Visiting Dignitaries

Album Review

This is a no-nonsense hard bop date with occasional hints toward classic bebop and today's post bop. Drummer Milo Petersen contributed all of the compositions except for John Coltrane's "Some Other Blues" and most of the music could have been recorded in 1965. However that is not a bad thing, particularly since the melodies are fresh, the chord changes are frequently challenging and the musicianship of the potentially significant Seattle-based players is consistently impressive. One can compare pianist Marc Seales to early Herbie Hancock and can hear touches of Blue Mitchell and Freddie Hubbard in Jay Thomas' sound but in reality each of the musicians is in the process of developing their own voice. The other fine players are Rick Mandyck on tenor and bassist Phil Sparks. Easily recommended to straightahead jazz collectors, someday this session may be looked upon as an all-star date!