Color: Voicemeal

Robert Spencer

CD/DVD Reviewer since 1997

Recent articles (267 total)

Published: December 1, 1999

Color is a trio with a huge sound, as all three players have tremendous arsenals at their command. This is an intriguing hybrid: straight-ahead jazz, balladry, funk, even some elements of post-Ayler playing. Most of these elements can be found here and there on each of these tracks.

Tenor and soprano saxophonist Matt Langley can play with delicate melodic precision ("Voicemeal," "Full Mooner") as well as let it rip into the stratosphere ("Another Deadline"). Keyboardist Chris Decato can play straight-ahead piano comping as well as shift off into the misty watercolored sound edges. Drummer Jamie Decato supplies immense power.

The mastery of each musician is clear on "B Phyrg," a track that builds from an ethereal, note-bending soprano opening by Langley, with Jamie sitting out, into a piece of power funk enlivened by Langley's surprise-laden soloing. Even though a good bit of this disc tends toward jazz-funk beats, the three - especially Langley - never fall into the grip of cliché.

Color is a trio of extraordinary talent that has created here a disc full of excellent music.

Personnel:

Matt Langley, ts, ss; Chris Decato, kybds; Jamie Decato, d.

Track listing: Jamie's Jump / Another Deadline / B Phryg / Voicemeal / Full Mooner / Stoney Lonesome.

Record Label: Ultra-Sound
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream