Marty Ehrlich's Traveler's Tales: Malinke's Dance

Malinke’s Dance represents the first release by Ehrlich’s “Traveler’s Tales” in seven years yet the overall results meet or perhaps exceed what most of us would anticipate. From the onset of the albums opener, “Rhymes”, Ehrlich and Malaby signify an extremely potent twin sax attack as they pursue lustrous lyricism and extended soloing atop a mid-tempo yet powerful swing vamp. Here and throughout, Previte and Harris display their signature styles in assertive fashion as years of shedding and being in the trenches dispels staggering chops and shrewd exchanges as they artfully kick the overall proceedings into overdrive on more than a few occasions.

The musician’s tackle the late, great Julius Hemphill’s “Pigskin” featuring bright choruses that give way to Harris’ imaginative employment of harmonics and rhythmic plucking as he alters the primary theme along with Previte’s stinging support. That and more equates to a winning formula as Malinke’s Dance is a splendid reentry into the modern jazz scene from a band who continually garner the utmost respect from the often discerning listener.

* * * * ½ (out of * * * * *)