Here and Now

Review: Steve Korn's debut on Origin Records, HERE & NOW, is his first as a leader and it is excellent. The nine compositions are a perfect balance of musical designs that feature his successful sextet of Rob Davis on tenor saxophone, Jim Knapp on trumpet, Dave Peterson on guitar, Marc Seales on piano and Jeff Johnson on bass. Rob Davis kicks off the set with great tenor sax on "Blue," with a top-to-bottom command of his horn. Steve Korn displays his superior drumming, giving his Gretsch a thrashing on "Looking Ahead," while keeping the whole band in overdrive. He slows things down on "Pee Wee," the Tony Williams tune, providing the subtle pulse under splendid piano and bass solos. Korn's intro on "Side Car" opens with great pacing and cuts to the chase with plenty of room to blow for the horn masters and bassman. Steve Korn also composed three compositions on the CD - specifically, "Pendulum," with strong horn charts out front, "Jim's Beginning," with more great soloing by Dave Peterson, Marc Seales and Jeff Johnson, and "Mary Michaelen," a pensive ballad that beautifully spotlights Seale's dexterity as a pianist. HERE & NOW is one CD full of specialists that explore Korn's musical designs with consistency and style

Rating: ****