Tenor saxophonist
Todd Herbert has composed a diverse collection of songs that he describes as metaphysical in content. However, to the connoisseur of free and straight-ahead jazz, every track on
The Path to Infinity is a very special listening experience reminiscent of
John Coltrane's performance style from the '50s. Each song features strong soloing, great improvising, and a palette of sonic and rhythmic techniques that keep the listener interested.
Herbert's playing is both intense and cool, laced with different chord voicings that indicate his clear idea of the context of every note he plays. He stretches out on "The Path to Infinity" taking his bandmates in several different directions. The feeling they evoke is limitless, boundless, endless -- leading everywhere and nowhere -- to infinity.
Herbert's horn phrasings fit over a variety of chords and harmonic settings that range from easy and meditative to spiritual and cosmic.
Sonny Rollins' "Decision" is the one cover tune on this set and
Herbert successfully unfolds a masterful rendition of tenor madness that will get you out of bed in the morning with this personal intonation. Accompanied by two top-notch rhythm sections,
Todd Herbert has supplied his quartet members with a variety of challenging music that keeps them all performing at the top of their game. ~ Paula Edelstein