Split Decision
Smoke Sessions, 2025
8/10
The saxophone wizards, Eric Alexander and Vincent Herring, return with a 3rd album together, where plenty of swingin’ fun and melodic appeal unfolds across the 6 detailed tracks.
Steve Turre’s “Pharoah’s Dance” opens with the duo’s intricate saxes dancing around each other amid adventurous drumming, and Horace Silver’s “Strollin’” follows with a playful mood, as the winds align with a frisky rhythm section.
The middle belongs to “A Peck a Sec” and “My Romance”. The former, by Hank Mobley, is a quick moment of animated keys and meticulous sax dynamics, while the latter emits an intimate demeanor via the emotive winds, gentle keys and light drums thanks to Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart’s vision.
The last tune is the lively and textured “Mo’s Theme”, where both saxophonists contribute their inimitable talents in spades to complement quick eyes and the bouncy rhythm section of the Rob Bargad selection.
A record that seems like it was as much fun to make as it is to listen to, Mike LeDonne, John Webber and Lewis Nash’s contribution are enormous in making this a timeless jazz adventure.
Travels well with: Patrick Zimmerli- Songs Of Innocence; BMOP- Dalit Hadass Warshaw: Sirens