"Crafting a unique blend of contemporary jazz, pianist Ed Saindon and saxophonist Dave Liebman offer a session of cutting edge music with intelligent charts and spontaneous improvisation to produce a quality recording with “Depth of Emotion.” Saindon, who not only plays the piano, but is also a four mallet vibist and plays the marimba as well, is featured as co-leader with Liebman who performs on the soprano sax. The duo are accompanied by bassist David Clark and Mark Walker on the drums forming one tight quartet.
Except for two standards provided fresh interpretations here, Saindon provides all original compositions. The quartet opens the music with the melancholy “The Last Goodbye” paying homage to the late Herb Pomeroy with whom Saindon performed for many years. On this tune Liebman introduces the music with his soprano voice eventually giving way to Saindon on the vibes then reengages to finish out a somber piece.
The group performs a light hearted rendition of the Kaper/Washington standard “Green Dolphin Street,” where Liebman delivers some of his best solos of the album. Saindon provides an exquisite piano solo on one of the very best renditions of the Mancini/Mercer classic, “Moon River” I’ve ever heard as the saxophonist and pianist play off each other quite well.
Saindon leads off on the piano on “Tokyo Nights,” later engaged by Liebman who together deliver another beautiful harmony in one of the best tunes here. The album ends featuring the pianist performing several short vignettes on the piano titled “Piano Solo Reflections.”
This is one of those new 2008 releases containing a repertoire of refreshing new music that critics and the average jazz audiences will love. Assembling a unique combo, With “Depth of Emotion,” Ed Saindon and Dave Liebman chart a new course in modern jazz that deserves serious attention."
Edward Blanco - January 01, 2008, WDNA, Miami, Florida
JazzReview.com
