Gregg August Sextet: One Peace

Bassist Gregg August is a dynamic and vastly underrated arranger and composer. On One Peace he enhances a hard bop template with complex chord structures, layering of inimitable horn arrangements and echoes from other musical genres.

On "Nastissimo for example, trumpeter John Bailey, altoist Myron Walden and tenor man Stacy Dillard play almost mournfully over the quicksilver vamp by August, pianist Luis Perdomo and drummer EJ Strickland. "One for Louis" showcases Bailey, who plays throughout with a strong, even tone, whether whispering or soaring. Perdomo's electric piano and Walden's alto work beautifully on the Latin-styled "Modal Tune, while "In Dedication is a gorgeous ballad that melds hard bop and big band sensibilities. The sleek "Crescent Mood has a "Caravan type of feel, driven by Yosvany Terry's wonderful tenor, and Mike Lowenstern's stellar bass clarinet work on the Middle Eastern-flavored "Cascading gives the song a mysterious dimension.

Another thing that makes August's composing so intriguing is that one never knows how a tune will go. The dazzling "Sixth Finger" opens with a private-eye theme and then a swirling horn crescendo transforms the tune into a burner, with Yosvany Terry's Cain-raising tenor leading the charge.

August's tunes leave ample room for singular expression and his band mates take full advantage of their moments on center stage. One Peace is not an album of mere by-the-numbers mimicry and the challenges issued by his composing bring out the best in every player on this excellent work.