Sal La Rocca: Consenso

On Consenso, his second album as leader, Belgian-born bassist Sal La Rocca's close-knit quintet takes dead aim at nine original compositions and generally nails its target with a minimum of hardship or unease.

As no composer credits are given, the assumption is that the themes are La Rocca's. Most are favorably nestled in a post-bop framework that suits the ensemble well, and no one is less than well-spoken in pursuit of their plan and purpose. At the same time, there is not much here that rises above the level of pleasant or agreeable, an impression that applies as well to the soloists, even though nothing is insecure or out of place. They simply play well while leaving few indelible footprints.

Trombonist Phil Abraham and saxophonist Steven Delannoye are heard most often, with Delannoy's biting tenor showcased on the upbeat "Ritornello." He plays soprano on the emphatic opener (and title song) and the fast-paced "No Entiendo," tenor the rest of the way (and fares slightly better on soprano). Abraham, for his part, sounds much like a myriad of contemporary trombonists who couldn't be singled out in a lineup. Pianist Igor Gehenot (another capable soloist) introduces the leisurely "Song for R.B.," while the "Intro" to "Freedom of Thought" is an affable minute-long bass solo by La Rocca. "Thought" itself is a serpentine showpiece for the quintet, which handles its arduous changes with ease.

There are no solos on "A Forgotten Life," a melancholy anthem that flows deliberately forward to make way for the album's brisk and melodic finale, "Not Rated." And speaking of "rated," the session as a whole is rated here as good but a trace less than special; in other words, nothing to turn heads or raise eyebrows, simply five pretty good musicians facing a series of pretty good charts and playing them pretty well. That should be good enough to please many listeners.