Times 4: Relations

Adler has always been able to express himself on tenor and alto with a fluid charm that lends itself to soulful ballads and hip adventures. Here, he brings a light saxophone tone to each piece with a sensual articulation that speaks volumes. He merges the character of his instrument's voice with keyboards, bass and drums for a dreamy sequence of events characterized by cohesive improvisation and filled with the spirit of a forward-looking generation. Hip-hop rhythms and a groove-based approach seal the band's fate, and thus Relations surges with a mesmerizing power and charms accordingly.

Central Park and "Hericane stand out as the session's most significant pieces, bringing in impressions that are vivid and ready to roll. One belies a scene of placid lawns that serve as a background for highly athletic activities, while the other surges powerfully with dramatic force. Elsewhere, much of the album rests with a languishing dreamscape that's soothing as well as laid-back. Each dreamy piece, however, contains the kind of inner fire that characterizes Times 4 as a hot property that's ready for bigger and better things.