Two Dreams by Odean Pope Quartet

01 Apr

Written by Glenn Astarita
font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Tenor saxophonist Odean Pope along with bassist Tyrone Brown gained recognition performing/recording with legendary drummer Max Roach. However, the aforementioned stylists are respected solo artists amid numerous session dates, spanning four decades. On this session, Pope and alto saxophonist Carl Grubbs execute John Coltrane-like modalities. Nonetheless, they surface as a formidable duo. The quartet lays down a potpourri of swiftly enacted, free-bop vamps as bassist Craig McIver generally firms up the lower end with bouncy lines via a brisk mode of attack. Ultimately, the band transmits a camaraderie that sparkles via the respective soloists’ distinctive musical personas. On "The Foliage," for example, the saxophonists purvey bittersweet sentimentality. But it’s partly about the musicians complementing styles and persuasive manner of spinning a tune, complete with vigorously enacted improvisational maneuvers. (Recommended.)