I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mosaic: The Music of Gregg Hill, by Rodney Whitaker, and it's strong. Opening with title track, Mosaic, Rodney Whitaker on bass lays down an excellent groove, bound by Rick Roe on piano and Dana Hall on piano. Terell Stafford on trumpet sets the track on fire with excellent solo phrasing, followed by Tim Warfield on soprano sax. Very nice. Roe picks up his own lead on piano with confident improvisation with Warfield and Stafford joining the reconciling refrain giving the floor to Whitaker for a masterful solo on bass. Strong opener. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Claxilever features another crisp lead solo by Stafford on trumpet over tight piano/bass/drum rhythm leading to a super tenor solo by Warfield. Not to be left behind, Roe steps up scorching the ivories and Whitaker well composed bass solo, coaxed on by Roe, and Hall on drums trades riffs with Warfield and Stafford making for another excellent track. Still Life With Tuba is a cool piece with what sounds to me like a modern Brazillian influence. Pairing Rockelle Whitaker's melodic lead vocal with Warfield on sax the melody is formed and Roe's springy piano work carries the load. I like Warfield's warm trumpet dialog paired with the aggressive percussion of Hall and Warfield on soprano sax paired with Whitaker on bass and Roe on piano really is nice. Slow Gin Fizz is another track with a super groove. After and punchy intro by Stafford and Warfield, Whitaker leads the way with a dynamic bass solo, chased by Hall and Roe. Stafford picks up the lead on trumpet with super flow and dynamics. Warfield on tenor sax really works his solo on this one developing an excellent groove and Roe punctuating on piano picks up the lead without losing any momentum. A snappy solo by Hall is accented by nice riffs by Stafford, Warfield and Roe making this another of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is Sunday Special, a more subdued track with a laid back, syncopated pace and interesting melodic solo by Warfield on soprano sax. Stafford picks up the lead adding his voice followed by Roe who gets a bit bluesy in the mix and finally Whitaker who puts an exclamation point on with his bass. Strong closer for a very cool release.
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