Western Jazz Collective: Dark Journey: The Music of Andrew Rathbun

The Western Jazz Collective is a seven-member co-op group that actually hails from America's Midwest—more specifically, Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo—where the ensemble's crew serve as members of the faculty. The designation "Western" thus refers to the university rather than the septet's geographic location.

Be that as it may, what infuses and animates the Collective's debut album, Dark Journey, is the music, all of which was composed by the group's saxophonist-in-residence, Andrew Rathbun. There are nine songs in all, deftly performed by the group and its guest artist, percussionist Kevin "Bujo" Jones, and brightened at times by Greg Jasperse's wordless vocals. Rathbun's charts are melodically sure and rhythmically diverse, blending nuanced counterpoint and rigorous ensemble passages, and it is clear that he devoted considerable time and energy to their preparation and enhancement.

As for Rathbun's teammates, they are wholly in sync with his concepts and lend the music all the insight and expertise of which they are capable, individually and collectively. Having said that, it must be noted that even their best efforts fall narrowly short of unique or notable. That is not meant to imply that the finished product is less than acceptable, or that there are not moments of pleasure and inspiration, as there surely are. Rathbun is an impressive soloist, on tenor or soprano saxophone. Trumpeter Scott Cowan, pianist Matthew Fries and guitarist Matt Landon are also excellent sidemen for the project, while Fries, Landon, bassist John Hébert and drummer Keith Hall comprise a taut and responsive rhythm section.

In sum, the Western Jazz Collective has neatly and efficiently translated and performed the music of Andrew Rathbun, making Dark Journey shine as brightly as possible. Whether that is enough to earn an enthusiastic response is for the listener to decide. The verdict here is that the result is generally good but when taken as a whole a rather mixed bag.