In listening to this music -- four
Gordon Brisker
originals, one song apiece from pianists
Mike Nock
and
Bill Cunliffe
, an obscurity, and a reharmonized
"I Got Rhythm"
-- it is difficult not to think of the mid-'60s
Miles Davis Quintet
in spots. Tenor saxophonist
Brisker
actually sounds closer to
John Coltrane
than
Wayne Shorter
, and trumpeter
Tim Hagans
has more power than
Miles Davis
did, but the complexity of the music and the democratic nature of the rhythm section's role point toward that classic group. Although there are many capable solos from
,
Hagans
and pianist
Marc Copland
, with alert support from bassist
Jay Anderson
and drummer
Jeff Hirshfield
, the music is quite dry and sometimes rather dull. Even "These Are the Jokes" sounds a bit dreary. The originals are generally complex without including any real innovations; the solos (although following the tricky chord changes) have little to do with the themes, and one comes away from this date respecting rather than loving the music. ~ Scott Yanow