Adam Lane Quartet: Fo(u)r Being(s) (2002)

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

Recent articles (1,629 total)

Published: November 20, 2002

With this release, bassist Adam Lane and his all-star band perpetuate a series of frothy grooves spanning free-bop, a jazz waltz and vigorous improvisational forays. Here, drummer Barry Altschul and Lane provide the often tumultuous rhythms. A rather gleeful in-your-face approach it is, no doubt about it.

Saxophonist John Tchicai and trumpeter Paul Smoker ride atop pulsating swing beats and rollicking pulses with pungent unison choruses. In addition, the soloists perform as though some sort of spiritualized trance overcame them. Lane's quartet provide a multidimensional program, bursting with heated exchanges and climactically oriented motifs. On "Without Being," Smoker improvises atop the rhythm section's swirling undercurrents. The band is afforded optimum solo space throughout this superb outing. To that end, Lane&'s quartet supplies added credence to notions of how exciting modern jazz can be, especially when communicated through the hearts and minds of four masters.

Track Listing: Intonations for Being; In the center of the earth, looking for Mike ; House of Elegant; Without Being; It happened to us naturally; The Band Is.

Personnel: Adam Lane: bass; John Tchicai: tenor saxophone, vocals; Paul Smoker: trumpet; Barry Altschul: drums.

Record Label: CIMP Records
Style: Modern Jazz