COMPOSERS: Brian Lynch
LABELS: Nagel Heyer (dist New Note)
PERFORMER: Brian Lynch (trumpet), various musicians
CATALOGUE NO: 2055
Despite the eclectic repertoire Brian Lynch offers, the improvising sensibility of his tightly honed, energetic quintet would fit happily on late 1960s Blue Note releases by Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, or Joe Henderson.
Original compositions from band members are distinguished less by memorable melodies than by intricate arrangements and harmonic patterns rooted in one-upmanship. Conversely, non-original tunes inspire more varied and emotionally engaging solo work all around.
On ‘West End Blues’, for example, Lynch tastefully expands upon Louis Armstrong’s celebrated unaccompanied intro, while Jimmy Webb’s ‘By The Time I Get To Phoenix’ emerges as a darker, more agitated scenario than Glen Campbell’s wistful country treatment many moons ago.
Alto saxophonist Miguel Zevon’s compact, hard-hitting tone and bluesy, communicative solos seem to linger in the ear longer than those of his equally assured though less individual bandmates. Jed Distler