CODA MAY JUNE 2006 327

Hey, Look Me Over The Harry Allen-Joe Cohn Quartet Arbors ARCD 19333

Like Zoot Sims, Harry Allen possesses a natural sense of time and his music just flows. (In his first gig he replaced Zoot at a studio recording session.) Here the tenor player is teamed with his long-term associate, guitarist Joe Cohn, plus Joel Forbes on bass and drummer Chuck Riggs. The result is infectious and assertive swing.

Starting with the Stan Getz favorite, "With the Wind and the Rain in Your Hair," there's intuitive communication within the quartet and plenty of momentum provided as they trade fours, twos and ones. Cohn, son of Zoot's buddy Al, bought along three of his dad's compositions: the wistful bossa nova,"Danielle" and two high-flyers, "Take Four" and "Travisimo." On the intros and endings of those last two Allen and Cohn sound like a single instrument. Allen's oh-so-slow "I'll Only Miss Her When I Think of Her" evokes Ben Webster while the title track, usually a Broadway flag-waver, is given an imaginative laid-back treatment. "It's Been a Long Long Time" and "Seven Come Eleven" have both soloists in overdrive. Allen's composition,"Get Out" is easy-going and the contrapuntal take on "Pick Yourself Up" would delight Bach.

A stimulating small group swing session and a shoo-in for my 2006 Top 10.

CODA 328 July Aug 2006

Brad Goode Quartet Hypnotic Suggestion Delmark DE-567

"Hypnotic Suggestion" is the inventive product of trumpeter Brad Goode and a rhythm section of Adrean Farrugia, Kelly Sill and Dana Hall. Except for pianist Farrugia, who hails from Hamilton, the players come from the Chicago jazz scene. Goode possesses a distinctive and clear tone, an ease in shifting between registers,and a very interesting bag of tricks. His four varied originals will capture your attention. On the title track he rides over the rhythm section's storm, which is eventually calmed by an intriguing Farrugia solo." Detroit Scene" is a surprisingly laid-back look at Motown while "I Can't Forget About You" recalls Miles. Goode combines a gritty tone and virtuoso speed in the funky "Just a Thought."

Goode's expressed intent is to apply the abstract to standard forms. He even applies abstract to abstract! Monk's "Bemsha Swing" features a thoughtful interpretation by Farrugia that goes beyond Monk. "Thinking of You" receives an uptempo exploration while Goode's trumpet on "Once Upon a Summertime" bring Chet's singing voice back to life. "Crazy Rhythm" is a humorous mix of slurs, smears, quotes and crazy rhythm.

Goode has deplored the homogenization of jazz. No such problem here; He is a master of the unexpected and a distinctive trumpeter.Listen to just one track,"Beautiful Love." You'll understand.

CODA 329 SEPT/OCT 2006 GERI ALLEN TIMELESS PORTRAITS AND DREAMS TELARC CD- 83645

The spirit of Mary Lou Williams, rooted in the black experience, lives on in Geri Allen. Allen's brilliance and strength in playing and creativity in composition communicates an innate spirituality which can be felt whether or not you are conventionally religious.

On her second Telarc release, Allen performs solo, with Ron Carter and Jimmy Cobb, and with the Atlanta Jazz Chorus and other guests. The title track, sung by Carmen Lundy, part of a forthcoming suite, speaks to connections. This CD connects spirituals, ("O Freedom," "Well Done" and Mary Lou's " I Have a Dream"), jazz and the blues. Bird is recognized in counterpoint, Lil Hardin with her beautiful composition, "Just a Thrill," and Billie Holiday with"Our Lady," an Allen blues that features the wistful muted trumpet of husband Wallace Roney. Ron Carter contributes his blues , "Nearly." and Allen and Roney are together again on their co-written "In Real Time." The trio's "Embraceable You" is an intriguing gem. Based on Herbie Hancock's harmonies, it clearly represents two degrees of separation from Gershwin.

Allen's eloquent liner notes declare that " at its most sincere and powerful embodiment, jazz is inhabited by those timeless influential ones who came before us." This is her tribute. Timeless!