Geof Bradfield's second date as a leader shows a great degree of maturity for a relatively young player. Doubling on tenor and soprano saxes, he penned six originals for the session, which includes pianist Ron Perrillo, bassist Clarke Sommers, and drummer George Fludas. "Urban Nomad" is an enticing, melancholy post-bop vehicle that embodies a sense of wandering, featuring the leader's engaging soprano. He switches to tenor for his robust, funky swinger "Janus Groove," while showcasing his magical touch with ballads in the lyrical original "I Carry Your Heart with Me." The quartet also delves into familiar songs, including a peppy take of the standard "You're My Everything," with
Bradfield's playful soprano driven by the Latin undercurrent of the rhythm section, along with a breezy setting of
Dizzy Gillespie's "Con Alma" that opens with Perrillo's dramatic solo.
Thad Jones' "Kids Are Pretty People" is an overlooked gem that relatively few others have explored;
Bradfield's full-bodied tenor is prominent in this loping arrangement. ~ Ken Dryden