Steve Slagle: Alto Manhattan
BySlagle is heard alone wistfully soloing over the whole of Johnny Green's "Body & Soul," the first of three tracks not composed by the altoist. Slagle's serpentine runs quizzically explore all the registers of the alto saxophone. McCoy Tyner's modal "Inception" which first appeared on his 1962 debut album, here gradually transmutes into a minor blues. The affecting ballad "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry," the third and final non-original number in this set is followed by the breezy "A.M." which again features Joe Lovano on tenor. "Holiday," a light and airy paean to the late Toots Thielemans sees Slagle appearing here on flute and joined by Lovano on mezzo soprano sax.
The final number "Viva La Famalia" with Slagle once more on flute, has a relaxed Latin feel and is constructed over a simple obligato bass line, at times redolent of some of Herbie Mann's extemporised pieces, rendering it as a satisfying conclusion to a very good album.
Track Listing
Family; Alto Manhattan; I Know That You Know; Body & Soul; Inception; Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry; A.M. ; Holiday (In Memory of Toots Thielemans); Viva La Famalia.
Personnel
Steve Slagle: alto saxophone, flute; Joe Lovano: tenor saxophone (tracks 1 & 7), G mezzo soprano (track 8); Lawrence Fields: piano; Gerald Cannon: bass; Roman Diaz: congas (tracks 1,8 & 9); Bill Stewart: drums.
Album information
Title: Alto Manhattan | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Panorama Records
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Instrument: Saxophone, alto
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