Deep in the Soil

Energy and enthusiasm fairly leap from the speakers—or headphones—on Sharel Cassity's daring "Call to Order," the opening number on Korean-born saxophonist Jordan VanHemert's fifth album as leader, Deep in the Soil. Alas, that same ardor doesn't reappear until track seven (of eight), trombonist Michael Dease's boppish "ST in the House." In between, VanHemert and his companions (group sizes vary from sextet to duo) offer some agreeable music but nothing that approaches the ebullience or cogency of the themes already named.

It may (or may not) be coincidental that trumpeter Terell Stafford is present and solos impressively on "Call" and "ST," as he does on the charming finale, his own "Blues for JT." Whatever the reason, everything seems a tad more engaging when he is on the scene. That is not to say that VanHemert and the others are less than proficient; far from it. VanHemert is a splendid soloist, as are Dease (who solos only once) and pianist Helen Sung, while bassist Rodney Whitaker and drummer Lewis Nash keep the rhythm flowing as smoothly as any duo you would care to name.

VanHemert, who usually plays tenor saxophone, sets it aside here in favor of the alto, a tribute, he says, to his earliest jazz influence, the legendary Charlie Parker—although there is more Cannonball Adderley, Lou Donaldson or Jackie McLean in his post-bop style than there is Bird. Stafford and Dease are in or out on various tracks, while Sung is ever-present—including a duo with VanHemert on his graceful "Autumn Song," the only number on which Whitaker and Lewis are not on board. The Adderley connection is most apparent on PAUL MITCHELL's gritty "Hard Times," the best-known version of which was rendered by another renowned alto master, David "Fathead" Newman.

Jimmy Heath wrote the congenial "Sound for Sore Ears," Stevie Wonder the easygoing "Superwoman," while VanHemert contributed the cordial ballad "Everything Changes, Everything Stays the Same." Although every theme is respectable, "Call to Order" sets the bar quite high, devaluing everything that follows. Unfair, perhaps, but no less true. Even so, a well-played and well-above average session with much to admire.