Ben Ferrell: Sextet

On Sextet, bassist Ben Ferrell's six-member group strives with mixed results to maintain magnetism and diversity in five of his generally low-key compositions, some of which might benefit from an occasional shot of adrenalin.

Ferrell apparently knows where he is going, and shares what can be described as a cool journey. There are three detours (Thelonious Monk's "Light Blue," Kenta Nagata's "Dragon Roost Island," Martin O'Donnell's "Never Forget," only one of which—"Never Forget"—appreciably raises the session's overall temperature). Ferrell's opening theme, "Tholus," seeds dissonance before settling into a pleasing straight-ahead groove to underscore fine solos by bass trombonist Reginald Chapman, trumpeter Will Evans, vibraphonist Atley King and the leader.

That is one of only two upbeat numbers by Ferrell; the others (including two versions of the even-tempered "Song for Silgar") as well as "Light Blue" and "Dragon Roost Island"—pursue quieter paths. That would not be a disadvantage if the melodic and rhythmic backbone were strong enough to support the more languorous moments, but that is not always the case. Nonetheless, Ferrell and his teammates (who also include guitarist Nick Rousseau and drummer Rintaro Mikami) do their best to make the strategy work.

Solos are good, and the group works well together. In other words, a well-played session whose handful of sunlit moments are not quite enough to raise it above the norm.