This,
Clarence Johnson III's first album as a leader, runs the musical gamut from passionate excursions into
John Coltrane influenced impressionism to the future as heard through the horn of
Archie Shepp. Combining monster technical skills with impressive improvisational techniques and multidimensional musical preferences,
Clarence Johnson and his musical confreres fervently assault a play list of four
Johnson originals, two standards, and a spiritual. Improvisational skills are amply exhibited on
Johnson's own "Rose's Rainbow" and
Dizzy Gillespie's "Con Alma." On the latter, he turns Gillespie's bop classic inside out, wringing from it every drop of emotion that the song can give. Armenian jazz pianist Vahag Petian, in his only appearance on the album, is
Johnson's able accomplice on this tune. The rendition of his ballad "Appeal" reveals a softer, soulful side to
Johnson's tenor that is a welcome respite to the frenetic musical comings and goings. Anthony Brown's subtle guitar stroking and Jesse Boyd's bass are prominent in their support. "Watchagondoo" takes
Johnson down the Shepp road with honking and squeaks segueing into a blues-based swing, and a bit of a Caribbean beat thrown in. The
Roy Haynes inspired drumming of Leon Alexander is featured on this cut. The noble and rousing spiritual "How Great Thou Art" is fitting coda to a session introducing
Clarence Johnson's tenor sax and compositional skills to the jazz public. ~ Dave Nathan