Jeremy Pelt is a very talented trumpeter with a large sound and a creative style influenced by
Freddie Hubbard and
Woody Shaw. On
Identity, the music ranges from early-'70s
Miles Davis-type fusion ("Eye of the Beholder" and "Scorpio") to a fiery tradeoff with vibraphonist
Warren Wolf ("Angular"), from moody ballads with lots of space and
Pelt's muted horn to post-bop romps. Joined by a rhythm section that includes the many keyboards of
Frank LoCrasto with occasional contributions from
Wolf and
Myron Walden on soprano and bass clarinet,
Pelt is the main star throughout this project. None of his ten originals are destined to become standards in the future, but his playing is versatile, inventive, and filled with fresh ideas. ~ Scott Yanow