Bob Martin has been revered and loved by many
musicians and jazz fans in the U.K. for years, and this album - his
debut as leader on Hard Bop Records - as the title suggests,
provides clear evidence as to why this is the case. Like one of his
main influences, Sonny Stitt, Bob prefers to let his music do the
talking, and has never shown any interest in pretentious
concepts or schemes to hide his playing behind (which is perhaps
why he isn't as well known in the jazz media as he so clearly
should be). But make no mistake, Bob gets new admirers
wherever he plays, and hopefully this album will make a few
more!
Very much in line with this label's ethos, Bob called his
favourite musicians into the studio, and without any rehearsals,
called some of his favourite tunes, and just blew. The intimate
trio setting is the perfect framework for Bob to stretch out
and to show his mastery of the saxophone, and of the idiom. He also
shows good taste in his selection of tunes, and a penchant for
the work of Thelonious Monk, who would surely be pleased with these
renditions of his tunes.
His cohorts more than rise to the musical challenge.
Mike Gorman (who is equally at home - and
swinging - at the piano) mans the B3 Organ console with
remarkable ambidexterity, and adds so much to the music
that one hardly notices the lack of guitar that's usually
present in an organ combo. Steve Brown, on drums,
once again demonstrates why he's so in-demand, by swinging
with so much energy and taste that the music is elevated to a
higher level still.
To sum up, this fiercely swinging set is an excellent example of
what to expect on a typical night in a London club with Bob
Martin and his group at centre stage. To these ears, a
very satisfying musical experience indeed; but don't take my word
for it, here's the evidence, judge for yourselves!