Finally Friday
MCG, 2023
8/10
The saxophonist and educator Jason Kush brings along Alton Merrell, Jeff Grubbs and David Glover for these songs that surround the idea of the completion of the work week or end of a stressful period.
“Hasty J” starts the listen off with Kush’s bright and inviting sax amid the crashing drums from Glover’s very agile playing, and the title track follows with Merrell’s glowing keys complementing the soulful brass in the melodic climate.
“With Thoughts Of Agnes” lands in the middle and finds an intimate place to reside with the reflective sax and graceful keys making for an emotive landscape, while “Asked And Answered”, the best tune present, is anchored by Grubbs’ precise bass playing.
Landing near the end, the aptly titled “Easy Going” flows with a breezy, cozy appeal thanks to the skilled rhythm section and Kush’s glowing sax, and “Razor Burn” exits with an uncontainable energy of bouncy, animated song craft that will get your body moving.
Kush also has released some excellent solo albums, and this quartet setting makes for a collaborative affair that’s lush, stirring and an often adventurous body of work.
Travels well with: Doug MacDonald- Big Band Extravaganza; Jared Gold- Reemergence