Stan Bock
spent quite a few years playing in the U.S. Air Force before retiring and becoming a freelance trombonist.
Your Check's in the Mail
is his third CD as a leader (and second release for
OA2
), leading a number of Portland-based musicians through a solid mix of
standards
, both well known and obscure
jazz
compositions, along with a few originals by the band, all arranged by
Bock
. The breezy treatment of
Thad Jones
'
"Ain't Nothin' New"
and smoldering take of
Joe Henderson
's
"Jinriksha"
bring two neglected gems back to the forefront. The
Latin
scoring of
"On Green Dolphin Street"
is a bit more contemporary in sound, utilizing electric bass and keyboards, though there's nothing light about the leader's powerful solo. Tuba player
Jat Tik Clark
and the presence of
George Mitchell
on organ make for decidedly funky
"A Night in Tunisia."
The familiar standard
"I'll Remember April"
enters new territory by incorporating a catchy new riff and a bit of dissonance between the brass and reeds.
's richly textured
"Crystal's Waltz"
demonstrates his gift for ensemble arranging, though the band's solos are also of merit. Saxophonist
Renato Caranto
contributed the driving
post-bop
blues
"Your Check's in the Mail,"
while the full band is credited with the fun-filled closer
"The Godfather,"
a funky tribute to the late
James Brown
. Recommended. ~ Ken Dryden