Relatively few
jazz
musicians take up soprano sax compared to the rest of the reed family, but
Mitch Paliga
is one who has mastered his instrument. These 2006 sessions focus exclusively on his originals, with
Jo Ann Daugherty
on Fender Rhodes, guitarist
John McLean
bassist
Patrick Williams
and drummer
Ryan Bennett
interpreting his demanding charts.
Paliga
's fluid approach never gets carried away, while the sensitive rhythm section complements him, with
McLean
's solos also meriting attention. The heartfelt ballad
"QP Doll"
deserves to have lyrics.
Daugherty
switches to accordion and
to acoustic guitar for the menacing
"Blues for October."
"Fall Night"
also casts an eerie spell, with the sparse use of the bass and the keyboard's spooky chords. One less successful piece is the dark, funky
"Over and Over,"
a throwback to the early
fusion
era with a mundane vamp which distracts from
's adventurous solo. Recommended. ~ Ken Dryden