Formidable

Reviewed: 2018-02-11
Genre: Jazz
FCCs: none
Review: Martino is a guitarists' guitarist, After a career spanning decades, he returns to lead his trio in a moveable feast that recapitulates his work of the past while adding a contemporary touch, recalling the organ/guitar trios of yesteryear. Sax & trumpet players guest on different tracks.
If You Like: Bill Connors, Kenny Burrell, Jack McDuff, Jimmy Smith, Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
1/ El Nino (7:07) - Organ starts> midtempo jam> guitar solo swings uptempo> sax solo> organ & sax duet> uptempo jam> quick stop
*2 Hipsippy Blues (6:58) – organ starts> swinging midtempo jam> guitar solo> trumpet solo> sax solo> organ solo> midtempo jam> crescendo end
3/ Homage (9:12) – organ starts> midtempo jam> guitar solo> wailing sax solo> organ solo> midtempo jam> fade
4/ Duke Ellington’s Sound Of Love (7:54) – organ starts> slow jam> guitar solo> organ solo> slow jam> fade
*5/ El Hombre (7:02) – organ starts> uptempo jam> guitar solo> organ solo> uptempo jam> quick stop
*6/ In Your Own Sweet Way (8:15) – guitar starts> slow tempo jam builds to midtempo> guitar solo> organ solo> midtempo jam> fade
*7/ Nightwings (8:31) – organ starts> midtempo jam> spirited guitar solo> vibrant trumpet solo> swinging sax solo> soaring organ solo> uptempo jam> quick fade
8/ In A Sentimental Mood (8:16) – organ starts> slow jam> guitar solo> organ solo> slow jam> slow fade
*9/ On The Stairs (6:25) – full band uptempo jam> cooking organ solo> blazing guitar solo> sizzling sax solo> blistering trumpet solo> uptempo jam> quick stop