Michael Cochrane
is one of many American
jazz
musicians who has had far greater exposure working for European-based labels than he has in his homeland. This trio date with bassist
Calvin Hill
and drummer
Jeff Hirschfield
is an enjoyable session, focusing exclusively on nine originals by the leader.
"Sit and Wait"
is a fine opener, in the mold of
Bud Powell
and
Duke Jordan
.
"The Seeker"
begins in a pensive mood before transforming into a lively mid-tempo
waltz
with an infectious vamp. The breezy
"New Samba"
showcases
Hill
's fluid bass, in addition to the leader. The brisk
"Ballad for Old Times Sake"
blends elements of
hard bop
and Latin rhythm into an infectious groove, while
"Early Bird"
sounds as if it could have been written during the '50s heyday of
bop
. ~ Ken Dryden