Donny McCaslin: The Way Through

The Way Through washes all the way through without any real low points, though it covers some major ground. Half the compositions belong to the leader, interspersed with familiar tunes like Wayne Shorter's "Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum" and Dizzy Gillespie's "Woody 'N You" (both mistitled in the liner notes, always a bad sign). The key factor is how McCaslin and his group of like-minded (and longtime) collaborators manage to turn each tune into an opportunity to explore a mood. Never too far left or right of center (with the exception of the exotic "Break Tune"), this band takes risks and employs all the tricks of modern jazz to burrow deep.

"Atmospheric" might not be the right word for this music, given all the irrelevant vacuous overtones, but it does convey the sense of space these players seem to treasure. The opening "Skyward" does indeed soar free, launched by McCaslin's rocket-like opening line and fueled with some serious popping group energy down the road. "Shadowlands" is about as dark and mysterious as it gets, clarinet and flute carrying some breathy overtones to complement McCaslin's voice on the tenor. And the title track makes use of understated, quiet tension (and Adam Cruz's marimba) to very gradually build up to a souful climax.

You'll want to listen to the sidemen, including bassist Scott Colley and drummer Adam Cruz, but the real treasure of this recording is McCaslin himself. The leader gets his points across rather directly and fluently, but at no point does he ever become predictable. And at all times he maintains a strong sense of forward momentum. This is a fine record that has worn scores of listens without any disappointment.

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