The Tennessee tenor saxophonist Bennie Wallace brings his inimitable playing to these timeless eight tracks that recruit an all star cast of players, some of which he's played with for decades.
“Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho” starts with Wallace's animated sax prowess alongside Herlin Riley's vivid drumming and percussion that fuel the rhythmic landscape. “Srubie” then follows with Anthony Wilson's playful guitar stabs that suit the rich sax and crisp drumming.
Getting close to the middle, “How Insensitive” is a calmer moment that's heartfelt and blends the guitar with a calm rhythm section and Donald Vega's meticulous piano playing, while “Tennessee Waltz” takes that a step further with a sublime intimacy that tugs on the heartstrings.
Side B opens with the lively spirit of “Handcuffs”, where Simon Moullier's colorful vibes add much to the textured climate, before “These Foolish Things” takes a sharp turn into an emotive and romantic mood guided by Wallace's lovely sax.
Coming in second to last, “Desafinado” blends the sextet's chemistry with a stylish and dynamic appeal, where Peter Washington's bass won't go unnoticed, and “'Round Midnight” exits with a gentle ambience via the soothing vibes and soulful sax.
The album was captured across two days and was recorded direct to two track analog by James Farber, which instills a cozy, spontaneous and high quality analog sound that makes already great tunes even that much more alluring.
A listening experience that captures jazz in its purest form, this is just 6 musicians in a room, all playing live to tape. No edits, no trickery, no AI, no fluff. Just time honored music that sounds as great today as it would in 1958 from an artist whose tenor sax playing is worldly adored and celebrated.
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