Beneath the Skin

Drummer Steve Hass hit the scene hard playing with Ravi Coltrane and John Scofield, but we haven't heard from him in a while. Lo and behold, he appears on a beautiful record by vocalist and composer Nnenna Freelon, playing alongside pianist-accompanist extraordinaire Alan Pasqua. Freelon first recorded in the early 90s, and has released 15 records. She has a wonderful heartfelt, dark, and sultry voice, and has a magnificent knack for picking off-the-beaten-track material. Hass sounds fantastic is his support of Freelon and the rest of the ensemble. Hass and bassist Jonathan Richards sound and breathe as one. Hass' touch and sound are perfect for the situation, as is his playing. Listen to how he sets up the first tune on the recording "Journey from the Heart" and listen to how his playing helps set the mood for the entire record. His subtle brushes move "Dark and Lovely" along very smoothly, and Hass gets a chance to step forward a bit on Freelon's outstanding composition "Changed." I don't know if this is Freelon's working band, but it sounds like it, and if it's not, it should be. I would happily pay a lot of money to see and hear Nnenna Freelon with this band surrounding her.