CD of the Week - "Marc Copland: Crosstalk"

CD of the Week
Marc Copland: "Crosstalk" (Pirouet) 2011

Rating:
**** (musical performance)
***** (sonic quality)

Featuring: Marc Copland (acoustic piano), Doug Weiss (acoustic bass), Victor Lewis (drums) & Greg Osby (alto sax)
Highlights: an amazing rendition of Gigi Gryce's "Minority" (with a truly perfect solo by the leader, which deserved to be transcribed on DownBeat), a somber version of the standard "Tenderley" (with Osby shining on alto) and Copland's own epic title track. For now, considering his performance on this album, Osby has my vote for best alto sax player of the year.

Fascinatingly original - a good description of this quartet's multifaceted musical world throughout this CD, recorded "live" to 2-track by producer/engineer Jason Seizer @ (Tony) Bennett Studios in New Jersey, on December 4 & 5, 2010. This quartet presides over music of great depth and intensity and at the same time makes it all seem breathtakingly easy and clear.