DONNY McCASLIN: Declaration
Sunnyside, 2009

MODERN JAZZ – Donny McCaslin keeps getting better: with each new release, the tenor saxophonist reveals more of his complex musical personality while raising the bar with his impassioned, thrilling solos. But Declaration also shows off his growing mastery as a composer/ arranger, and his quintet (supplemented by up to five additional brass at key moments), works like a well-oiled machine. Shout-outs to Edward Simon’s impressionistic piano, Ben Monder’s melancholy guitar wail and David Binney’s sparkling production work.

Donny McCaslin - tenor sax, alto flute
Edward Simon - piano, organ
Ben Monder - guitar
Scott Colley - bass
Antonio Sanchez - drums

* * * * | Fo’s Picks: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8

1. 9:30 – soars from meditative theme to blazing glory: lusty sax, low piano
2. 9:14 – a mosaic: moody intro, then uptempo Latin sound with tricky rhythm
3. 7:43 – rich, uplifting horn ensemble, then sax solo builds up logically
4. 6:59 – chugging, theme; strong bass solo, then sax hops, spins, squeals
5. 7:20 – In your face: rocking sax swoops over ballsy beat, wailing guitar
6. 8:20 – ballad tempo, bittersweet and pensive but not soft
7. 6:41– strong theme into enigmatic piano, stuttering drums, sax commentary
8. 7:57 – slow, pensive: warm & folksy yet elegant, builds up to a big ending

[ Fo ] 01/06/10