Joel Frahm - The Bright Side

Joel Frahm
The Bright Side
Anzic Records

On "The Bright Side," tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm leads a trio consisting of bassist Dan Loomis and drummer Ernesto Cervini. This trio was born at a masterclass at the University of Toronto as an offshoot of Cervini's band Turboprop. During a European tour, a repertoire of recent original tunes by the band members. The present album provides a sense of the breadth of the band's repertoire.

One hears hints of trio albums by Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson for some of this recording, starting with the opening "Blow Poppa Joe," which is dedicated to Joe Henderson. Frahm is a saxophonist with a robust tone able to improvise thematically or melodically. On this performance, he plays propulsively with Loomis as an anchor and Cervini driving things along, playing around the groove before taking a crisp solo. "Thinking of Benny" is dedicated to Benny Golson, and Frahm's playing has a playful and prancing quality to it. It is followed by Frahm's "Boo Sip Dip," a brisk performance based on a fascinating bebop-inspired line, and after an inspired sax solo, Frahm and Cervini trade fours.

 Loomis composed "Silk Road" with his bass stating the theme as Cervini adds percussive accents before Frahm enters on soprano sax on an alluring, atmospheric performance. It is followed by Frahm's salute to bassist Omer Avital, "Omer's World." Frahm and the trio play with considerable energy here. Loomis also contributed "X-Friends" a reimagining of the standard "Just Friends," with surging sax over a turbulent rhythm. Cervini composed the tone-poem "The Beautiful Mystery," with Frahm's tenor and the rhythm section inducing a sense of serenity,
 

The title track is said to be based on the opening riff of Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side." It also sounds as it incorporates a bit of "Jumping' With Symphony Sid," along with Frahm quoting other compositions in the manner of Dexter Gordon. It provides an engaging close to a superb recording.
 
 I received a download to review from a publicist.Here is Joel Frahm in a trio setting.