Medical Cures for the Chromatic Commands of the Inner City

Album Review

Ron Westray is a trombonist whose star is still rising as he searches for his own identity after much documented time with the bands of Wynton Marsalis. This CD with the exorbitantly long title and inexplicably short running time (just over 26 minutes) is an exercise in contemporary jazz with a funky drive, occasional complex horn charts, and a stance that is quite similar to the late-'60s Jazz Crusaders. Static rhythms, soulful infusions, and a fine sense of team work distinguish this music. But because of the briefness of the date, one wonders whether other tracks were edited out, the repertoire was thin, if there is a longer downloadable version, or whether Westray would have been better served to do an extended live concert recording of these pieces. Nonetheless, there's some chunky, danceable music here including the forceful, upbeat, implied swing and basic three-note melody for "Sun Day," the looser, inquisitive "I'm You," and the cool "Loop De Loop." Trumpeter Ryan Kisor and tenor saxophonist Walter Blanding, Jr. work well alongside Westray, especially for the best track "The Jiggy," a retro West Coast soul-jazz nugget, or the Eric Revis bass led, involved, syncopated "Bumpsie's Got It," more a sublevel jam than a tune. Some other low elevation music is here as well, reminiscent of Marsalis, on a main take and reprised reverent, somber version of "Two Words," and the slinky, evasive, tick-tock "Pow Wow." The electric keyboard work of Tony Suggs adds a contemporary element, and sounds like a rhythm guitar at times, while drummer Montez Coleman keeps the clockwork rhythms, many times with turned over sticks on snare, consistent if not unspectacular. Oftimes musicians purposefully leave their audience wanting more, and Westray scratches that surface. One does wonder why this date is shorter than the shortest of LPs in the '50s. It's good, recommended, but at the right price. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Rovi