Drummer
Owen Howard's set features some very strong playing by
Chris Potter (doubling on tenor and soprano) plus fine work from the versatile guitarist
Brad Schoeppach (whose playing ranges from peaceful sounds to intensity bordering on rock), trumpeter
Phil Grenadier, bassist
Larry Grenadier and the leader. The unpredictable music, which stretches the tradition of chordal improvisation without getting completely free, practically defines post bop. In addition to a medium-tempo rendition of
Thelonious Monk's "Introspection" and Edmonton composer Bill Emes' "Linear Coordinates,"
Howard (a very musical and alert drummer) contributed five originals. Good as the soloists are, the accompaniment (which sometimes resembles
Ornette Coleman's early groups) is just as intriguing. Although one can pick out specific highlights (including the fairly mellow jazz waltz "Red Giant," the fiery interplay between trumpet and soprano on "Blues for Blackwell" and the entire 10½-minutes of "Ascen-Dance"), each of the seven performances hold one's interest. This is a CD that rewards repeated listenings and is highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow