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Charles Winokoor
Thank goodness! Looking for unadulterated
joy and good times? Well, step right up. I admit my ignorance
as to the history of saxophonist/flautist Raux. I assume he's
a French national; the session was recorded in France this past
year and the liner notes are in two laquages. I do know now that
he is a tenor player with a sound that is warmiy affable and outgoing,
not unlike Flip Phillips, whose style invites the listener in
by putting us at ease. He also switches off to soprano sax on
occasion.
The rhythm section establishes and maintains a down-home feel
from start to finish. The opening track is a throwback to Cannonball's
"Work Song" while "Train D.W." uses the chord
progression from "Giant Steps" with alternating rhythm
patterns - one Latin, the other straight Jazz - in a 6/8 meter.
I cover "The Waterfront" brings to mind Eddie Harris,
Zoot Sims, and a few other deceased titans of tenor. Fact is they
wore all lovely players in their own right, and I would include
Raux in their Company. On "Blues for Bags" the flute
work is lusty and full-throated, while bassist Wayne Dockery takes
an extended solo that is a model of, blues expression within the
Jazz idiom (and isn't that what Milt Jackson was all about for
so many decades?).
Pianist Hutman and drummer Bellonzi are both integral ingredients
- they are deceptively easygoing but enthusiastic. There are only
two minor let downs. "Concept Ville" and "Witchitiato"
are both expendable. But as any relief pitcher will tell you,
8 and 2 ain't bad, and a pleasing relief this does provide. A
spirited, soulful session!
