solos as well. Beautifully recorded in 24-bit stereo, this CD is warmly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden