Paul Serrato & Co.: Origami

Serrato has titled this album after the Japanese art of paper folding in which the respective folds and creases eventually results in a single object. His analogy with these compositions is that although using components of world music, the end product is blues- and jazz-oriented. I'm not so sure that all of this rationalization is necessary. With the exception of the final track, "I'm Starting All Over Again," with a vocal from gospel singer L.D. Frazier, all of the tunes have the same feel to them, which is a bluesy, mid-tempo suite in which there is minimal disruption of mood and pacing. Perhaps this could be a problem for listeners expecting a variety of style/tempo. However, I rather enjoy the moodpiece aspect that results. Returning to the above comparison, the session reminds me of the Manteca date on Prestige with the Red Garland Trio featuring Ray Barretto in 1958, which largely featured funky blues performances from the group, in addition to the up-tempo title track.

With the exception of the closing track, which does nothing to add to the origami of the finished product, Origami provides a fifty minute excursion into the urban landscape that Serrato describes. Reggie Pittman provides some excellent trumpet and flugelhorn statements helping to maintain an after hours feel, and Serrato sings the lyrics to "Corona Carlos" in a hipster fashion.

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