Peter Smith Quartet: Blue & Green

The standards come off well, despite the Latin modulation. Would Monk have twirled, arms akimbo, to the opening sway of “Bye-Ya”? He may well have heeded the beckoning before Smith shifts into an angular trajectory on the tenor though Marcus Chonsky continues to ring in a bright rhythm on percussion. “Blue in Green” opens its hues on the pristine acoustic guitar of Kevin Laliberté, his notes gentle and clean. Smith evokes the imagery further with a slightly breathy tenor that he chomps on for a harder tone along the way. However, they tend to be a tad too respectful towards “Manha de Carnaval”; a little looseness would have helped carry the tune better.

Of the originals, “Carrie” has not only a captivating melody, it flows like a rippling brook on a sunny day and “Perfect Fit" has an effervescence enlivened by Smith on the flute and some solid excursions from Drew Birston on bass, Laliberté completing the weave with some lyrical spells on the guitar.

Visit PoteSmote Music on the web.

Comments