Peter DiCarlo: The Other Side

The Other Side is the second album by New York City-bred alto saxophonist Peter DiCarlo who now lives and works in Izmir, Turkey. Unlike the first, which was emphatically straight-ahead, this one blends elements of fusion and traces of a Turkish accent within DiCarlo's usual plain- spoken approach.

Even so, the album's seven numbers—six written and all arranged by DiCarlo—would not be out of place in any anthology of contemporary straight-ahead jazz, as he seems unable to break free from his more traditional roots even while striving to make changes and move on. In other words, there is far more Jackie McLean, Lou Donaldson, Sonny Criss and Charles McPherson in DiCarlo's perspective and phrasing than there is, say, Ornette Coleman or Eric Dolphy.

DiCarlo is aided and abetted by a trio of first-class Turkish sidemen, pianist Uraz Kivaner, bassist Ozan Musluoglu and drummer Ferit Odman. There seems to be no shortage of jazz talent even in countries not generally associated with the genre; music schools may have a lot to do with that. Whatever the reason, DiCarlo's teammates are well-versed in the basics of jazz and know how to play it. Close your eyes, open your ears and this could well be an all-American quartet.

The group opens with the title track, an enticing high-octane blues which leads to the similarly animated "Fluffy Cloud," on which DiCarlo, Kivaner and Odman display impressive solo chops. The tempo slows on the even-tempered "Yesterday's Tomorrow" before easing into a pleasant mid-range groove on "Ever You Need Me," written for DiCarlo by long-time friend and colleague Francesca Prihasti, and "Do Dat," inspired by the leader's visit to the ancient city of Ephesus in western Turkey.

The jazz component is front and center on the prancing "Little Footsteps," written by DiCarlo for his five-year-old daughter, Aurelia, and on the seductive "Last Morning," composed on the beach in Antalya, Turkey, during a late-night practice session. Bassist Musluoglu solos smartly on the last two numbers, punctuating resolute statements by DiCarlo and Kivaner. Brushing aside locale and lineage, this is a very good quartet, and The Other Side is a very good album, enhanced not only by DiCarlo's burnished alto saxophone but by unwavering support from his admirable Turkish teammates.