Disc of the day: 25-05-10

Ralph Bowen: Due Reverence (Positone PR8061)
The New York tenor player and associate prof of jazz studies at Rutgers University might not be a household name over here in the UK, but you can judge the measure of the man by his sidemen here: Sean Jones on trumpet, Adam Rogers on guitar, John Patitucci on bass and Antonio Sanchez on drums.

The five tracks are all originals and all have dedicatees, figures from the music both past and present, and mostly involved in jazz education.

The opener is Less Is More, written to honour Ted Dunbar, guitarist, numerologist, and past prof at Rutgers. As the title suggests it is a plain and graceful Latin-rhythmed number very much in the mood of Freddie Hubbard’s Little Sunflower . The Bob in question in This One’s For Bob is Bob Mintzer, and it’s a tongue-tangling pattern exercise turned into a speedy hard-bop piece.

Mr Scott, the longest piece and presumably honouring the Ragtime composer James Scott, is also the most satisfying, with a lovely surge and release feel to it, and outstanding solos from Jones and Bowen. The finale, Points Encountered, is a prime example of a contemporary twisting and turning jazz composition. Very classy support from Rogers, Patitucci and Sanchez to Bowen’s fleet solo, and fascinating improv from Rogers.

Some great playing on this album. Bowen is an impressive saxophonist, though I wish he would restrain his constant urge to build every solo to a way up in the altissimo register climax – while it may display considerable technical skill it is also a cliched route to a thrill.