Arman Sangalang: Waypoints

Waypoints, the second recording by Chicago-based tenor saxophonist Arman Sangalang's quartet, continues on a path similar to his first, Arman Sangalang Quartet (Calligram, 2023), leaning on original compositions and closing with a perennially popular standard, Johnny Green's "Body & Soul."

Sangalang is a splendid player, blending a strong and persuasive solo voice with precise technique and a bright and pleasing sound. His teammates are similarly adept, lending Sangalang solid and dependable support. The compositional highlight of the program is "Monkish," Sangalang's lyrical salute to Thelonious Monk, a delightful swinger that showcasess the quartet in the best possible light.

Sangalang's supporting cast, as noted, is first-rate, and guitarist Dave Miller in particular adds flavor to the menu, using an assortment of pedal effects to widen and reshape the group's collective sound. While bassist Ethan Philion and drummer Devin Drobka are essentially team players, their input is no less valuable.

Sangalang opens in a pensive mood with the ballad "Nina" before pressing the accelerator on "Easy Does It" and the frisky "Who's It Going to Be?," on which Miller brings the pedal effects into full play and Drobka asserts his presence, leading to a heartfelt statement by Philion. Sangalang delivers his most persuasive solo on "Monkish," as do Miller and Drobka, before the ensemble skates easily through Sangalang's well-drawn "Prevailing Changes," "Writer Agents" (on which Miller clambers well over the top) and "Less Is...," and closes with "Body & Soul," the first half of which Sangalang has to himself.

An earnest album wherein everyone's work brightens the music and underscores Sangalang's purpose.