| Bassist Rick McLaughlin has become one of the mainstays of the Boston jazz scene, anchoring the Either/Orchestra since 1997, the Jazz Composers Alliance Orchestra, the Felipe Salles Quintet and other groups. He applies formidable technique and musicality to a wide range of music, and always plays with passion and groove.
For his debut as a leader, Rick calls upon two colleagues from the E/O, saxophonist Jeremy Udden and pianist Greg Burk (a Soul Note recording artist). The "drummerless" format highlights McLaughlin's strong time feel, as well as the ability of these three musicians to make a complete, swinging sound. Study of Light displays the kind of elegance and lyricism associated with the jazz heyday of ECM records, but a with a more present and earthy recording sound. Both Burk and Udden play with exceptional poise and creativity.
The varied and well-paced program includes McLaughlin's arrangements of a movement from Ravel's string quartet, a famliar but not clichéd piece; the great bassist Sam Jones' "OP"; German bassist Eberhard Weber's "Colors of Chloe"; the standard "Without a Song"; and originals by McLaughlin and Burk. |