www.JazzWax.com

One of this year’s finest hard bop albums is trombonist Steve Davis’ Gettin’ It Done (Posi-tone). All of the songs and arrangements are his, and the sound is Blue Note, circa 1962. Davis is joined by Josh Bruneau on trumpet and flugelhorn, Mike Dirubbo on alto sax, Larry Willis on piano, Nat Reeves on bass and Billy Williams on drums. The pacing and aggression are just right—powerful enough to get the message across but sufficiently spacious to allow the poetry to come through. Sample Village Blues, the title track and Wishes.