Pianist Tyson Rogers, saxophonist
Jared Sims, and guitarist
Eric Hofbauer met in graduate school at the New England Conservatory of Music and have gelled as a trio. They recorded two earlier CDs together, but this third session adds two guests (both seasoned veterans) to the mix: bassist
Cecil McBee and drummer
Matt Wilson. It is clear that all three men are reaching new heights as composers as well as performers. Rogers' sauntering "Until We Have Names" mixes a hypnotic melody with an angular feeling. "Abdullah" is a catchy mix of gospel flavor with African rhythms in tribute to South African pianist and composer
Abdullah Ibrahim, in which Rogers and
Hofbauer interweave intricate solos underneath
Sims' smoking tenor sax. One has to love a song titled "Dead Mouse Blues"; its mournful theme played in unison by
Sims and
Hofbauer before giving way to Rogers' frisky solo. The guitarist's twisting post-bop vehicle "The High Priest's Sermon" is a real cooker, while "Bench Carvin'" has a
Thelonious Monk-like vamp to back
Sims' high-pitched but swinging soprano sax.
Sims' jaunty tango "The Old Country" is another great feature for his soprano.
McBee and
Wilson provide a solid rhythmic foundation for the younger men throughout the date. All in all, this is a delightful session by some up-and-coming musicians deserving of wider recognition. ~ Ken Dryden