Gary Foster, woodwinds/Putter Smith, bass – Perfect Circularity – AJL Records

by | Oct 29, 2007 | Jazz CD Reviews | 0 comments

Gary Foster, woodwinds/Putter Smith, bass – Perfect Circularity – AJL Records 77001-2, 61:32 *****:

Ah, this is my sort of chamber jazz – two creative players getting together without any rhythm section – in this case even without a piano. Working off one another, sharing a very creative list of of 13 selections, and none of them seeing over use on recent jazz releases, as are some tunes. Foster plays not just alto and tenor saxes but also various flutes, with equal virtuosity on all.

I’ve been playing Jimmy Rowles’ The Peacocks over and over – it’s a gorgeous vehicle for flute and bass.  And the Bach Siciliano has Foster again turning to the flute.  The sax solos on Lee Konitz’ Dream Stepper and Gary McFarland’s Blue Hodge are terrific too.  No muddiness in the sound of Smith bass – it has a rich and wide-range quality; definitely not confined to just providing a foundation in the lowest frequencies.  Other jazz greats represented by tune selections include Red Mitchell, Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker and Michel Legrand.  This CD is perfect not only in its circularity but also in its concept and character.

TrackList: Teef, The Peacocks, Dream Stepper, Tonggeret, Bach Siciliano, For Us, Jam for Your Bread, You Must Believe in Spring, Oleo, I Remember You, In Praise of Malcolm X, Blue Hodge, Relaxin’ at Camarillo.

 – John Henry

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