Hi-Fi

The group RadioAction is made up four young, modern jazz artists working out of the New York area, although recorded here by the West Coast label, Origin. These artists have something to say with their interpretation of the items on the play list, whether it be one of the original compositions or a jazz or classic standard. The tone of their conversation is sometimes piercing as guided by the alto sax of Alex Graham and Whitney Ashe's piano on Gil Evans' rarely recorded "Barracudas". Other times, their attitude is moderated, influenced by the type of music they're playing. On "Spring Can Really Hang You up the Most", Graham's alto statement is stunningly lyrical as it rides the melody line over Ashe's comping piano. The improvisional excursions on this cut are imaginative, daring and filled with surprises, all of them pleasant. Gary Wang reveals significant chops on bass during the more than 8-minute exposition of this classic standard. Although all the players get plenty of action on this CD, it's Graham's sax that establishes the ground rules for the way the music is to be advanced. Some of the great alto players, Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley, Phil Woods and even a touch of Johnny Hodges can be discerned as he works to extend the parameters of the horn on such cuts as "Enlah' and the album's tour de force track, Graham's haunting, absorbing "More or Less". As most small groups who have set their target on playing modern jazz, it takes some time to mature and meld to assure that both individual and group ideas are fully developed and presented. RadioAction with this maiden CD is well on their way to getting to that performing Nirvana.