Daggerboard: The Skipper and Mike Clark

The rhythm section—more specifically, bassist Henry "The Skipper" Franklin and drummer Mike Clark—is front and center on the fourth recording by San Francisco Bay-area Daggerboard, the brainchild of trumpeter Erik Jekabson and percussionist Gregory Howe, who have enlisted a large array of supporting actors to help refine and sharpen their unique musical vision.

That includes a four-member string section on three of the album's ten numbers, two of which ("Tanzanian Skies," the closing "Ruaha Daybreak") were written by Franklin. Musically, Daggerboard relies heavily on mellow atmospheric themes whose shifting tempos and varying instrumental makeup are designed to entice rather than seize the listener's ear. "Free Lancer," Track nine's bold and rapid change of pace is an exception to the rule, skipping merrily forward on the wings of lively solos by Franklin and the Clarks (Mike and pianist Matt).

Elsewhere, the tempo is far more low-key, as Daggerboard scans the depth and nuances of Howe and Jekabson's lissome and spacious compositions. Saxophonist Dave Ellis lends weight and color to "Changing Emphasis," "Brother Ranelin" and "A Pride in the Prairie," while vibraphonist Dillon Vado does the same on "Runnin Into One" and "Ranelin." Others heard along the way or in the group include percussionist Babatunde Lea, guitarists Dave MacNab (featured on "Tranquil Blue") and Ross Howe, French hornist Jonathan Ring, saxophonist Matt Renzi, clarinetist Sheldon Brown and trombonist Mike Rinta. As for the strings, they barely make a difference on "Desierto de Tabernas," "Street Sheik" or "Tranquil Blue" save for sharing the melody on the last two.

Even so, everyone plays his part well in a tableau inspired in part by the celebrated partnership of Miles Davis and Gil Evans, which also leaned most often on understated melodic and rhythmic concepts to make its point. While Franklin and Mike Clark are an integral part of the enterprise, they are far less than central to its mission, which is to build on the foundation established by Davis and Evans and bring something fresh and valid to the table. The measure of their success rests on the viewpoint and awareness of those who listen.