Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Tom Caraher: Ninety Degrees
Tom Caraher: Ninety Degrees
ByFrom the contrafact of Wayne Shorter's "Yes or No" that engendered the feisty funk of opener "Maybe" to the Weather Report-inspired ballad of the title track, the spirit of Shorter, Joe Zawinul and the behemoth of all '70s jazz- fusion bands looms large. The latter composition evokes the emotional tenor of Zawinul's "A Remark You Made"with caressing solos from electric bassist Barry Donohue, trombonist Paul Dunlea and Caraher. The former, despite its borrowings, sounds more personal; it bears Caraher's stamp of contemporary double-time rhythmscourtesy of Donohue and drummer Shane O'Donovan and upbeat horns.
One of the album's strengths is Caraher's ability to mold past influences to his artistic vision. "Call The Cops!" may be loosely inspired by the melody of "Caravan"the Juan Tizol tune immortalized by Duke Ellington's orchestrabut the lithe funk grooves and snaking tenor saxophone owe more to Chris Potter's Underground. Darragh O'Kelly's Fender Rhodes riffing is central to the vibe on this head-bobber. There is something of Bob James' deft touch in the keyboard player's comping throughout the set, but on the occasions when he stretches out, notably on "Racecourse Waltz," the language is post-bop: probing, yet elegantly measured.
The one genuine cover version sees the quintet deliver a rhythmically snappynay, mischievously off-kiltertake of The Beatles' "Michelle." Ramping the original 4/4 time up to 7/8like something Charlie Parker might have done had he lived another decade Caraher underlines jazz's seemingly endless ability to mint new coin from old gold. The slow-grooving "Then, Again" features lilting solos from Dunlea and Caraher. It has the feel of lazy summer evenings shared with friends and closes an engaging album on a warm, uplifting note.
There is more than enough evidence on this platter of Caraher's talents as a fine melodicist and purveyor of intricate, feel-good grooves. It raises the hope of further offerings from the Berklee graduatehopefully in the not-too-distant future.
Track Listing
Maybe; Ninety Degrees; Call The Cops!; Racecourse Waltz; Michelle; Then, Again.
Personnel
Tom Caraher
saxophone, tenorPaul Dunlea
tromboneDarragh O'Kelly
keyboardsBarry Donohue
bassShane O'Donovan
drumsAlbum information
Title: Ninety Degrees | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Self Produced
Tags
Comments
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Support All About Jazz
