On his second album for the Basin Street label, 22-year-old trumpeter
Irvin Mayfield remains strongly influenced by his mentor
Wynton Marsalis. The extent of the influence seems deliberately underscored by a video clip, included on this enhanced CD, that shows
Marsalis giving
Mayfield track-by-track feedback on his new work. (
Mayfield listens receptively, at times squirming in his seat.) The compositions ripple with modern, hard-hitting, post-bop swing and a variety of subtle Latin influences -- very much the kind of music
Marsalis was making in the mid- to late '80s. While
Mayfield's music benefits to some extent from its association with the best aspects of
Marsalis's writing style, on the whole it lacks a certain individuality. Still, his trumpet playing swings with a confident lyricism, and his band is as sensitive and cooking as each occasion demands. Aesthetically,
Mayfield's thematic concept -- the emotional pendulum of romance -- at first seems overdone, but it actually makes for a compelling musical narrative. Tracks named for various mental states provoked by romantic passion (e.g., "The Obsession," "The Denial") alternate with tracks named for famous couples from biblical and literary history (e.g., "Othello & Desdemona," "David & Bathsheba"). Joining
Mayfield are alto and soprano saxophonist Aaron Fletcher (from
Terence Blanchard's band), pianist
Richard Johnson, bassist
Edwin Livingston, and drummer
Jaz Sawyer.
Bill Summers,
Mayfield's bandmate in Los Hombres Calientes, contributes bata drums on "Adam & Eve," and
Ellis Marsalis plays lush piano behind
Mayfield's wah-wah trumpet on the powerful "Romeo & Juliet." Altoist
Donald Harrison guests on "David & Bathsheba," and
Delfeayo Marsalis, the album's producer, blows trombone on "The Denial" and "The Reality." That makes three members of the
Marsalis family who appear in some capacity on this album. Of course, acknowledging a debt of gratitude on a record makes sense. Basking in the
Marsalis glow has its public relations benefits as well. But
Mayfield will at some point need to make the step from a young protégé to an independent artist. ~ David R. Adler