Evolution Personnel: Tommy Smith (tenor saxophone), Joe Lovano (tenor saxophone), John Scofield (guitar), John Taylor (piano), John Patitucci (bass), Bill Stewart (drums) Tracks: Woodstock; Easter Island; Lisbon Earthquake; Siege of Leningrad; Sputnick's Tale; On the Way to Barnard's Star

 Man oh Man, hold on to your seat belts. Tenor Saxophonist Tommy Smith, from Scotland has sent JR247 a couple of gems. I knew they would be good when I saw the personnel, but it gets better with listening.

 If you don’t know Tommy, he is one of Scotland's many fine jazz musicians and composers. He is an internationally recognized soloist and bandleader since the late-1980s and the musical director and driving forces of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. He also leads his own elite Youth Jazz Orchestra. Since touring and recording the Whiz Kids (ECM Records) album with vibraphonist Gary Burton at the age of eighteen, his credits include a total of twenty-one albums under his own name for Hep Records, GFM, Blue Note Records, Linn Records and his own Spartacus label.

This is one jazz musician every a jazz fan needs to know. He’s a fluid saxophonist, with a great sound, and plays with phenomenal control. He’s daring both compositionally and improvisationally, and loves collaborations with world class artists. What I appreciate, is thanks to his efforts, he’s a big reason that Scotland is a hidden treasure of great Jazz performances.(I will be reviewing SNJO W/Ingrid Jensen, directed by Smith) His contributions will make a mark in this history, and even better, he’s helped to create a culture of creative music that’s being handed down to a younger generation. My hats off to Mr. Smith!

Oh by the way, this album Evolution is really great. What I love about this recording is the wonderful eclectic nature of the project. The musicians capture the titles and moods of Tommy’s compositions and draw a picture in your mind through their creative energies. Each composition has varied contrasts, where the musician is challenged to play on different feels and grooves. Musicians will be tested on music such as this. But even better news, it’s really a great listen, because all these guys rise to the challenge. I love Scolfield’s playing on the straight ahead feel of Lisbon’s Earthquake. He just swings, and that great sound that trademarks him comes through. It’s clean, precise, and full of energy. Speaking of energy, Lovano sounds so good on this record date. He and Smith trade in a few spots, check out the opening track over that quasi funk feel, there’s some rich harmonic interplay, and the two tenor players turn the battle into joyous music making! There’s cool effects with this disc too. Check out the beginnings of Woodstock and the Siege of Leningrad. I really enjoyed Leningrad when they broke into the head, with this nice linear writing and broke this feel up with tender moments!

The compositions play like mini suites. I believe the serious listener will be highly entertained by the mini inventions by master musician Tommy Smith.
Another must buy in my mind if you’re a real jazz connoisseur.

For information, please visit Tommy on the web:
www.tommy-smith.co.uk