1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
neat rarity, November 2, 2007
This review is from: In Montana (Audio CD)
Jack Walrath is perhaps best known for being Mingus' late-period trumpeter. Unfortunately, that honor won't get you too far, and that's why this 1980 CD is an unknown. Walrath recorded this with some Montana jazz friends. Rather than being an anonymous back-up group, saxophonist Chuck Florence, pianist Chuck Nell, bassist Kelly Roberty and drummer Jim Honaker contribute heartily to the playing and writing. The music is post-bop with the occasional free, modern flourish. The songs mostly have catchy melodies, and vary in tempo and mood. "Lodgelian Mode" starts things off with a bang, for example, and "Where Have I Been Before" features some pretty playing by Walrath. The melody of "Grey And Blue" reminds me of Ornette Coleman's "European Echos" with its chaotic skipping around. "At Home In Rome" sounds like a catchy theme from mid-60's Horace Silver. The soloing is good throughout by all hands. I recommend this CD, it's a bit of a change of pace from getting (for example) another 50-60's Blue Note.
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