Jon De Lucia Group: Face No Face

The beginning of "The Glass Bead Game is promising enough, with a lengthy David Binney-like riff carried by guitarist Nir Felder, bassist Garth Stevenson and drummer Ziv Ravitz. De Lucia's economical solo ultimately leads into a theme that's doubled by pianist Leo Genovese, acting as a rallying point for the second part, which is where it hits some trouble. It may have shifting bar lines, but it's still a conventional two-chord vamp, and even Felder's jagged solo can't save it from being overly ponderous. A third section where De Lucia duets with Genovese is more interesting, as the pianist proves an oblique foil to De Lucia's clear construction.

"Emptiness is altogether more satisfying, demonstrating a clearer group chemistry. The more open-ended nature of the piece allows the group to take considerable liberties as it moves from a bass ostinato supporting De Lucia's cerebral solo into a more swinging middle section that lets him shift gears. Ravitz and Genovese are particularly responsive. Felder's solo, beginning as a delicate duet with Ravitz, moves towards more angular territory once Stevenson and Genovese re-enter—reminiscent of Jack DeJohnette's mid-1970s New Rags (ECM, 1977) with John Abercrombie.

De Lucia's interest in the Far East is evident on the traditional "Edo Komoriuta, featuring guest Sumie Kaneko's koto and shamisen. Leading into "Yugen, Ravitz's mallet work and Stevenson's fluid lines find the nexus of Occident and Orient.

The energetic "The Open Eye should have closed the disc. De Lucia delivers his most passionate solo of the set, and Genovese sounds equally vibrant, while Felder ranges from Frisellian chordal work to a more direct post bop stance. The rhythm section is on fire throughout. But De Lucia and Genovese falter with a lacklustre duet of Harry Warren's "I Wish I Knew that diminishes the individuality demonstrated elsewhere.

Still, Face No Face has its moments. De Lucia and his fellow Berklee grads are worth following for the promise of their strengths, rather than being dismissed for their weaknesses.

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