Bassist
Ron McClure
has always had an open mind when it comes to playing in different genres and styles. In the late '60s, he was part of the
Charles Lloyd
quartet, along with
Keith Jarrett
and
Jack DeJohnette
, and a member of the
Fourth Way
, where he replaced
Cecil McBee
. Both outfits enjoyed success with jazz and rock audiences. During one stretch in the '70s,
McClure
worked with
Thelonious Monk
, then
Sarah Vaughan
, before joining
Blood, Sweat and Tears
for three years as an arranger, composer, and bassist.
's broad outlook continues to inform his more current work.
Pink Cloud
from 1996 finds
's outstanding quartet exploring the bassist's original hard bop, modal, and mainstream themes, and occasionally branching off into
ECM
-style impressionism. His partners form a cohesive unit that communicates at the highest level.
Rick Margitza
(tenor and soprano saxophone) has a mastery of the soprano on a par with
Wayne Shorter
's and
Jan Garbarek
's. His tone is full, rich, and controlled. Pianist
Jon Davis
wears his
Bill Evans
,
McCoy Tyner
, and
Richie Beirach
influences proudly. He's incorporated their lessons into a personal sound that fits well with
's free-ranging conception. Drummer
Jeff Williams
is, like
, a
Dave Liebman
alumnus. He is not as free as
Paul Motian
, but he shares
Motian
's ability to move the music forward with subtle accents and shifts in the pulse of the basic tempo.
's playing has been justifiably compared with the quick, clear, light touch that the late
Scott LaFaro
brought to prominence as a member of
' celebrated trio from 1959 to 1961. Like
LaFaro
with
Evans
's work is key his group's sound. As well, he has long been a writer of thoughtful, dynamic compositions. Eight of his pieces are effectively developed by the quartet on
. The recording on this
Naxos
release captures the quartet's close-knit, intimate sound very well, as it ranges over
's swinging, introspective, atmospheric and straight-ahead modern jazz vistas. ~ Jim Todd