For his fourth recording as a leader apart from his regular duties with
Kurt Elling, pianist
Laurence Hobgood provides a tonic for the troops. This CD of mostly originals and a few familiar songs is subdued by
Hobgood's standards. Usually a pronounced, active, and busy player, he's toned it down as an antidote to the insane rat race existence many of us face. The mood overall is introspective, but not at all dull or languid, as
Hobgood and regular rhythm mates
Rob Amster on bass and
Paul Wertico on drums play a series of very modern compositions that sport distinctive traditional, classical, and faith-based elements. The CD begins with a folkish, light funky, and bouncy gospel-shaded "Revival," exploring pure melodicism. A hauntingly deep waltz "Prayer for the Enemy," a restrained take of the popular stage tune "When in Rome," the anticipatory, tidy bass-fronted dirge "March to Epiphany," and a contemporary singsong, church-informed "Trinity" hold the trio in sway. But this project concludes even more strong musically on a contrasting harmonic and spiritual level. A healing "The Dreaded Symphony," a quite pretty version of
Henry Mancini's "Crazy World," and the huge 14-and-a-half-minute "Windowman," with its baroque introduction and steady, deeply reflective, divine body of hope and quiet optimism, take the project out in a different light.
Kurt Elling is here for two songs -- a wonderful straight read of the pining ballad "More Than You Know" and a supple samba take of the
Fred Hersch composition "Endless Stars." For some of
Hobgood's fans this CD might come as a surprise, but for those who do know the tender, gentle, and sensitive side of
Hobgood's genius, this will be an album to proudly own along with his other recorded efforts. ~ Michael G. Nastos