The Time Keeper

Album Review

Drummer Louis Hayes' credentials are well-established, having served with numerous giants of jazz during his long career, in addition to recording extensively as a leader. With a core band consisting of tenor saxophonist Abraham Burton, pianist Helio Alves, and bassist Santi DeBriano, all of whom are leaders themselves, Hayes kicks off with two potent originals, the hard-charging bop vehicle "Check In" and the pulsing bossa nova "Alani's World." Vibraphonist Steve Nelson is added for a pair of tunes by Horace Silver (one of Hayes' early employers), an engaging bossa nova setting of "Peace" and a soulful take of "The Preacher," both of which showcase Burton very well, too. Burton penned a pair of tunes, including the robust cooker "It's to You" and the challenging "Abellino," the latter having many shifts that proved demanding of the quartet as they rehearsed it at length. The session wraps with two familiar standards: a breezy quintet arrangement of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Double Rainbow" that incorporates the vamp from Miles Davis' "All Blues" into the rhythm section, along with an almost ridiculously fast workout of the normally placid "Angel Eyes." Highly recommended.