Bryan Bowman: Like Minds

Drummer and composer Bryan Bowman creates his recording debut with Like Minds, a well-executed set of eleven original compositions falling into the contemporary jazz category with a strong foundation of post-bop. Bowman's quintet is comprised of: Bob Kenmotsu on tenor saxophone, Ian Carey on trumpet and flugelhhorn, Matt Clark on piano and Doug Miller on bass. Opening with an up-tempo, be-bopish number entitled "Pick You Up," Bowman shows his chops with a style that is a cross between Jeff Tain Watts and Max Roach. His playing is conversational and seems to drive each soloist to new areas of exploration. Carey, Kenmotsu and Clark all spin out great solos and the result is an exciting start to a stirring project. "The Undone" is an interesting waltz that finds Bowman granting solo space to everyone, including himself as he conveys strong musical ideas and development all with chops to spare.

Bowman's penned post-bop original "Other One," keeps the energy alive and moving with an interesting set of changes that encourage Carey and Kenmotsu to dig deep for melodic and harmonic colors, which they do in multitude. The group settles in on a nice swing feel with the medium tempo blues number set to an angular melody titled, "Baloo's." Miller fingers an inventive solo followed by Clark and Kenmotsu. Bowman then trades fours with Carey; leading to Carey soloing and taking the head out, adding up to a highlight track on the disc.

Bowman has a robust debut release with Like Minds, strong in the tradition of post-bop with a cast of players that work well together and bring unique perspectives to Bowman's excellent compositions. One can certainly liken this recording to the sound of the Jazz Messengers, yet still retaining its own originality with a few surprising twists.