Posi-Tone Records is carving out a nice niche for itself by developing a fine catalog of mainstream jazz by up and coming musicians. Mike DiRubbo is an alto saxophonist with a nice dark and burnished tone that is framed well on this album by Brian Charette on organ and Rudy Royston on drums. This is not your average bluesy organ and saxophone date, although the music does come up through the tradition and is very accessible. Particularly interesting is the storming “Rituals" where the music builds to a feverish pitch with the leader over-blowing like Kenny Garrett or Jackie McLean at their most intense in a very impressive performance. But straight-ahead jazz is the order of the day with songs like “Eight for Elvin" and the enjoyable set ending bossa nova Viva O Rio De Janeiro, which finds the group grooving along in a sultry manner and suggests new vistas waiting to be explored on future dates. This was a solid and well done mainstream jazz date, of particular interest to organ/sax devotees, but amenable to all who enjoy subtle well played music. Chronos—amazon.com
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