David Gibson: End Of The Tunnel

The second release for trombonist David Gibson's quartet, End Of The Tunnel, is a return to the ever popular soul-jazz genre. As with his previous disc, A Little Somethin' (Posi-Tone, 2009), Gibson and organist Jared Gold share a love for that infectious 1960s organ combo sound.

This disc also continues with the same lineup, and why not keep going? The music just feels so good; a sound that began in African-American churches but was ultimately incorporated into night clubs acts by the likes of Jimmy Smith, Big John Patton, Jimmy McGriff, Baby Face Willette and Jack McDuff.

Soul-jazz music also had an influence beyond clubs, as this recording reflects. The opening track, Herbie Hancock's "Blind Man, Blind Man," sizzles, with Gibson playing the role of trombonist Grachan Moncur III from the original. The band has a flair for the slow burn, and Gibson follows up with a piece of Head Hunter groove, mimicking Hancock's "Chameleon" with his own "Wasabi." The quartet keeps one foot in the '60s, the other steps in territory currently held by Stanton Moore's funk band Galactic.

Gibson's writing and arrangements bring the music back to the sanctified with the balladic "A Place Of Our Own" and serves up a mini-tribute to Horace Silver on "Preachin." Giving the nod to Julius Tolentino on "The In-Whim," the alto saxophonist takes an impressive outward pass at the track, before the band quiets down for the Gibson's soulful turn taken.

The disc ends with Jackie McLean's "Blue Rondo," as Gibson once again picks up Moncur's trombone line and trades licks with Tolentino before drummer Quincy Davis' solo on a disc filled with plenty of sizzle and pop.

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