A solid mainstream quartet date by tenor saxophonist
Larry Schneider, featuring
Andy LaVerne on piano, Steve LaSpina on bass, and
Matt Wilson on drums. The date begins unassumingly, with the melody of "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" stated in nonchalant half-time. It doesn't take
Schneider long to start tearing up the changes, exhibiting a tough, modern tone that brings to mind more famous players like
Dave Liebman and
Bob Berg. The group then explores "Old Folks" at a rubato pace, ultimately agreeing on a ballad tempo, then yielding the floor to
Schneider for a well-earned cadenza. The program goes on to include a fierce bossa rendition of "Star Eyes" with a modal vamp inserted into the form, an unusually bright "Israel," and two crisp
LaVerne originals: "Inner Voice" and "Portrait of Dorian Mode" (the latter patterned after "How Deep Is the Ocean"). Recommended. ~ David R. Adler