Bruce Williams: Solid Perspective

Alto saxophonist Bruce Williams, who doubles as composer, triples as arranger and quadruples as vocalist on one number, brings enviable creds to Solid Perspective, his fifth recording as leader of his quartet. Williams has worked steadily since leaving his native Washington, DC, for New York City, where he has remained for more than two decades, performing with groups large and small both stateside and around the world while polishing his resume as a respected educator and mentor to many rising musicians.

The playlist includes five of Williams' original compositions, one each by Jackie McLean and Wayne Shorter, and Cole Porter's "Everytime We Say Goobye." With the help of his talented companions, Williams succeeds in remodeling what could have been a forgettable session into one that shines anew.

Chief among those abettors is pianist Brandon McCune whose comping is spot-on and whose mostly high-energy solos always find the mark. Bassist Lonnie Plaxico and drummer Willie Jones III pull their weight as well, offering Williams as much support as he could possibly envision. Williams uses that bedrock as a launching pad for his improvisations, which, although not often exceedingly adventurous, are always agreeable and well-drawn.

Williams opens with the ballad "Everytime We Say Goodbye," with his alto and McCune's piano leading the way. McLean's enticing "Melody for Melonae" is next up, followed by Williams' "The Matriarch," a moderately paced charmer that leads to the even-tempered "Ora Dee" and Shorter's bright and breezy "Toy Tune," on which Williams sounds much like vintage McLean. "Short Lived Dream," the album's second ballad, precedes the lone Latin-infused number, "Sense Out of Madness," and the purposeful finale, "Why Can't We," wherein Williams tries his hand at singing. While he is no Ray Charles or Nat King Cole, the brief verse is heartfelt.

An admirable and productive session with remarkable support given to the leader by his superb supporting cast. Williams' expressive alto saxophone provides a strong and decisive guidepost on which everyone can rely. Solid Perspective is definitely worth a listen—or more.