Jalen Baker: Be Still

Tenor saxophonist and record executive Cory Weeds presents another album in the series of releases by up-and-coming black artists, to give them a voice which might not otherwise be heard. In this case, the artist is vibraphonist Jalen Baker; he and his frequent collaborators, pianist Paul Cornish, bassist Gabriel Godoy and drummer Gavin Moolchan, run through some songs which have been both inspirational and representational to Baker as his career has developed.

The opening number "T'Was" is a Baker original which may have a rough texture, but never tempers his exploratory instincts. The title track "Be Still," another Baker number, builds on his musical instincts, and demonstrates his expressive flexibility and the steadfastness of his band-mates. The four have enjoyed a cohesive unity despite their disparate Houston backgrounds.

Moving on to a couple of originals from acknowledged jazz greats—namely Bobby Hutcherson's "Herzog" and Joe Henderson's "Jinrikisha"—allows the young talents to show they have a solid footing in modern jazz; they do not disappoint. The former is a swinger propelled by Moolchan's drumming and the rock-solid big- tone bass of Godoy. Baker runs the bars in a single-note style with prickly proficiency, while the pianist Cornish delivers a sharp attack during his interjection. On the latter, after a straight-forward opening line, the bassist Godoy takes a solo of several choruses which exhibits his command of timbre and texture. Throughout the chart, the band delivers on the notion that they are unfailing creative partners.

The closer is the Johnny Green classic "Body And Soul," offered in a traditional ballad tempo; Baker lays out the easily recognizable melody with lots of reverb from the vibraphone, leading to Godoy's big sound solo effort. Overall it is a sensitive and articulate reading of the composition and a fitting conclusion to this release.

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