Truth And Beauty

As pianist Brad Mehldau mentions in his lengthy and well thought-out liner notes, organist Sam Yahel, tenor-saxophonist Joshua Redman and drummer Brian Blade each have the ability to sound like themselves no matter what the setting or the dominant style. Yahel is one of the most original organists of his generation for even when his tone recalls Jimmy Smith, his choice of notes does not. Redman and Blade also have original sounds and the three have played together on numerous occasions, often under the saxophonist's leadership. On Truth And Beauty, they perform six of Yahel's originals and three obscurities including Ornette Coleman's challenging "Check Up" and Paul Simon's relatively lightweight but lyrical "Night Game." Redman and Yahel blend together particularly well, with the ensembles logically leading to the solos and lots of close interaction. While none of the individual originals have memorable themes, the set of complex postbop has a definite charm that grows.