I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Perseverance, from Melvin Smith and it's a cool, laid back jazz exploration. Opening with Sound For Sore Ears, a Jimmy Heath composition, Melvin Smith on soprano sax sets the melody with Jeb Patton on piano, Corcoran Holt on bass and Jeremy Warren on drums. Smith's lead work is smooth and Patton's piano work is refined and invigorating. Solid opener. On traditional composition, Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child, Smith takes the lead on tenor sax and paints just enough melody to carry the theme with plenty of rhythm and just the right feel. Again Patton lays in a real nice piano solo giving the track just the right amount of contrast. I like the funky approach on Gettin' It with a hot bottom by Greg Lewis on organ and Warren on drums. Smith just lays in the groove and riffs away on tenor sax and Lewis takes a nice ride on organ giving the track a Jimmy Smith feel. Very nice. Title track, Perseverance is my favorite track on the release with emphatic enthusiasm from each of the contributors. Smith on tenor sax is ripping, Warren's drum work is impeccable, Holt really drives the bass and I love Patton's piano lines. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Bobby Watson's composition, Beatitudes with Smith taking a long fruitful, melodic ride on the base melody. Patton on piano really has a nice hand, further developing the melodic exploration and adding incredible breadth to the presentation. Warren on drums and Holt on bass make the composition much bigger than the four players for a solid closer.
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