Noah Becker: Mode for Noah

Alto saxophonist Noah Becker guides a splendid trio of western Canadian sidemen through their paces on Mode for Noah, which consists of seven of his original compositions.

Becker's music is glossy and well-balanced, as are his solos, which, to his credit, do not quickly bring to mind any of his contemporaries. He plays mostly without vibrato, like Lee Konitz or Paul Desmond, among others, but without their singular voice or peerless artistry. Becker is simply quite good at what he does, whether writing or playing, which can be said of a large number of present-day musicians. To put it another way, even though Becker plays well, there is nothing in his arsenal to set him above or apart from many other first-class musicians.

Having said that, Mode for Noah (also the album's opening number) is consistently bright and engaging, thanks in part to Becker's supporting cast who provide sturdy backing throughout. Among the more pleasant surprises is Brent Jarvis who plays Fender Rhodes on every number and is always impressive. Bassist Kosma Busheikin and drummer Graham Villette also pull their weight, giving the quartet solidity and consonance.

There is not much to say about Becker's themes aside from the observation that they are pleasant enough without leaving any lasting impression. Faint praise, perhaps, yet far more positive than its opposite—which is an apt description of the album as a whole. Nothing approaching exceptional, perhaps, and yet nothing that is tiresome or displeasing either.