Look For Water
Ear Up, 2023
8/10
The educator, composer and saxophone wizard Jeff Coffin pays homage to New Orleans with this listen that surrounds hope, wonder and vibrancy, where Johnny Vidacovich, Tony Dagradi, James Singleton and Helen Gillet are in attendance.
“Toy Piano” starts the listen with just that, a toy piano played by Vidacovich, before “Green Light For Billy Drewes” follows with Coffin’s bright sax alongside Singleton’s unpredictable upright bass and Dagradi’s well timed tenor sax.
Elsewhere, the soulful “Look For Water” emits much beauty from Coffin’s skills that benefits from Vidacovich’s animated drumming, while “Sweet Magnolias” finds a very dreamy place to reside thanks to the playfully plucked strings and lively sax bouts.
“Yusef” and “Luminosity” land at the end, where the former balances both minimal and busy ideas with strong attention to mood, and the latter welcomes Gillet on cello for the upbeat and melodic album highlight.
A listen with stunning interplay between the talented players, the calm ebbs, spiritual bursts and fleeting melodies keep the listener engaged from beginning to end.
Travels well with: Matt Ulery- Mannerist; Nick Finzer- Dreams, Visions, Illusions