Greg Osby: Channel Three (2005)

Jim Santella

Senior Contributor since 1997

Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

Recent articles (1,677 total)

Published: August 12, 2005

The freedom that saxophonist Greg Osby exhibits on Channel Three allows him to create openly without clutter. The harmony comes through overlapping tones, as saxophone and bass converse and drummer Jeff Watts echoes with various textures. You can even feel the pitches coming from his drum set.

Working without a pianist, the trio opens up. Sustained notes between phrases have to be supplied as a part of their action. There's no room to lay back. Each of the three artists pushes full force from start to finish. Both minimalist and moody, the trio's performance delivers a positive glow that reflects the modern in modern jazz.

The first piece, "Mob Job," is by Ornette Coleman, and the last, "Miss Ann," is by Eric Dolphy. In between, Osby's originals take the trio on a journey through inner space. "Viewer Discretion" is powerful and muscular; "Fine Tuning" is light and gay; "Channel Three" is soothing and comfortable.

Osby's approach varies from one piece to the next in order to belie specific impressions. However, his unpredictable sprit carries the trio to majestic heights through its remarkable driving force. Mallets fly, bass walks with a spot-on discernment, and saxophone roams the landscape with a chip on his shoulder. Osby turns in one of the best performances of his career. His lack of restraint combines with the trio's cohesive interplay for a superb outing.

"Please Stand By," a personal favorite, places the three artists in a rhythmic groove that's bolstered by virtuosic alto saxophone epithets. Osby and his musical partners capture the spirit of jazz's modern mainstream with their complex rhythmic undercurrents and outwardly pleasant melodic conceptions.

Visit Greg Osby on the web.

Track Listing: Mob Job; Vertical Hold; Viewer Discretion; Diode Emissions; Fine Tuning; Please Stand By; Channel Three; Test Pattern; Miss Ann.

Personnel: Greg Osby: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone on "Channel Three," "Miss Ann" and "Diode Emissions;" Matt Brewer: bass; Jeff "Tain" Watts: drums, percussion.

Record Label: Blue Note Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream