Peter Zak
's fourth release for
Steeplechase
finds him returning to a trio, with his regular bassist
Paul Gill
and
Quincy Davis
taking over on drums.
Zak
covers a number of
jazz
styles during this wide-ranging session. His buoyant, swinging treatment of
Billy Strayhorn
's lesser known
"All Day Long"
and lyrical setting of
Eubie Blake
's
"Memories of You"
have great appeal.
Gill
is featured extensively in the opening to
Charlie Parker
"Perhaps,"
accompanied sparsely by
Davis
' brushes with minimal backing by the leader until he takes over. The trio devours
Jackie McLean
's intense
hard bop
vehicle
"Minor Apprehension,"
showcasing
extensively early on.
Harold Land
"Poor People's March"
is another lost gem polished by the trio, a driving
post-bop
vehicle.
dives head first into
Herbie Hancock
's intriguing, constantly evolving
"King Cobra."
The pianist's compositions are just as strong.
"Horace's Dream"
quickly reveals its inspiration with the catchy rhythm favored by
Horace Silver
. The brisk
bossa nova
"Propinquity"
and the melodic
"Shala"
(the latter introduced with a bit of free improvisation) are also signs of
's gifts as a composer. ~ Ken Dryden