Mosaic: The Music of Gregg Hill

4-STARS The outstanding bassist Rodney Whitaker (*1968 in Detroit) presents "Mosaic," his fourth album, following "Common Ground" (2019), "Outrospection" (2021), and "Oasis" (2023), featuring compositions by Gregg Hill from Michigan. He performs with an illustrious quintet, as well as Rockelle Whitaker, the bassist's daughter, who contributes vocals to three tracks. Gregg Hill's compositions, all arranged by Rodney Whitaker, are committed to the post-bop idiom and are played with such verve that boredom never sets in. Whether they will become jazz standards is questionable, however; but they do provide the quintet with the opportunity to showcase their solo work. Particularly successful are "Mosaic," with a magnificent solo by Stafford, "Claxilever," reminiscent of Charles Mingus, and "Still Life With Tuba," in which Dana Hall proves why he is considered one of the great jazz drummers. Also convincing are the ballad "Stargazer," "Ray-Dias," which evokes the spirit of 1960s boogaloo grooves, and "Moonscape," which rhythmically shifts between 6/8, 12/8, and 4/4.