"
data-original-title="" title="">Erica Lindsay are the leaders on Initiation, having contributed five compositions each. It's the chemistry and the collective organic spontaneity of the whole quartet, however, that moves the sound into the level of top-tier excellence. Bassist
"
data-original-title="" title="">Rufus Reid constructs solid, big-sound foundations, and drummer Bob Braye —who, sadly, passed away after this recording was made —bustles and tromps with a fierce percussive fire on the up-tempo tunes and whispers with a fine finesse on the ballads. It is a sense of a fearless voyage of discovery and, often, an informed abandon and spontaneity that defines Initiation.
The Philadelphia-bred Tonooka, early on in her career, worked with
"
data-original-title="" title="">Jessica Williams in the early part of her career. Tonooka and co-leader Lindsay are rather under-recorded—a handful of CDs for Tonooka as a leader, a couple for Lindsay. It seems a rectification of that situation is underway, first with Tonooka's well-received trio outing, Long Ago Today (Artists Recording Collective, 2008), and now the set at hand.
The set opens with Lindsay's "Mari," a tune full of positive vibes and a bright rhythmic drive. Lindsay's sax approach has been compared to that of the late
"
data-original-title="" title="">Joe Henderson, perhaps for her labyrinthine, surprise-filled solos and smooth articulation. Her distinctive tone is all her own —muscular, expansive and oddly diaphanous, with a tangy metallic hue. Tonooka's "Mingus Mood" has a mournful sense of loss, in a "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" mode. It's a gorgeous, dark-toned ballad without a single wasted note. Her "South Street" recalls
"
data-original-title="" title="">Elvin Jones. It's a tune full of fluid yet implacably forward momentum featuring an adventurously spiritual solo by the pianist.
"
data-original-title="" title="">Cecil Taylor-style freedom, with Lindsay taking a spot that sounds at first quite traditional before things scatter. The band then regroups on Tonooka's tight, crisp eighty-eight foray. Lindsay's "Serpent's Tale" begins with an intimate conversation between the saxophonist and bassist Reid. It hits a groove, with Tonooka sparkling then spreading out to allow a rumbling trio interlude, with Lindsay sounding impassioned, as always.
With Initiation, Erica Lindsay and Sumi Tonooka offer up a fresh and adventurous take on the piano trio and saxophone quartet format.
All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
Go Ad Free!
To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
We sent a confirmation message to . Look for it, then click the link to activate your account. If you don’t see the email in your inbox, check your spam, bulk or promotions folder.
African Jazz Ambient / New Age Beyond Jazz Electronica Free Improv / Avant-Garde Fringes of Jazz Lounge / Exotica Modern Jazz Straight-ahead (Bop, Hard bop, Cool)
All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
Buy Now
