Al Foster McCoy Tyner Archive

Heads Of State – Four In One – Smoke Sessions 

by Audiophile Audition | Oct 15, 2017 | Jazz CD Reviews

Heads Of State – Four In One – Smoke Sessions Records SSR_1702, 72:21 ****: Great jazz by all-stars! (Garry Bartz – alto saxophone, soprano saxophone; Larry Willis – piano; David Williams – double bass; Al Foster – drums) Heads Of State boasts four stellar jazz instrumentalists with dexterity and flair. On their follow up to the critically acclaimed debut, Search For Peace ( a tribute to McCoy Tyner), the quartet seems prepared to enhance their repertoire with a vibrant collection of original compositions (in democratic fashion, each member contributes a song) and covers of jazz legends. Four In One showcases internal cohesion and individual technical artistry. The opening title cut is a classic take on Thelonious Monk. Bartz opens on alto saxophone mixing trilling notation and fluid leads. At 2:45, Larry Willis takes over on piano. His intricate phrasing (and subtle tempo variations) and medium swing is a perfect complement. Double bassist David Williams also solos and drummer Al Foster exchanges with Bartz later. On the first new composition, “And He Called Himself A Messenger” (Bartz), the group builds grooves and melody interaction. In re-inventing jazz masters, the jams manage to capture the moods and inherent soul of the composers. […]