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Bob Albanese: One Way/Detour
By
Ira Sullivan
multi-instrumentalist1931 - 2020
The disc opener, "Major Minority," maintains a brisk jazz waltz tempo, with a sneaky two-against-three swing feel thrown into the piano solo. The trio's intuitive interplay on the Albanese original is reminiscent of classic recordings by pianist
Bill Evans
piano1929 - 1980
The pianist makes a soft landing onto an adventurous musical path with his rhythmically disjointed, lyrically flowing compositions. The hard-swinging title track, for example, features bluesy punctuations with Thelonious Monk
piano
1917 - 1982
Dyson's heavy-footed samba pattern propels the enticing "Morning Nocturne" with a harmonic sequence in-line with the lushness of a Brazilian classic. The elasticity of "Joyful Noise" contrasts nicely with the more straight ahead, in-the-pocket groove of "Waiting for Louis." The latter finds Albanese and Kennedy digging deep into the bebop well with an intensity that is graceful and unhurried.
The presence of Sullivan on the disc's more standard fare allows for a few moments of introspective breath catching. Although far from overbearing, the veteran reedman demonstrates an authoritative approach on tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone and alto flute. The duet between Sullivan and Albanese on "Midnight Sun" is an emotional highpoint of the recording with Sullivan's warm soprano tone singing beautifully.
The disc closes with Albanese's "Friendly Fire" and an incomplete alternate take of the same tune, "More Friendly Fire." The tune is an up-tempo scorcher through the changes of "What is This Thing Called Love" with an unrelenting energy level and an inspired tenor solo by Sullivan; a fitting closer to a refreshingly spontaneous session.
">Track Listing
Major Minority; Yesterday's Gardenias; One Way/Detour; Morning Nocturne; Joyful Noise; Ugly Beauty; Waiting For Louis; Midnight Sun; Friendly Fire; More Friendly Fire.
Personnel
Bob Albanese
pianoTom Kennedy
bass, electricWillard Dyson
drumsIra Sullivan
multi-instrumentalistAlbum information
Title: One Way / Detour | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Zoho Music
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