The John for five here is John Coltrane – whose songs are featured on about half the record, but which take on a very different sound in the hands of these excellent musicians! Key here is vibist Joe Locke – who adds an element you'd never hear in Coltrane's own recordings – and the rest of the lineup really gives the record a special sparkle, too – with Max Ionata on some searing tenor lines, Dado Moroni on piano, Marco Panascia on bass, and the great Alvin Queen on drums – a timekeeper with a bit more of a soulful swing than Elvin Jones. The set features great readings of "Naima", "After The Rain", and "Mr PC" – plus the McCoy Tyner tunes "Latino Suite" and "Contemplation" – and a version of Elvin Jones' "EJ's Blues". Also features strong originals "Mr Fournier" and "Sister Something" – and a version of "Uncle Bubba", a Gary Bartz tune. ~ Dusty Groove
Don't worry about the title, because drummer Jonathan Blake is very much with us – stepping out strongly in his Criss Cross debut as a leader! The set's got a unique approach – a quartet with no piano, just drums and bass – plus tenor and flute from Chris Potter, and tenor and soprano from Mark Turner! Both reedman work wonders together – deftly twisting and turning around each other, then sliding into solo spaces that are really tremendous – filled with inventive elements, yet still soulfully swinging – at a level that may well make the record one of the best performance from either player in awhile. Many tunes are tributes to folks passed from the Philly scene in which Blake grew up – including Trudy Pitts and Charles Fambrough – and tracks include "Firm Roots", "Broski", "Anysha", "New Wheels", and "The Shadower". ~ Dusty Groove
Saxophonist Justin Robinson serves up a tribute to bassist Dwayne Burno – in a set that wasn't originally intended that way, but which turned out to be Burno's last time in the studio! Dwayne passed away from kidney disease after the album was recorded – and hearing his wonderful work throughout, we're already missing him greatly – for his warm spirit, his flawless sense of swing, and his commanding tone that really seems to hold fast throughout the entire set. The leader is great too – a soulful voice on alto, with a style that takes us back to Jackie McLean in the 70s – and a great writer too – as evidenced by a handful of excellent tracks in the set. The group also features Michael Rodriguez on trumpet, Sullivan Fortner on piano, and Willie Jones on drums – and titles include "Easy E", "Alana's Fantasy", "Jeremy Isaiah", "When We Were One", "Answering Service", and a version of Gary Bartz's "Libra". ~ Dusty Groove
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