Saxophonist Nick Hempton leads a swinging quartet for his debut with Posi-Tone Records, The Business. The Australian native, currently residing in New York has a warm, soulfulness to his playing, emulating the styles of hard bop and R & B saxophone giants such as Dexter Gordon, Cannonball Adderley and Hank Crawford.
Hempton brings a swinging determination to his own compositions, particularly on the sly 5/4 groove of “Press One for Bupkis” and the boppish “Not Here for a Haircut.” A straight-up rendering of “Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good to You” reveals a strong penchant for no frills blues playing. The disc’s other cover tune, Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s “From Bechet, Byas, and Fats,” an up-tempo minor blues with a bridge, features an exceptional solo from pianist Art Hirahara and fiery trading between Hempton and drummer Dan Aran—Aran provides a tight groove from one tune to the next with the aid of bassist Marco Panascia.
The group is augmented on a few tracks with guitarist Yotam Silberstein who comps and solos with great facility on the closing “Carry On Up the Blues.” A well-conceived disc with hip tunes and strong playing, The Business is an unpretentious, toe-tapping musical ride.
