Deep in the Soil

When I looked at the lineup for saxophonist Jordan VanHemert's Deep in the Soil, I mumbled to myself, "Wow...somebody's got themselves a BAND here!" Terell Stafford plays trumpet, Michael Dease is the trombonist, Helen Sung is sitting at the piano bench, Rodney Whittaker is holding down the bass duties, and Lewis Nash is behind the drums. This sextet lets you know it, too, from the first note. Sharel Cassity's composition, "Call To Order" gets the festivities off to a proper start. VanHemert contributed "Everything Changes, Everything Stays the Same," a really nice ballad in the middle of the set. Stevie Wonder's "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)" is right in the pocket and played beautifully. "ST in the House" sounds like a lost in the vaults Jazz Messengers tune, and "Blues for JT" wraps up the disc on a funky note. Here's to hoping Jordan VanHemert's got more on the way, because Deep in the Soil is just that good. How could it not be with a band like that?