Overview:
This is another great album by Ted Nash featuring Ted on alto sax, Ron Horton on trumpet, Paul Sikivie on bass, and Ulyssses Owens on drums. I was not familiar with the band other than Nash prior to the release. I am flat out impressed with everyone, but in particular the bass player and drummer just kill. These guys are young rising stars for sure. Trumpeter Horton, has a real nice muting technique that he does with his hand rather than a mute, which sounds just beautiful and conjures up memories of Ellington's "The Mooche". I hope Ted sticks with this lineup for at least one more album. The pianoless quartet is probably inspired by Ornette Coleman. Ted has been working on a movie where he was tasked with writing some "ornette like" tunes. The "plastic sax" tunes are from this work. "The Creep", and "Burnt Toast And Avocado" have wild bass lines that I just love. Ted is a great writer, great arranger, great player. I don't understand why he doesn't get more hype. I'd love to see many more releases from him. This album gets my highest recomendation.