Customer Reviews

Blueslike

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For nearly a decade "One For All" has been a torch bearer for swinging jazz rooted in the hard bop style, building on but never being a mere clone of groups like Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and Max Roach's groups of the '50's and 60's. Their latest CD, "Blueslike" on Criss Cross is a fine, though perhaps unexceptional addition to the group's growing discography.

The program is nicely balanced between familiar jazz standards such as "Naima", "Giant Steps", and "Till There Was You", and originals by band members such as the opening "Five Outs to Go" by Steve Davis, Eric Alexander's lovely ballad, "Yasashiku," and the memorably swinging title tune by David Hazeltine. All the tunes have been carefully arranged to grab and keep the listener's attention and to set up solos by the band members.

Tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander may be the best known group member and he plays well here in his familiar style, though he is certainly one among equals. Jim Rotondi's flowing trumpet improvisations and pianist David Hazeltine's harmonic ideas are always a delight. I've always thought the key to the band's sound was trombonist Steve Davis whose full sound adds depth to the ensemble. He is an excellent soloist as well, and really shines on the uptempo "Till There Was You," which is definitely a highlight of the CD.

There is much to enjoy about the CD, but a couple of reservations keep me from giving it the top rating. The recording quality is a bit flat and lacks the brightness I've heard on other CD's by this group. Also, Joe Farnsworth's drums seem too far back in the mix (especially for a hard bop session), and Peter Washington's bass too far forward. As well, it sounds as if the band was occasionally struggling to get the inspiration level up to the highest level.

But overall, this is a solid and swinging hardbop session, and easily recommended to the many fans of "One for All."

Fans of bop will enjoy this CD. There is nothing watered down here. This is my first puchase of music by One for All but not my last. These guys are carrying on the traditon of straight ahead jazz when we are hearing less and less of this style.
Like the above reviewer I would mention that we don't have the best sonics on this recording. The merit of this CD is in the music and not the engineering.