Pianist
George Colligan
has amassed a fairly sizable catalog on the
Steeplechase
and
Fresh Sound New Talent
labels.
Ultimatum
, however, is his first record for the Netherlands-based
Criss Cross
. The fiery quartet session features
Drew Gress
on bass,
Ralph Peterson Jr.
on drums, and the marvelous, underexposed
Gary Thomas
on tenor sax and flute. All have done highly advanced, groundbreaking work as leaders; they never stumble -- indeed, they soar -- on these enormously complex originals, nine in all.
Colligan
's playing, as always, is fierce and remarkably consistent. Buoyed by
Peterson
's relentless forward motion, he swings hard on the opening title track and the tempestuous
"Shiva's Dance."
He exudes warmth and introspection on the unusual
ballads
"Was It Not Meant to Be?"
"Wishful Thinking,"
both of which feature
Thomas
' incandescent flute.
"Ancestral Wisdom,"
"Catalyst,"
"Across..."
generate a variety of rhythmic challenges for the group (the first is also a flute feature), while
"Silkscreen"
features the leader in an unaccompanied setting, where he always seems to shine (check out his
Return to Copenhagen
solo disc). Finally,
"Lords of Justice"
wraps up the session with a
rock
backbeat and an especially gut-wrenching tenor solo. A fine achievement by one of
's most powerful bands thus far. ~ David R. Adler