The
Los Angeles Jazz Quartet
is comprised of guitarist
Larry Koonse
,
Chuck Manning
on tenor and soprano, bassist
Darek Oles
and drummer
Kevin Tullius
. The music performed by the ensemble on this inexpensively priced CD includes two
Koonse
originals, four songs apiece by
Manning
and
Oles
, and
Jerome Kern
's
"Dearly Beloved."
In general, the music swings, the solos fall into the post-bop genre (more advanced than hard bop but still tied to chordal improvisation), and the playing is on a high level. The weak point of the date is the lack of memorable melodies, which gives a certain sameness to the brooding originals despite the different moods and chord changes. Certainly none of the newer tunes are destined to become standards, despite the heat generated during some of the more passionate moments.
emerges as the dominant voice, but
gets in some strong solos and
Tullius
provide stimulating support. A worthwhile if not quite essential release. ~ Scott Yanow