John Fedchock: Hit The Bricks

His two big band albums are terrific. Now trombonist John Fedchock leads a quartet on a session that incorporates ballads with up-tempo romps and fresh originals with existing compositions. Three tracks add trumpet and tenor saxophone for a larger sound. The title track comes from Fedchock's vast experience, placing a big band chart in the hands of a sextet. Driving with a hard-nosed direction, the sextet covers the territory well. Kenny Barron's "Twilight" stands out as another high point of the album, with Fedchock's buttery trombone tone pushing a deliberate tempo. In 3/4 time, "Giant Steps" runs amok like a busy, intellectually occupied parody of "My Favorite Things." "Brazilian Fantasy" lays it out gently like a walk on the beach, while Fedchock's "Cool Customer," another session high point, lets loose with a Count Basie big band swing. Never one to pull any punches, John Fedchock has made a subtle change in direction while keeping the central focus of his music at its trombone-lover's best.