Sam Newsome: This Masquerade

Unlike his previous SteepleChase affair, The Tender Side of Sammy Straighthorn, this new release is more of an open-ended experiment that relies less on formal structures and more on a blowing type atmosphere, albeit with a great degree of creative energy. Newsome's horn is also front and center, without the arcane edge usually added by the wordless vocals of Elizabeth Kontomanou (an acquired taste anyway, to be sure). Some radical departures are given to the standards on tap, like the altered melody voiced by Newsome on 'Satin Doll,' which works up an exceptional froth thanks to drummer Gene Jackson's locomotive accompaniment. Newsome even turns 'The Girl From Ipanema's' walk to the sea into more of a hurried romp. By contrast, the title track and 'Toryanse' are reflective and calm; giving one an even better opportunity to appreciate Newsome's round and almost vibrato-less tone.

Quirky enough to raise the ante beyond your typical blowing session, the freedom that Newsome finds in these nine pieces (pianist Bruce Barth is cleary inspired to boot) seems to goad some genuinely profound statements and the results are positively effusive.