Jazz / Hard Bop, Jazz Instrument, Saxophone Jazz
Carl Allen Producer, Drums
Linda Presgrave Liner Notes
Lou Holtzman Engineer
Richie Goods Bass
Ronnie Mathews Piano
Vincent Herring Sax (Alto), Producer, Sax (Soprano)
At Sterling Place and Flatbush in Brooklyn, NY, the seeds for this quartet of jazz experts were planted, and the rich, ripe fruit grown to make up this CD. Alto and soprano saxophonist Vincent Herring, pianist Ronnie Mathews, bassist Richie Goods, and drummer Carl Allen are the all-stars, and they collectively romp through seven numbers ranging from modal and swinging mainstream to bop, and a ballad, all played precisely, tastefully, and rhythmically spirited as you'd expect. Herring continues his predilection toward bop with an edge, but he sounds like himself, not Bird. Mathews is a thoroughly educated and experienced player, able to play any style well, while Goods and Allen are fine listeners and improvisers. There are three pretty good swingers, the groove-inflected "Sweet & Lovely," the harder Wes Montgomery tune "S.O.S.," and the closer, Mathews original "John Charles" with a singingly tuneful bass-piano unison line. The heavy modal original of Mathews "Salima's Dance" is reprised from an original recording of Mathews on Beehive records, quite Coltrane-Tyner like with some rock 'em-sock 'em punchy piano outlays and Herring's soaring alto. The Most imaginative takes are Allen's original ballad in 5/4, "Alternative Thoughts" with Herring playing his lone track on soprano, and a tender, light samba inflected version of Duke Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood." The arrangement of the standard "Summer Night" is also notable for its original chart, beginning with a peculiarly enchanting tension in the intro before digging into the swing that one is used to hearing. Initially the group is predictable, exploiting a format of head-alto solo-piano solo-tail, but mix it up a bit more as the CD rolls on. This is a fine jazz combo and album from A to Z, and hopefully not a one shot because all the participants keep quite busy with other bands and their own. They're on the verge of sterling silver from the outset. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
Vincent Herring
Active Decades: '80s, '90s and '00s
Born: Nov 19, 1964 in Hopkinsville, KY
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Post-Bop, Hard Bop, Straight-Ahead Jazz, Jazz Instrument, Saxophone Jazz
It was only fitting that Vincent Herring gained his first important recognition playing with Nat Adderley, for his sound is strongly influenced by his idol, Cannonball Adderley. Born in Kentucky and raised in California, Herring moved to New York in 1983, and played with a variety of major musicians (including Lionel Hampton, David Murray, Horace Silver, and Art Blakey) before joining Adderley (1987-1993). Vincent Herring, who has recorded for Landmark and Music Masters, has led his own group since the early '90s.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
