Rating:
Genre:
Jazz
Release Date: 09/16/2008
Run Time: 0:00
Tenor saxophonist
Ralph Lalama is a veteran of many record dates as a sideman, though he has had relatively few opportunities to record as a leader, something that should be corrected.
Energy Fields is his first session of his own for a U.S. label, where the big-toned tenorist is well accompanied by guitarist
John Hart (a gifted soloist and leader who is also underrated), bassist
Rick Petrone, and drummer
Joe Corsello. They negotiate
Woody Shaw's post-bop masterpiece
"The Moontrane" with skill, as
Lalama soars with his potent horn. He adds a bit of dissonance to his explosive take of
Charlie Parker's blues riff
"Buzzy," sharing the solo spotlight with his musicians. The slightly funky take of the ballad
"Old Folks" provides a refreshing approach to this decades-old chestnut.
Lalama's majestic tone in the superb arrangements of
"Like Someone in Love" and the easygoing
"Indian Summer" recall
Dexter Gordon at the peak of his powers. The session is wrapped up with a majestic, magical rendition of
Alec Wilder's neglected ballad
"Blackberry Winter." ~Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
;)
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