East West Quintet: The Brooklyn E.P.

The combination of musical integrity and youthful vigor can be a potent force of positive energy in an often down-trodden, stagnant jazz industry. The East West Quintet plays with the kind of resonating exuberance that is refreshing and hopeful. On The Brooklyn E.P., saxophonist Dylan Heaney, guitarist Simon Kafka, pianist Mike Cassedy, bassist Benjamin Campbell and drummer Jordan Perlson create an all original set of progressive, endearing jazz.

With the exception of Perlson, all the members of East West Quintet contribute intricate pieces, custom-made for the individual personalities of the group. The session's opener, "Over the Falls, and closer, "Brooklyn, are both written by Cassedy. The former, full of brightly colored harmonies, has a perpetuating optimism, while the latter has a slow-burning funky groove with an electronic tinge highlighted by the keyboardists delicate work on the Fender Rhodes.

Heaney's Latin-shaded "The Summit features the saxophonist's strong melodic concept. Kafka's "The Missing Piece starts out as a medium-tempo modal swinger with the guitarist laying down some soulful, Grant Green-inspired lines. The tempo doubles for the twists and turns of Heaney's alto solo. Campbell contributes the haunting "Our Day, performed in a bouncy 5/4 tempo and featuring a punchy solo by the powerful bassist.

The Brooklyn E.P. is a strong follow up to East West Quintet's 2005 debut Unusual Customs. The collaborative feel throughout the disc creates a unique and distinctive sound that should serve as a catalyst for wider attention in the marketplace.