The Hang is
Wainapel's worthy follow-up to
Ambrosia: The Music of Kenny Barron, and
Barron himself headlines the band on this release.
Wainapel's distinctive, muscular saxophone voice is on display here, as are the collective talents of
Larry Grenadier (bass),
Kenny Wollesen (drums), and
Phil Grenadier (trumpet). There is a heavy Brazilian flavor to this album, in keeping with the leader's style, and
Wainapel wrote or arranged half of the tracks.
Wainapel and
Barron work particularly well together and maintain a sultry, almost mysterious groove throughout. Each of the soloists is given plenty of space to develop his ideas and the result is a consistent work of seductive beauty. Highlights include the soulful
Wainapel original,
"The Buzzard, " the powerful
Cecil McBee tune,
"Wilpan's," and
Barron's memorable contributions to
"La Lausanneoise." Of all the horns,
Wainapel is particularly effective on soprano saxophone, as in the pretty
"Blues for Sophia," and
Phil Grenadier takes a memorable turn on
Wayne Shorter's,
"Pinocchio." Listeners won't be cheated by the 70 minutes of fine music performed on this recommended set. ~ Brian Bartolini
