Green Lights
Toy Robot, 2024
8/10
A body of work inspired by Wayne Shorter and that documents Troy Roberts’ career as an independent artist, this 16th album as leader welcomes Paul Bollenback, John Patitcucci and Jimmy MacBride for 9 jazz spirited tracks.
The atmospheric title track begins the listen with Roberts’ lively tenor sax and Patitcucci’s glowing bass for the stylish climate, and “The Question” follows with Bollenback’s dreamy guitar amid the soulful brass of the warm delivery.
The middle track brings us the 10+ minutes of “Harry Brown”, where a sense of mystery enters alongside the cinematic interaction, while “Jive Dumpling” benefits much from MacBride’s skilled drumming and, of course, Roberts’ rich sax prowess.
Close to the end, the sparkling intimacy of “The Scotsman’s Ballad” emits much beauty in its poetic appeal, and “Stretch Armstrong” exits with an upbeat and dance floor ready energy that’s as frisky as it is memorable, and really showcases Bollenback’s meticulous guitar playing.
A record that resides in acoustic and straight-ahead jazz territory, Roberts has yet to let us down, and his excellent help sure does make for a versatile and technical outing.
Travels well with: Chris Rottmayer- Being; Jason Arkins- In Focus