STEPHEN MARTIN QUARTET - High Plains
0A2 RECORDS 22197
Stephen Martin (ts,ss); Peter Schlamb (p,vib); Ben Leifer (b); David Hawkins (d)
Recorded Kansas City 18-20 May 2021.
Leader Martin has a tendency to play mostly in the upper register of his instruments. He can play in a rather soft focus, lyrical manner, as he does on the opening ‘Horizons,’ written by his bass player. This is a medium tempo piece which builds steadily by the quartet. As to ‘The Void,’ written by Martin, the tenor sax sound is very much in a Coltrane bag. The saxophonist is inspired by Coltrane performances in the early 1960s, as is made clear in the liner note but I would add that he is also strongly influenced by some late Trane music, as is evident on more than one track. His sound is more his own on ‘Easy Living,’ where he plays smooth soprano sax.
Benny Golson’s ‘Stablemates,’ finds the tenor man more relaxed as he improvises on the familiar jazz theme. Here though he is up staged somewhat by a striking Bobby Watson alto solo in which his guest shows just how original and personal a sound can be in the hands of an original improvisor. Another guest, Matt Otto on tenor sax plays a lively solo on his own composition ‘Euphony.’ As to Stephen Martin, ‘Punjab,’ has one of his best solos where he plays straight ahead tenor without undue influences creeping in from other players. There is certainly no attempt to sound like Joe Henderson on his piece. Drummer Hawkins and Leifer on bass provide a consistently driving rhythmic backdrop throughout. On his only extended solo though, Hawkins sounds as though he has studied the heavy bass drum and poly rhythmic Elvin Jones style a little too closely for comfort. Apart from the undue reliance on taking on other musician’s styles of playing, this is a steady hour of mainstream jazz played with spirit.
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
0A2 RECORDS 22197
Stephen Martin (ts,ss); Peter Schlamb (p,vib); Ben Leifer (b); David Hawkins (d)
Recorded Kansas City 18-20 May 2021.
Leader Martin has a tendency to play mostly in the upper register of his instruments. He can play in a rather soft focus, lyrical manner, as he does on the opening ‘Horizons,’ written by his bass player. This is a medium tempo piece which builds steadily by the quartet. As to ‘The Void,’ written by Martin, the tenor sax sound is very much in a Coltrane bag. The saxophonist is inspired by Coltrane performances in the early 1960s, as is made clear in the liner note but I would add that he is also strongly influenced by some late Trane music, as is evident on more than one track. His sound is more his own on ‘Easy Living,’ where he plays smooth soprano sax.
Benny Golson’s ‘Stablemates,’ finds the tenor man more relaxed as he improvises on the familiar jazz theme. Here though he is up staged somewhat by a striking Bobby Watson alto solo in which his guest shows just how original and personal a sound can be in the hands of an original improvisor. Another guest, Matt Otto on tenor sax plays a lively solo on his own composition ‘Euphony.’ As to Stephen Martin, ‘Punjab,’ has one of his best solos where he plays straight ahead tenor without undue influences creeping in from other players. There is certainly no attempt to sound like Joe Henderson on his piece. Drummer Hawkins and Leifer on bass provide a consistently driving rhythmic backdrop throughout. On his only extended solo though, Hawkins sounds as though he has studied the heavy bass drum and poly rhythmic Elvin Jones style a little too closely for comfort. Apart from the undue reliance on taking on other musician’s styles of playing, this is a steady hour of mainstream jazz played with spirit.
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
