Another of saxophonist Lovano's tributes to jazz themes, as the name suggests the focus here is on the backstreet bebop that flourished in the post-war era. Lovano heads a four-strong sax unit that rips through a swag of inventively played bop standards and pays homage to the boppers with two original compositions.
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Gratitude Chris Potter 2001 [Verve]
Neo-bopper Chris Potter turns in another sterling effort on this remarkable tribute to great saxophonists that have influenced him. The nine originals featured cover the stylistic depth and soul of the likes of Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Lester Young - as well as fitting in homage to a couple of the newer names around.
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Alegría Wayne Shorter 2003 [Verve]
After the success of the wonderful Footprints Live! Shorter went back into the studio following a nine-year hiatus and managed to produce yet another triumph. Pianist Brad Mehldau and drummer Brian Blade are the standouts in support, although the rest of the crew cannot be faulted either. Inventive postbop from a capable veteran.
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Standard of Language Kenny Garrett 2003 [Warner]
With skill on both alto and soprano saxes that has been compared to legendary masters, Garrett's records are rarely pedestrian. This one is his best of late, with shades of the frenetic bop of Charlie Parker and early Coltrane on show. That said, perhaps it is time to shed the comparisons and let this great saxophonist stand on his own two feet.
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On the Rising of the 64 Paths Steve Coleman & Five Elements 2003 [Label Bleu]
Altoist Coleman came up with the somewhat eccentrically named M-Base concept, which translates to "macro-basic array of spontaneous extemporisation". Following a string of critically acclaimed records, 64 Paths finds Coleman toning down his M-Base sensibilities to produce this readily accessible and artistically credible record.
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Momentum Joshua Redman Elastic Band 2005 [Nonesuch]
Fans of saxophonist Joshua Redman's earlier straightahead albums, like Wish and Beyond, may find this 70s-style soul-funk excursion a trifle unsettling. The record features many interesting cameo appearances, but it is keyboardist Sam Yahel that sets the tone throughout, in the process timewarping us to a bygone era.
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Beyond the Sound Barrier Wayne Shorter Quartet 2005 [Verve]
The same personnel from 2002's Footprints Live! are at it again on this freeform excursion recorded on tour over three continents. Veteran saxophonist Shorter continues to explore angular musical directions reminiscent of his classic 1960s output, leaving little doubt that his fusion days are well and truly behind him.
Not surprisingly, the emperor of free-jazz is showing absolutely no sign of mellowing in his old age. Recorded live in Germany, Coleman was 75 at the time and his alto was still smokin'. Perhaps more importantly, six of the tracks here are all-new material, with the two Coleman classics featured being adventurous reinventions.
