Eric Siereveld's Organic Quintet: Sweet William

On their second recording together, trumpeter Eric Siereveld and his New York-based Organic Quintet are more a sextet most of the way, as guest trombonist Steve Davis lends a master hand (two, actually) on six of the album's eight numbers.

The term "organic" springs from the fact that one of the ensemble's anchors is organist Steve Snyder, and the pleasurable studio date is in part a family affair as Steve Davis' son, Tony Davis, is the group's resident guitarist. Saxophonist Bill Todd shares front-line duties with Siereveld and Steve Davis, while Snyder, Tony Davis and drummer Carmen Intorre Jr. make sure the rhythm never flags.

Siereveld, who writes as well as he plays—which is quite well indeed—composed a half-dozen of the album's impressive numbers and co-wrote with Steve Davis its eleven-minute plus centerpiece, the nimble and well-grooved "Do the Right Thing," on which everyone takes a splendid solo turn. Syd Wayne and Joe Sherman wrote the charming "Sweet William" for Siereveld's son, while Siereveld penned the robust, bop- centered "Before They Hear You" with Art Blakey in mind.

As the blues is never far removed from bop, it makes a welcome appearance on Siereveld's "Something Borrowed, Something Blue," which leads to the album's radiant finale, "The Merlion." Siereveld also composed the swaggering opener, "Growl" (a nod to his hometown Cincinnati Bengals) and "The Worm Burner," a spicy swinger whose brisk tempo spurs eloquent solos by all hands. Todd trades his tenor for flute, Siereveld the trumpet for flugelhorn on "Sweet William."

Sweet William is a first-class album from start to finish, one in which everyone knows his part and plays it seamlessly. Well worth savoring more than once.

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