This unusual album is an unlikely success. Altoist
John Zorn, who is best-known for his avant-garde flights and rather eccentric concept albums, here plays it fairly straight. He interprets seven compositions (all fairly obscure) by the somewhat forgotten hard bop pianist
Sonny Clark including "Cool Struttin'," "Voodoo" and "Sonny's Crib." With alert support from pianist
Wayne Horvitz, bassist
Ray Drummond and drummer
Bobby Previte,
Zorn creates fairly boppish solos with occasional hints at more advanced improvising techniques. Worth checking out. ~ Scott Yanow