European jazzmen who played with
Per Goldschmidt in the 1980s and 1990s swore by the hard-blowing baritone saxophonist; nonetheless, widespread recognition in American jazz circles eluded him. Although a fine interpreter of standards,
Goldschmidt does all of the writing on The Frame (which was recorded in New York in 1987 and came out on the Dutch Timeless Records in 1990). Joined by pianist
Niels Lan Doky, bassist
Lonnie Plaxico and drummer
Jack DeJohnette,
Goldschmidt is in fine form on such originals as the driving "Blues for Trane," the abstract "The Bermuda Triangle" and the melancholy "Loneliness." Meanwhile, "Snowgirl" is a pensive ballad that bears a slight resemblance to Coltrane's "Naima." This little known CD, which made it to American stores as an import, is well worth hearing if you happen across a copy. ~ Alex Henderson