Don Friedman Quartet: Match Point

A Pleasant Diversion. I often think that all music is good, but some of it is better. Match Point is well-conceived and performed collection of standards and originals assembled by journeyman pianist Don Friedman. Friedman is an old had having played with the West Coast likes of Dexter Gordon, Shorty Rogers, Chet Baker, and Buddy DeFranco as well as a score of recordings under his own leadership. Joining Friedman is tenorist Tom Butts. Butts is a dry martini of Stan Getz, Lester Young, and Dexter Gordon. His tone is full and warm with modest vibrato and broad range. Drummer Frank Ferreri and bassist Gary Mazzaroppi round out the rhythm section.

The cuts of note on this disc include a strolling take on Lester Young's "Tickle Toes", a slow Tad Dameron's "If you Could See me Now", and a lazy "Time After Time" (with some fine Alyse Levy vocals). Butts' dry tenor is a perfect mate to Friedman's intelligent and swinging playing. Friedman's compositions are smart and sassy, exuding hubris common to the Hard Bop he is promoting. Match Point is a good disc in an ocean of good discs. Not heads and shoulders above, but still worth a listen. Enjoy.