CD/ALBUM

 

This moody and organic acoustic/electric jazz collection from drummer/composer Utsi Zimring features an all-star line-up of NYC jazz greats including guitarist Mike Stern, pianist David Kikoski, and saxophonist Bob Franceschini. Zimring dances playfully around the melodies with a loose, dynamic feel. A colorful rendition of the Latin-jazz “Softly As in a Morning Sunrise” shows Zimring’s ability to improvise creatively over the melody, without clutter. Zimring’s “The Others” reveals depth of composition and powerful command of time in a trio setting. A spirited version of Sting’s “Seven Days” is a delightful odd-meter jaunt led by Franceschini’s masterful sax work. The set closes with “Heckle & Jeckle,” an all-out jazz fusion tour-de-force, allowing Zimring to shine brightly with impressive, funky gospel chops. (utsizimring.com)

Mike Haid