This CD features a quiet quartet that is often filled with inner tension and low-volumed heat. Bassist
Dave Young engages in close interplay with guitarist
Rob Piltch (whose tone is sometimes reminiscent of the late
Jimmy Raney's),
Phil Dwyer contributes lyrical tenor solos and some moody piano (sometimes sounding a bit like
McCoy Tyner on the latter instrument) while drummer
Michel Lambert is fine in support. Five of the nine songs are originals by bandmembers while the other pieces (including an abstract "All of Me" and a rather passionless version of
Charles Mingus's "Fables of Faubus") almost sound like new compositions; the closing tenor-bowed bass duet on "Whims of Chambers" is most memorable. If the overall results on this session are are not all that unique, the well-played set does serve as a a good example of today's modern mainstream acoustic jazz and should satisfy most listeners. ~ Scott Yanow