African Flowers

Chicago saxophonist Geof Bradfield draws on music he encountered in his travels to Africa during a 2008 Rhythm Road tour with pianist Ryan Cohan's quartet. Cohan joins Bradfield here, along with trumpeter Victor Garcia, guitarist Jeff Parker, bassist George Fludas, and together the band delivers entrancing polyrhythmic themes like the melodic Rwandan praise song "Butare" and the danceable Congolese rumba "Lubumbashi," the latter a catchy clave vehicle for the leader's bold tenor sax work. Parker's lyrical side is highlighted on the beautiful ballad "Mama Yemo," while his freebop tendencies are unleashed on the modal vamp "The Nurse From Nairobi." Bradfield and Garcia both deal on the urgent swinger "Nairobi Transit."