Sean Smith Quartet Live [Live]

From Jazziz
Recorded live aboard the SS Norway in the Caribbean, bassist Sean Smith's debut disc as a leader exhibits his growing skills as a composer and bandleader. He writes engaging themes, interacts with compatible sidemen, and encourages open-ended improvisation. The music is somewhat cerebral, but it swings persistently, enabling the soloists to freely express themselves.

Smith's bass playing frequently directs the flow and overall feeling of the music. With Ron Vincent's distinctive ride cymbal explicitly stating the swift tempo, Smith initially holds the pulse in check during the jaunty "Pipe Dream" by playing on beats one and three, and continues to do so through Allen Mezquida's tart alto saxophone solo. This sets up a tremendous sense of release when he deftly starts walking at the beginning of Bill Charlap's turn, inspiring long, bop-derived phrases by the pianist.

"Minor Peace" features the bassist's counterpoint to Charlap's elegant playing, and his own solo generates a sweeping momentum. Throughout the disc Charlap shows several aspects of his formidable talent, capturing the essence of every tune and demonstrating an increasingly individual voice. Although Mezquida's work often reflects the cool precision of Lee Konitz and Paul Desmond, he can intentionally become strident, as witnessed during his second turn on "Pipe Dream." In the course of "A Not So Sad Folk Song," his gem of a solo freely creates distinctive melodies and induces tension by subtly injecting blues phrases into the mix.

Sean Smith Quartet Live,Sean Smith,Chiaroscuro Records,Contemporary Jazz,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop

Jazz Music: