Credits:

Steve Grossman

Description:

In this final recording with pianist Michel Petrucciani, saxophonist Grossman’s usually more extroverted tendencies are willingly sublimated in order to play more romantically inclined mainstream jazz. Many of the tunes are ballads, embellished by Petrucciani’s languid or forceful pianistics, while solid bassist Andy McKee and drummer Joe Farnsworth keep the flickering flame alive with their steadying rhythms. Of course the fire has to be stoked on occasion, and Grossman really digs in on the Sonny Rollins evergreen “Why Dont I?” It’s perfectly played, a flawless uptempo swinger with head nodding, bluesy elements. Contrasting easy swing with double timed tenor on “Don’t Blame Me” shows Grossman as riled up as he gets on this date. There’s a samba take of “You Go To My Head” with Petrucciani’s solo sporting 16th note flurries, and a moody, pensive waltz version of McKee’s “Inner Circle” simila